During the summer months, educators across the country flock to professional development conferences, often on the taxpayers’ dime. These events are supposed to sharpen the instructional skills of teachers and equip them with new methods for helping students succeed, addressing real challenges of education, such as declining test scores, reading comprehension, and math proficiency.
But as Defending Education’s analysis of the programming shows, what actually dominates these conferences is not literacy strategies or math interventions.
Instead, the recurring themes are race, social justice, gender, activism, and equity. From English to math, and from history to science, the same ideological buzzwords surface again and again. It’s little wonder parents are concerned, or that the nation has grown more politically divided.
Take the National Education Association (NEA), the country’s largest teachers union. At its <a href="https://web.cvent.com/event/555fe259-c382-4f14-87b0-319c288f9e68/websitePage:83a0a9c7-c495-4fe0-ad95-5eb99de3dbc2">Conference on Racial and Social Justice</a> in Portland this summer, activism, not academics, took center stage.
Unions like the NEA make no effort to hide their contempt for Donald Trump and the values of his supporters. At its annual Representative Assembly, the union <a href="https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/20250706-ratoday-issue-5.pdf">approved business items</a> labeling Trump’s agenda as “fascist” and opposing efforts to eliminate the Department of Education, which it called racist and anti-democratic. In direct response to a Supreme Court decision (Mahmoud v. Taylor) affirming religious parents’ rights to opt their children out of LGBTQ curricula, the NEA allocated $209,000 to push back and expand LGBTQ advocacy in schools. In total, the NEA committed more than $340,000 <a href="https://defendinged.org/incidents/national-education-association-approves-business-items-accusing-president-trump-of-fascism-and-authoritarianism-opposing-supreme-court-ruling-and-not-using-adl-materials/">toward initiatives</a> designed to counter conservative policies.
This union-driven activism is not confined to Portland. Across the country, teachers are being coached to use classrooms as platforms for reshaping opinions on society’s most sensitive issues. Students are not simply taught about history or literature; they are encouraged to become activists themselves. The worldview behind this approach borrows heavily from Marxist theory, framing society as an endless struggle between oppressors and the oppressed. That lens is being embedded into lesson plans, teacher training, and classroom culture, gradually shifting education away from its original purpose — academic instruction — toward political reeducation.
The sessions at NEA’s conference illustrate this shift. One workshop, “Building Narrative Power for Education Justice,” trained teachers to use storytelling to fight “anti-truth” and anti-LGBTQ legislation. Another warned about “White Christian nationalist forces” allegedly exploiting pan-Asian communities. Additional sessions covered “racial battle fatigue,” blurred lines between racism and ableism, and framed climate change as disproportionately harming communities of color, women, and students with disabilities. One even linked the MAGA movement to Jim Crow and Native land theft. Teachers were urged to affirm transgender student identities, disrupt curriculum challenges, and fight political opponents under the banner of education justice.
The conference also promoted the <a href="https://custom.cvent.com/820B5689CD804AEAA83FC39F9FBC8CD3/files/0a702792cebf4a3ea1c9b294c6c985b5.pdf">NEA’s pronoun guide</a>, which encourages teachers to adopt nontraditional pronouns such as ze, zir, zirs, and zirself, and to display their own pronouns as a sign of being a “safe person.” Misgendering, teachers were told, is itself a form of marginalization.
While parents worry about declining math and reading scores, union-sponsored trainings are focused on dismantling ableism, confronting White Christian nationalism, and embedding queer theory into K–12 classrooms. These are not the priorities of most American families, but within the union bubble, they are treated as urgent and non-negotiable. 
