In the upcoming 2024 race, former President Donald Trump seems to be taking a page out of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ book by prioritizing education policies. In recent years, DeSantis has made education reform a top priority in Florida, implementing measures such as expanding school choice options and increasing teacher salaries. Now, Trump appears to be looking to catch up in this area, with education being a central theme in his recent speeches and interviews.

One of Trump’s primary goals for education reform is to increase school choice options for American families. He believes that parents should have the power to decide which schools their children attend, regardless of their zip code or income level. This includes expanding charter schools, school voucher programs, and homeschooling options. Trump argues that competition among schools will lead to improved academic outcomes for all students, as schools will have to work harder to attract and retain students.

Another key area of focus for Trump is promoting vocational education and job skills training. He believes that not all students will want to pursue a traditional college education and that there should be more emphasis on providing students with the skills needed to succeed in trades and technical fields. Trump has proposed expanding apprenticeship programs and partnerships between schools and businesses to provide students with real-world work experience.

In addition to expanding school choice and vocational education, Trump has also expressed support for increasing teacher pay and reducing bureaucratic red tape in education. He has criticized the Common Core standards and federal overreach in education, arguing that states and local communities should have more control over their own education systems.

While education has traditionally not been a top priority for Republican presidential candidates, this could be changing. With DeSantis’ success in implementing education reforms in Florida and Trump’s increasing focus on the issue, education could become a key issue in the 2024 race. As the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of education and the challenges facing American schools, it is likely that voters will be paying closer attention to education policy in the coming years.

Overall, Trump seems to be looking to catch up to DeSantis and establish himself as a leader in education policy in the Republican party. Whether or not this focus on education will resonate with voters remains to be seen, but it is clear that education will be an important issue to watch in the 2024 race.