Kamala Harris’s Education Policies: A Vision For Equity and Access in American Education
Photo via: Office of the Vice President
In the final weeks before the election, the candidates have presented two contrasting visions for the future of the American education system. Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party have a plan so let's dive into the content of their proposed policies.
As stated in the Democratic Party’s education platform, there are four main policies they plan to put into place should she win the upcoming presidential election. These policies are guaranteeing universal early childhood education, supporting high quality K-12 schools across America, making higher education affordable and accessible, and providing borrowers relief from crushing student debt.
An important part of Harris’s education platform is the concept of student loan forgiveness. Harris and the Democratic Party have called for an additional $10,000 in student debt forgiveness for all borrowers, regardless of income. She has also brought up and exemplified the idea of cracking down on private colleges that, she claims, unfairly charge tuition.
On top of student loan forgiveness, the Democratic Party has suggested an even more ambitious proposal of tuition-free college for students whose families earn less than $125,000 annually. Her platform also pushes for doubling the maximum award for the Pell Grant (a federal financial grant for low income students), as well as increasing funding for child care services on college campuses.
On the topic of early childhood education, Harris and the Democratic Party have indicated they plan to increase funding for preschools and early childhood education in general. As with the Biden Administration, she has expressed her strong desire to increase the amount of protections for LGBTQ+ students in American schools using Title IX protections. Moreover, she plans to increase educational opportunities in impoverished communities and provide equitable funding for their school districts.
In regards to the Department of Education, which Trump has repeatedly suggested downsizing, Kamala Harris intends to pump additional funding into the department. One of the key proposals Kamala Harris has advocated for within the Department of Education is the increase in funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, minority educational institutions, and low income schools.
Harris’ generally progressive education policies and her support for an increase in teacher salaries led to her endorsement by the American Federation of Teachers, which became the first union to endorse her on July 22.
These policies will have a monumental effect on Athens, college students, and American society in general. Time will only tell what additions or changes to these policies will occur as we approach the presidential election this November.