And it’s not just the NEA. The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) filled its 2024 <a href="https://s1.goeshow.com/ncte/annual/2024/conference_program_sessions.cfm">conference with sessions</a> such as “Disrupting the Canon with LGBTQIA+ Themes,” “Queer and Trans-Affirming Education,” and “Antiracist Pedagogy Workshop.”
In a perfect example encapsulating how this ideology makes its way into the classroom, one teacher at a school district in New York <a href="https://www.jecsd.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=3211">reframed Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”</a> as a “cli-fi,” or climate fiction text, using the play as a vehicle to teach climate change.
Math education has not been spared either. <a href="https://www.nctm.org/atlanta2025/">The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’</a> (NCTM) <a href="https://defendinged.org/incidents/the-national-council-of-teachers-of-mathematics-2025-annual-meeting-features-sessions-on-black-feminist-mathematics-pedagogy-antiracist-math-equitable-grading-social-justice-and-whiteness/">2024 conference</a> features sessions on antiracist math, whiteness, and social justice.
One session, <a href="https://www.aievolution.com/ntm2501/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEv&amp;ev=1951">Reflecting on My Whiteness</a>, describes math itself as a “white, patriarchal space” and offers strategies to “confront the oppressive forces of whiteness” and “dismantle inequitable practices” in the classroom. <a href="https://www.aievolution.com/ntm2501/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEv&amp;ev=2046">Another highlights</a> how black women in math education “disrupt systems of oppression” and center “Black Girl Joy.” A third, <a href="https://www.aievolution.com/ntm2501/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEv&amp;ev=1930">Democracy and Data</a>, claims math should be used to advance democratic participation through a social justice lens.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) follows the same script. At its <a href="https://web.cvent.com/event/b256b940-7874-4081-a4af-34edc50fd735/summary">July conference</a>, sessions focused on “racial harm,” “LGBTQIA+ allyship,” climate activism, and “mass mobilization training.” Teachers were also told to resist curriculum oversight as a political attack. In one session, the AFT admitted the obvious: the pandemic had a “devastating effect” on student literacy.
Yet, the same union that now bemoans literacy loss was a key player in lobbying to keep schools closed during COVID, a decision that fueled the very learning setbacks reflected in the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores. Despite <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Elementary_and_Secondary_School_Emergency_Relief_%28ESSER%29_funding_by_state?utm_">$190 billion</a> in federal COVID-19 relief funds, the data indicate a failing K–12 education system.
Meanwhile, many educators are turning to <a href="https://defendinged.org/ethnicstudies/">ethnic studies</a>, often presented through a victim–oppressor lens. The radical ethnic studies group, Xicanx Institute for Teaching and Organizing (XITO), held a <a href="https://www.xicanxinstitute.org/summer-2025">2024 Summer Institute</a> that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/xitotucson/p/DKk82TWSPMe/">promoted</a> “decolonial popular education” and urged educators to view teaching as a political weapon. Its sessions featured activists tied to <a href="https://www.ethnicstudiespedagogies.org/gallery/07%20-%20TIAHUI%20-%20A%20Decolonial%20Framework.pdf">anti-Western and antisemitic rhetoric</a>, with the explicit goal of uniting street activism and classroom instruction. And yes, school districts are footing the bill with taxpayer dollars for teachers to attend.
The common thread across these trainings is the glorification of victimhood and activism, with teachers encouraged to turn students into activists for leftist causes. Rather than instilling confidence and agency, this mindset risks fostering learned helplessness, where students believe success is unattainable without intervention.
Summer training conferences are less about improving learning outcomes and more about transforming classrooms into engines of political activism — serving unions and activist groups, but leaving behind the very students schools are meant to serve.
* * *
Kendall Tietz is an investigative reporter for Defending Education.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

