What can educators expect when President-Elect Trump takes office as the 47th President of the United States next year?

That’s the question on everyone’s mind, and the NSTA Legislative and Advocacy team is here to help read the tea leaves with you as we approach Inauguration Day.

The American First Policy Institute (AFPI), the nonprofit that has served as primary policy brain trust for the Trump campaign this past year, has policy materials that will likely be used to inform the Trump 47 Administration’s position on key issues. Here are links to some of the AFPI’s education policy materials on Education and  K–12 Education.

Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, led the America First Action PAC in support of Trump’s reelection. According to Education Week, McMahon, a co-founder and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment with husband Vince McMahon, studied in college to be a French teacher before joining her husband’s company, and was appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009. She resigned from the state board a year later and has made two unsuccessful bids for the state’s Senate seat.

As expected, the NEA reaction to McMahon’s nomination was harsh. National Education Association President Beck Pringle said, “By selecting Linda McMahon, Donald Trump is showing that he could not care less about our students’ futures. Rather than working to strengthen public schools, expand learning opportunities for students, and support educators, [McMahon’s] only mission is to eliminate the Department of Education and take away taxpayer dollars from public schools.’’

Read more about Linda McMahon from these publications.

• The 74: Trump Taps Linda McMahon, Donor and Former Wrestling Exec, to Be Education Chief 
• Politico: Trump Taps Linda McMahon for Education Secretary
• AP: What to Know About Linda McMahon, Trump’s Pick for Education Secretary
• Education Week: Trump's Education Secretary Pick Is Linda McMahon, Former WWE CEO
• RealClearEducation: Make Education Great Again!

Looking to the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, many advocates believe the White House and Congressional leaders will want to reauthorize the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act via the reconciliation process. That effort could include a school choice issue—most likely a substantial tax-credit program, similar to the Educational Choice for Children Act.

In the weeks ahead, the NSTA Legislative and Advocacy team will be working to keep you informed about the final days of the 118th Congress and about plans to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, drafting a transition letter to the new administration, and explaining how the new Congress shakes out on education. 

Stay tuned for more advocacy and policy updates in future issues of NSTA Reports and NSTA Weekly.

The mission of NSTA is to transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships, and advocacy.