Trump Pushes AI Education In Schools, Rolling Back Obama-Era Policies And Cracking Down On Foreign Funds: 'AI Seems To Be Where It's At'

President Donald Trump signed a distinct set of executive orders on April 23 aimed at reconfiguring U.S. education policy across K-12 and higher education. The directives include encouraging artificial intelligence education in schools, reformulating college accreditation standards, removing former President Barack Obama-era guidance on school discipline, and implementing new transparency rules for foreign funding in universities.

The orders also reiterate support for Historically Black colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and promote workforce development initiatives.

AI Education in High Schools

A crucial order aims at integrating artificial intelligence into high school curricula. The Departments of Education and Labor are directed to expand AI certification programs and partner with states to promote AI instruction. The National Science Foundation will also back research on AI's role in education.

"This is a big deal, because AI seems to be where it’s at," Trump said during the signing in the Oval Office.

Overhaul of College Accreditation

Another order aims at what Trump called "ideological overreach" in higher education. It directs the Education and Justice Departments to investigate accreditors for implementing DEI-based standards that supposedly go against federal civil rights laws. The order warns of repercussions like suspension or revocation of accreditation recognition. According to the White House, the objective is to "eliminate unlawful discrimination, promote academic freedom and intellectual inquiry, and restore accountability."

See Also: $44 Billion At Risk: Trump’s Crackdown On International Students Threatens U.S. Higher Ed And Economy

Rollback of School Discipline Guidance

Trump also revoked a 2014 Obama-era directive that encouraged schools to examine why students of color were disciplined more often. The new order says that policies like these lead to weakened discipline standards.

Ban on Disparate-Impact Liability

Trump also signed an order that challenges the legal concept of "disparate impact," where neutral policies are seen as discriminatory based on unequal impacts. Trump said the concept compels schools to discriminate "to achieve predetermined, race-oriented outcomes." His order states: "This Executive Order restores the true promise of the Civil Rights Movement—a system that does not differentiate between Americans based on race."

Workforce Development and Apprenticeships

The Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education has been directed to propose a strategy within 90 days listing skills in demand and creating education programs according to the list. The initiative aims "to fully equip the American worker to produce world-class products and implement world-leading technologies."

Changes to HBCU Policy

Another Trump order terminates the EPA's HBCU and Minority Serving Institutions Advisory Council, but also highlights the creation of new opportunities through private-sector partnerships and leadership development. He described HBCUs as "beacons of educational excellence and economic opportunity."

Disclosure of Foreign Funding at Universities

The final order cites investigations during Trump's first term that showed $6.5 billion in previously unreported foreign funds given to universities. "It is the policy of my Administration to end the secrecy surrounding foreign funds… and safeguard America's students and research from foreign exploitation," he said in the White House statement.

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