MixCollage-18-Sep-2025-09-53-AM-6641

The Public School Activist Pipeline: ‘A Joyous Rebellion’

Anti-Racism

Education

Equity

Leftists

LGBTQ

National Education Association

Public Schools

Students

Teachers

Teachers Unions

WASHINGTON—The Education Department is partnering with a coalition of private organizations to revive civics education in American public schools and on college campuses, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced today.
The America 250 Civics Education Coalition “is dedicated to renewing patriotism, strengthening civic knowledge, and advancing a shared understanding of America’s founding principles in schools across the nation,” the coalition said in a press release.
McMahon officially launched the coalition at an event in the nation’s capital on Wednesday — Constitution Day — alongside coalition partners from the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more.
&#8220;Civic knowledge, engagement, and constitutional literacy among our youth — I&#8217;m going to say it&#8217;s in decline, but I could almost say it is absent,&#8221; McMahon said at the event, adding that she&#8217;s been &#8220;dismayed&#8221; by &#8220;the lack of enthusiasm for our country&#8221; she&#8217;s encountered at schools across America.
&#8220;Why don&#8217;t these young people love America?&#8221; she asked. &#8220;Because they don&#8217;t know America.&#8221;
&#8220;We have to restore this love of patriotism,&#8221; she added. &#8220;We have a president who takes the flag and hugs it! Let&#8217;s see if we can&#8217;t bring back that spirit of love and devotion to our country.&#8221;
The America 250 Civics Education Coalition “will unveil a robust programming agenda” in the coming year, including a “Fundamental Liberties College Speaker Series” that will bring speakers to all 50 states and “The Trail to Independence Tour,” a K-12-focused guide to how each state joined the union.
The group also aims to foster civic engagement in schools by distributing toolkits to teachers and honoring students with “a competition recognizing student knowledge of American history.”
The coalition builds on the Trump administration’s efforts to promote traditional civics education in the United States. President Donald Trump, in his first term, launched the 1776 Commission, a response to The New York Times’ revisionist 1619 Project.
“Rather than learning to hate one’s country or the world for its inevitable wrongs, the well-educated student learns to appreciate and cherish the oases of civilization,” the 1776 Commission wrote in its <a href="https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Presidents-Advisory-1776-Commission-Final-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">final report</a>. “In the American context, an essential purpose of this honest approach is to encourage citizens to embrace and cultivate love of country.”
Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn, a member of the 1776 Commission, said at Wednesday&#8217;s event that America was currently engaged in its third great crisis, following the American Revolution and the Civil War.
All three crises shared the same central feature, Arnn noted: &#8220;We&#8217;re fighting about the meaning of our central idea.&#8221;
&#8220;We&#8217;re in a crisis because there&#8217;s a disagreement about the purpose of the Declaration of Independence today,&#8221; Arnn said. The Hillsdale president stressed that education, not conflict, will solve the problem.
&#8220;Charlie Kirk was murdered,&#8221; Arnn said, recalling his fellow 1776 Commission member who was assassinated one week ago. &#8220;They killed him. It didn&#8217;t settle anything.&#8221;
Kirk&#8217;s memory hung over Wednesday&#8217;s event, and the late activist was invoked by several speakers, including TPUSA&#8217;s Chief Education Officer, Hutz Hertzberg.
&#8220;We believe that though Charlie had an incredible influence,&#8221; Hertzberg said, &#8220;his influence will extend in even greater ways than it did in his life.&#8221;
&#8220;That&#8217;s why this partnership is so important. By locking arms together, we can do more to accomplish the very things that Charlie stood for.&#8221;
Erika Donalds, one of the commission&#8217;s co-chairs and wife of Florida Congressman Byron Donalds (R.), noted that the coalition aims to snuff out violent attitudes among American youth.
&#8220;If our students truly understood the Constitution of the United States, they would never think that violence is the answer,&#8221; she said.
More than 40 groups have joined the coalition, including the Heritage Foundation, the American Principles Project, PragerU, and the Claremont Institute.
In bolstering classroom efforts, the civics coalition aims to boost patriotism across the country. Just 58% of Americans say they are &#8220;extremely&#8221; or &#8220;very proud&#8221; to be an American, according to a <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/692150/american-pride-slips-new-low.aspx">recent Gallup poll</a> — a record low.
Reversing this trend has been a major focus of President Trump&#8217;s second term. In addition to reviving the 1776 Commission, which President Joe Biden shuttered shortly after taking office, the president has ordered the Smithsonian and all taxpayer-funded museums to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-vows-to-gut-wokeness-from-our-museums-we-are-not-going-to-allow-this">eliminate</a> &#8220;woke&#8221; exhibits, lamenting last month that the Smithsonian is solely focused on &#8220;how horrible our country is, how bad slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been,&#8221; with &#8220;nothing about success, nothing about brightness, nothing about the future.&#8221;
Greg Sindelar, Interim President and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, noted that new AFPI polling found that 73% of Americans believe their children aren&#8217;t getting a good civics education, while 93% say all Americans do not know enough about their history. That ignorance, Sindelar said, is directly responsible for the rise in anti-American sentiments among the populace.
&#8220;To know America is to love her,&#8221; he said. &#8220;This is the real purpose of what this coalition is doing.&#8221;
&#8220;Together we are making history and we are teaching history,&#8221; he added. &#8220;To remember who we are, and what America is.&#8221;
In his remarks, Arnn stressed that actually reading the Founding documents and writings of the men who built this country is &#8220;the exercise we have to go through today if we are to recover ourselves.&#8221;
&#8220;We are going to lose our nation if we lose its central idea,&#8221; Arnn said. &#8220;And therefore there is no more urgent work, no more work dispositive of the future, than to read, and celebrate, and learn about&#8221; the Declaration of Independence and the tradition of American liberty.
&#8220;Learning and freedom go together, and ignorance and slavery go together,&#8221; Arnn added. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to choose one of those pairs.&#8221;
Donalds was optimistic that the coalition would ensure America chooses the former pair, saying the group&#8217;s ultimate goal is &#8220;to ensure that our children, our grandchildren, and generations to come are able to have this same celebration of pride in America at its 500th anniversary, 250 years from now.&#8221;

