Megan O’Matz and Jennifer Smith Richards,    -  ProPublicaStephan: A successful democracy requires a literate, numerate, educated citizenry. Everyone, going back to the Athenians of the fifth century BCE, has recognized this. That is why I have been closely following what the Trump Republican fascist coup has been doing to public education. It is getting worse and worse, as this article describes and, as a result, American children are amongst the least literate school children in the developed democracies, or China. That bodes very poorly for the future of democracy in America. In just over eight months, the second Trump administration has made a rapid succession of political hires and policy decisions at the U.S. Department of Education that could spur profound changes in the way schools are operated and children learn. After years of advocating to expand private and religious education and homeschooling, using tax dollars, a cadre of conservative activists is in a position to push forward its agenda. Some of its policies are already undermining public schools, which it has denigrated as unsuccessful and out of step with Christian values, a ProPublica investigation found. In many communities, public schools are valued hubs for community life and services, including meals, socializing and counseling. More than 80% of students are enrolled in traditional public schools, which must serve all children, including those with disabilities. The administration, however, views public schools as a monopoly that should be broken up. “Millions of young Americans are trapped in failing schools, subjected to radical anti-American ideology,” Education Department Secretary Linda McMahon claimed immediately after taking office. She and others in the administration believe [...]

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