Recent developments have sparked significant debate around the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) funding and policies, particularly in California. The federal ED has recently cut $101 million from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and is terminating nearly $1 billion in contracts. These moves have raised concerns about the department’s commitment to educational independence and parental choice.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has come under fire for his actions against independent educational institutions. For example, he has targeted Grand Canyon University (GCU), labeling it as a “predatory for-profit school.” This has led to a $37.7 million fine against GCU, which some critics argue is part of a broader agenda to undermine educational choice.
The history of educational policy in California reveals a pattern of resistance to school choice. Former state superintendent Bill Honig, who served from 1983 to 1993, authored articles against privatizing public education while simultaneously benefiting from the state’s education system. Honig was convicted of felony conflict-of-interest charges in 1992, highlighting issues of accountability within the education bureaucracy.
Delaine Eastin, Honig’s successor, also opposed school-choice initiatives. Under her leadership, the California Department of Education faced allegations of misappropriating over $20 million to ineligible organizations. This scandal was exacerbated when Eastin allegedly fired whistleblowers who brought the fraud to light.
California’s educational landscape has been shaped by various governors, including Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom. Brown appointed Honig to the State Board of Education, while Newsom has been criticized for sending his children to private schools without advocating for similar opportunities for low-income families. Instead, Newsom has focused on policies related to gender identity in schools, including signing legislation that limits parental notification about students’ gender transitions.
The recent actions by the ED and the historical context of California’s education system have led many to question the fairness of the current educational policies. Critics argue that the bureaucracy often mismanages funds and limits parental choice, leaving many families feeling sidelined in the education of their children.
As these issues continue to unfold, the conversation around educational reform and parental rights remains at the forefront of political discourse in California and beyond.