First Lady Melania Trump Hosts White House Task Force On AI Education

Trump Education Department Partners With TPUSA, Hillsdale College To Revive Civics Education

Charlie Kirk

Hillsdale College

Linda McMahon

Trump Administration

The State of Texas will strip more than 100 teachers of their certifications over their “reprehensible and inappropriate” social media posts about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Gov. Greg Abbott <a href="https://x.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1967686867689902503">said</a> on Tuesday.
The Lone Star State launched an investigation Friday, reporting educators that “have proliferated such vile content,” Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath wrote in a <a href="https://x.com/CameronSAbrams/status/1966616519862837444">letter</a> to superintendents. The state has already received roughly 180 complaints, <a href="https://x.com/CameronSAbrams/status/1967645860336111976">according</a> to The Texan.
“While the exercise of free speech is a fundamental right we are all blessed to share, it does not give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives,” the letter read.
<div id="attachment_972379" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-972379" class="wp-image-972379 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1-864x576.jpg" alt="OREM, UTAH - SEPTEMBER 10: Charlie Kirk throws hats to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his &quot;American Comeback Tour&quot; when he was shot in the neck and killed." width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images</div>
Several incidents of Texas teachers making such comments have circulated online since Kirk’s assassination.
One Pflugerville ISD employee posted that she refused “to feel bad about the death of a Nazi,” according to a post shared by Republican State Rep. Hillary Hickland.
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<div class="subscriber-only">
Klein Independent School District (ISD) <a href="https://x.com/KleinISD/status/1966534736941031785">shared</a> that a “now former employee” made “unacceptable remarks” regarding Kirk’s “tragic death.”
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Republican Texas State Sen. Mayes Middleton called for the teachers to not only be fired, but to be placed on “do-not-hire registries.”
“Educators cheering murder must not only be fired, but also placed on do-not-hire registries and stripped of their certifications. There must be zero tolerance for this,” Middleton told The Daily Wire.
“Their behavior proves they are unworthy of ever being entrusted with educating students again. No half measures and no passing the trash — our children must be protected from these vile individuals. I will fight to ensure they are held fully accountable,” he added.
<div id="attachment_850589" style="width: 843px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-850589" class="wp-image-850589 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-833x576.jpg" alt="" width="833" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-833x576.jpg 833w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-300x207.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-768x531.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-1536x1062.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-2048x1416.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px" />Charlie Kirk, president and founder of Turning Point USA, speaks during Turning Point’s annual AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 22, 2024. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)</div>
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charlie-kirk-leading-conservative-activist-and-father-dead-at-31?author=Tim+Rice&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Charlie+Kirk%2C+Leading+Conservative+Activist+And+Father%2C+Dead+At+31">The Turning Point USA founder</a> was shot dead on Wednesday while giving a speech at Utah Valley University. The alleged shooter, later identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, fired a single bullet that struck Kirk, 31, in the neck from the roof of a building on campus that was adjacent to a courtyard where the event was being held, according to authorities.
The suspected assassin was captured on Thursday after his father recognized him in photographs released by authorities and told him to turn himself in. Robinson also appeared to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/suspected-charlie-kirk-assassin-to-make-first-court-appearance-placed-on-special-watch">confess</a> on Discord that he had killed Kirk, writing, “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this.”

