Trump’s Second Inauguration: How Education Groups Are Reacting Donald Trump is about to become president again, and schools, colleges, and education groups are doing a bunch of stuff to get ready. Some are helping students get involved, others are offering support, and many are worried about big changes Trump might make to education rules.
Colleges Help Students Deal with Stress
Lots of schools and colleges know that Trump becoming president again might upset or stress students and teachers. For example, Emory University’s health school created a guide to help students handle “inauguration anxiety.” A psychologist named Dr. Rachel Waford said students should take breaks from news and hang out with friends or family to feel better.
“Some kids are scared or unsure about what’s happening,” she said. “Stick to things that make you feel good—like your family, friends, or favorite hobbies.”
Places like Georgetown and Northwestern are setting up chill spots with snacks, puzzles, and fun stuff to help students relax after the election.
International Students Told to Come Back Early
Some colleges are telling students from other countries to get back to the U.S. before Trump’s big day. Schools like Cornell, MIT, USC, Harvard, and Penn State are worried that Trump might make new rules that stop some students from coming in. They think he could bring back a travel ban that blocks people from countries like Iran, Libya, and North Korea—and maybe even add places like China or India.
USC said, “New rules might mess up travel or visas, so try to be back before January 20.”
Trump Wants to Get Rid of the Education Department
Trump picked Linda McMahon to be the new Education Secretary, and he told her to start shutting down the U.S. Department of Education. McMahon doesn’t have experience with school stuff, but she’s excited to follow Trump’s plan to let states and towns run schools on their own.
Experts say Trump can’t just close the department by himself—he needs Congress to agree. Some lawmakers say they’ll fight to keep it open. People like Randi Weingarten, who leads a big teachers’ group, are mad because they think this will hurt kids who need extra help—like poor students, kids with disabilities, or those who need money for college.
LGBTQ+ and Civil Rights Groups Are Worried
Groups that support LGBTQ+ rights, like GLSEN and the Human Rights Campaign, say getting rid of the Education Department could hurt students who don’t always get treated fairly. They’re afraid schools won’t have to follow rules that protect LGBTQ+ kids.
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers from GLSEN said, “Trump’s plan attacks students’ rights and uses LGBTQ+ kids as targets to push his ideas.”
David Johns from the National Black Justice Collective thinks this is a trick to help rich people while making things harder for students from minority groups.
Schools and Students Take Action
Some school districts, like Los Angeles Unified, are promising to keep undocumented students safe by not letting immigration officers onto school grounds. Meanwhile, student groups in Chicago, like Students for Justice in Palestine and Students for a Democratic Society, are planning protests against Israel and Trump’s plans.
Civics Groups See a Chance to Learn
Not everyone is just worried—some groups want kids to get involved. The Close Up Foundation is taking middle schoolers to Washington, D.C., to learn about democracy during the inauguration. They want students to see how the government works in real life.
Emma Humphries from iCivics says schools should talk about what’s happening. “Classrooms are perfect for learning about democracy,” she said. “If we skip these talks, kids won’t learn how to handle disagreements.”
With Trump’s inauguration approaching, education groups are doing all kinds of things—helping kids feel okay, protecting their rights, or teaching them about government. Everyone’s thinking about how these significant changes will affect students nationwide.