Greg Abbott

Over 100 Texas Teachers Suspended For ‘Reprehensible’ Social Media Posts About Charlie Kirk

Over 100 Texas Teachers Suspended For 'Reprehensible' Social Media Posts About Charlie Kirk's Assass

Texas

I started following Charlie Kirk the moment he stepped on the stage of American politics. I watched him mature in his role as founder of Turning Point USA, and I distinctly remember admiring him for shifting its mission with the realization that the battle for America was not just a political battle, but a spiritual one as well. I was so enamored that I used to imagine being on Charlie’s show — but who was I?
And then it happened. God gave me a chance to be courageous. As a teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia, one of the most controversial school districts in the country, I realized God’s truth was more important than my job security, and I took a stand. Alliance Defending Freedom represented me in a <a href="https://adflegal.org/case/cross-v-loudoun-county-school-board/?utm_source=dailywire&amp;utm_medium=oped">lawsuit</a> against LCPS’s transgender policy. We sued to protect free speech and religious freedom, and to advocate for the truth of God’s design.
Charlie Kirk was the first major media personality to invite us to share our story.
Charlie used his platform to take someone considered a “nobody” and elevate her. That is the kind of man he was. He looked to elevate others rather than himself. I have no doubt that, though I was represented by a prestigious legal organization, it was talking with Charlie on his show that made my witness visible and opened other opportunities for me to see God’s goodness in the midst of spiritual battle.
I’m a high school government teacher. I knew, even as I cried over the loss of Charlie and grieved for his wife and children, that I had many students who loved him. I needed the courage to go into school and talk with my classes about this tragic moment for our nation.
Here is what I said to all of my classes:
<blockquote>“One of Charlie Kirk’s repeated themes was how important it is to talk to one another. He often said when people stop talking, that’s when bad things happen. In a marriage, when people stop talking, divorce follows. In society, when people stop talking, that’s when violence happens. One of Charlie’s missions was to train a generation—your generation—how to do politics the right way, how to engage in honest, respectful civil discourse, especially with those whom you disagree.
“One of the things we’ll be learning in studying the Constitution is that there are two ways to govern people: by talking or by force. Democracies govern by talking. That means engaging respectfully with each other, arguing to persuade one another, discussing, negotiating, compromising, and deciding together how to move forward knowing not everyone is going to agree on everything but figuring out how to live together well even in our differences.
“Over the last few days we’ve learned about healthy and unhealthy civil society. The assassination of Charlie Kirk is the epitome of unhealthy civil society. Charlie believed in faith, family, and freedom. Because he was so confident in what he believed and spoke boldly about it, he was silenced…. Again, there are only two ways of governing people: by talking or by force. If we stop talking, there is only one other option.”</blockquote>
In 30 years, I’ve taught four generations of youth. In many ways, the kids of each generation have been the same — trying to grow up, find their identity, and navigate teenage angst. But over the last two years, I’ve noticed a shift.
For almost a decade, when it was time to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, almost no students recited it. Some even refused to stand. Now everyone stands and recites the pledge. I’ve noticed a hunger for truth and a desire for more than slogans.
Now, more students courageously express their faith in school. It’s not every kid, but it is enough to inspire hope, and I believe that Charlie Kirk’s mission is part of the reason for it. His movement has had a ripple effect, even on the kids who have not necessarily followed him. His footprint is that big.
Charlie Kirk was hated because he was confident in what he believed, gifted at persuading others, and a man of integrity. Proverbs 29:10 says, “The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright.” Jesus told his followers that “the world hates me, and they will hate you because of me.” Goodness evokes one of two reactions from people: hostility or attraction. Those who are attracted want to embrace and merge with that goodness. Those who are hostile to goodness see it as a threat. Simply living right and being a person of integrity will invite hostility.
To our youth: You have a choice. Now is the moment for courage, the time to decide to do what is right, even knowing that it may cost you greatly. My prayer is that this generation, inspired by Charlie Kirk, will stiffen their spines and stand to fight for the same virtues that he stood for so that we may win back the soul of America.
* * *
Monica Gill is a government teacher at Loudoun County High School.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Charlie Kirk Speaks At The Cambridge Union

A Teacher’s Tribute: What Charlie Kirk Taught Me And My Students

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)

Christianity

Free Speech

Loudoun County

Turning Point USA

Virginia

Florida officials promised Thursday to discipline teachers who celebrate the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas sent a memo to school superintendents saying that there would be consequences for employees who celebrate or mock the killing of Kirk, who was gunned down on Wednesday while holding an event at Utah Valley University.
“It has been brought to my attention that some Florida educators have posted despicable comments on social media regarding the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk. These few are not a reflection of the great, high-quality teachers who make up the vast majority of Florida&#8217;s educators,” he wrote in the memo. “Nevertheless, I will be conducting an investigation of every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Teachers are held to a higher standard as public servants and must ensure their conduct does not undermine the trust of the students and families they serve. We will hold teachers who choose to make disgusting comments about the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk accountable.… <a href="https://t.co/KzXCCGkvZm">pic.twitter.com/KzXCCGkvZm</a>
— Anastasios Kamoutsas (@StasiKamoutsas) <a href="https://twitter.com/StasiKamoutsas/status/1966194627578384748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
While tributes for Kirk poured in following news of his death, many leftists responded by mocking Kirk or celebrating his death. A dean of students at Middle Tennessee State University was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-university-dean-fired-after-saying-she-had-no-sympathy-for-charlie-kirk?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=Tennessee+University+Dean+Fired+After+Saying+She+Had+%E2%80%98No+Sympathy%E2%80%99+For+Charlie+Kirk">fired</a> Wednesday after she said she had “zero sympathy” for Kirk.
Kamoutsas noted that while teachers have First Amendment rights, comments they make could violate professional codes of conduct that they are required to follow.
“Although educators have First Amendment rights, these rights do not extend without limit into their professional duties,” he wrote in the memo. “An educator&#8217;s personal views that are made public may undermine the trust of the students and families that they serve.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised Kamoutsas for the memo.
“Celebrating the assassination of a 31-year-old father of two young kids is disturbing; that teachers would be among those who do so is completely unacceptable,” he <a href="https://x.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1966210462011576409">said</a>. “Glad [Kamoutsas] is bringing accountability. It is sad that we’ve seen a number of teachers across America celebrate Charlie Kirk’s murder.”
Other individuals across the country have also lost their jobs over posts made about Kirk’s death, including at the University of Mississippi.
&#8220;Yesterday, a University of Mississippi staff member re-shared hurtful, insensitive comments on social media regarding the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk,” University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce <a href="https://x.com/OleMiss/status/1966202655706865785">said</a> Thursday. &#8220;These comments run completely counter to our institutional values of civility, fairness, and respecting the dignity of each person. We condemn these actions, and this staff member is no longer employed by the university.”

Governor DeSantis Hold News Conference On Border Security

Florida Pledges To Hold Teachers ‘Accountable’ Who Celebrate Charlie Kirk’s Death

Florida

Ron DeSantis

Few things are more important than the education of our young people. 
That’s why, when the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released the <a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/">Nation’s Report Card</a> earlier this week, I became concerned. Average scores among 8th and 12th grade students were lower across all three primary assessments — science, math, and reading. For example, only 22% of 12th graders were proficient at their level of mathematics and 35% were proficient at their level of reading.
Scores like these should remind all of us just how important a high-quality education is for every student. While these scores are discouraging, I believe when parents and students are given a choice in education and the right leadership is in place, we will see test scores like these go up, not down. 
Most students spend more awake time in school than at home during the week and thousands of families are counting on their state officials to deliver for their children. That’s why I’m running for governor of South Carolina, to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education – whether that’s their local traditional public school, a high-performing public charter school, or a high-quality private school. I am confident that there are thousands of outstanding teachers across South Carolina, but there are also gaps in excellence in far too many places.
I’ve spent my career in business and understand that competition makes everyone better. When traditional public schools are competing against private and public charter schools, it drives innovation, efficiency, and a desire for excellence. This free-market principle is what creates great organizations that serve people well, and it’s the same principle that will improve education for South Carolina students.
Status quo politicians and special interests have tried to pit education freedom against great public schools. I fundamentally reject this flawed argument. I attended public school and many of my grandchildren currently attend public school – and I strongly support education freedom. South Carolina parents deserve the opportunity to choose what’s best for their child.
Fortunately, South Carolina has made significant strides in improving student-centered education over the past few years, but we have room to grow. As governor, my mission will be to improve public education, increase education freedom, and ensure high school graduates are ready for a job or college.
We know what moves the needle in public education – great teachers in classrooms and great principals leading schools. The research is overwhelming: the quality of teachers and principals are two of the top in-school factors for student success. I firmly believe that leaders should make data-informed decisions, and that’s why, based on this research, we should be rewarding our top-performing teachers and principals across the state.
I want South Carolina to become the top destination in the country for the best and brightest teachers and principals. We should create a merit pay structure statewide that offers bonuses to educators who are top performers – and we should offer an extra incentive to educators who are willing to bring their high-quality instruction to low performing schools. Infusing the principles of the free market into public education will improve outcomes for students.
Concurrent with statewide merit pay, South Carolina must expand education freedom for all families in the state. Education freedom is about ensuring parents are empowered to exercise their God-given right to choose what’s best for their children. As governor, I will work every day to expand education freedom until every family has the opportunity to choose the best education for their child.
Finally, as governor, I am committed to dramatically expanding career and technical education in South Carolina. For too long, schools and businesses have been ships passing in the night. Schools enroll students in career and technical education without actually talking to businesses about what skills are needed in the workforce. I’ve spent most of my life in the private sector and I know what it takes to bring business leaders into the conversation and ensure our students are being prepared with the skills needed for family-sustaining jobs. When schools and businesses are working together for student success, the entire state wins.
Few things are more important than education. As governor, I will focus every day on leading with students at the center of the conversation. Education funding is a core function of government and it should be treated as a treasure to invest in our next generation’s education.
* * *
Ralph Norman was born and raised in South Carolina. After a successful career as a small business owner in real estate development, he entered into public service, first as a South Carolina State Representative, then as a U.S. Congressman in 2017. He’s now running to be the next Governor of South Carolina. 
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Open Book On Wooden Desk With Blurred Empty Classroom Background.

When Test Scores Drop, It’s Time For Real Education Reform

Charter Schools

Opinion

Parental Rights in Education

School Choice

South Carolina

Parents, educators and community leaders recently attended a Fairfax County School Board meeting in Virginia to ask questions about an <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/virginia-school-system-investigating-claims-staff-arranged-students-abortions-without-parental-consent">alleged coerced abortion case</a> involving two Hispanic minors at Centreville High School.
Centreville High School has a <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/districts/fairfax-county-public-schools/centreville-high-school-20462__;!!PxibshUo2Yr_Ta5B!z-3bjZRUUFzVpcjUUXeCnOmT5iO0fbyCiy8sK0gxSSxuJkQ3-e2SK8nKwzsT-qgLY1fjiIEr7WbqqhMTXRP5j4yv$">minority enrollment</a> of 69%, and 32% of its students are economically disadvantaged. For pregnancy matters, the school’s policy states that students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with their parents.
The whistleblower at the school, Zenaida Perez, is an English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher and is originally from Cuba. She immigrated to the United States in 1990 and holds a master’s degree in ESL.
Perez claims that, beginning in 2022, she discovered a social worker was arranging and paying for minor girls to obtain abortions without parental knowledge or consent, which is required in the state of Virginia.
She reportedly brought her concerns to school administrators seven times. But instead of district officials addressing these allegations, Perez says she experienced bullying from administrators and attempts from the school to <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/governor-orders-criminal-probe-into-alleged-abortions-at-centreville-high-school/article_a1c3bc41-9b17-4ac1-8187-70eaa7de4ca3.html__;!!PxibshUo2Yr_Ta5B!z-3bjZRUUFzVpcjUUXeCnOmT5iO0fbyCiy8sK0gxSSxuJkQ3-e2SK8nKwzsT-qgLY1fjiIEr7WbqqhMTXUI6JXVn$">undermine her integrity</a> by falsely accusing her of handing out pregnancy tests to students.
The allegations are deeply troubling given both of the girls involved were underage. Perez says that one student, who was five months pregnant and wanting to keep her baby, said she felt like she “had no choice.” The other girl told Perez she was terrified because her legal guardians did not know about her abortion.
Worried parents in attendance at the school board meeting questioned whether these were isolated incidents or part of a broader pattern of overriding parental rights and disregarding state law.
Most Americans <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/16/democrats-gop-parental-notification-abortion-laws-00097245__;!!PxibshUo2Yr_Ta5B!z-3bjZRUUFzVpcjUUXeCnOmT5iO0fbyCiy8sK0gxSSxuJkQ3-e2SK8nKwzsT-qgLY1fjiIEr7WbqqhMTXYCxdjTu$">support</a> parental consent for abortion as they recognize that life-and-death decisions should not be made without parental guidance. In Troxel v. Granville, the United States Supreme Court affirmed the fundamental rights of “parents in the care, custody, and control of their children,” and 36 states require parental involvement in abortion-related decisions for minors.
Despite the guarantee of parental rights, Virginia is attempting to strip them from the abortion equation by passing <a href="https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HJ1">House Joint Resolution 1</a>, a constitutional amendment that enshrines intentionally broad &#8220;reproductive freedom&#8221; as a right in the state constitution.
The Centreville High School case also underscores over a half-century of abuse by so-called &#8220;reproductive health care&#8221; advocates targeting minority communities for abortion.
Sadly, abortion peddlers know impoverished minority girls are abortion-vulnerable due to the broader inequalities they face, like racial prejudice, economic disparities, and access to authentic health care. They are also unlikely to resist coercion, especially when it comes from authority figures like school officials.
Their struggles are not just statistics to me, because I lived them. I grew up in the middle of the same kind of hardship after my mother’s <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://aul.org/author/sarah-zagorskiaul-org/__;!!PxibshUo2Yr_Ta5B!z-3bjZRUUFzVpcjUUXeCnOmT5iO0fbyCiy8sK0gxSSxuJkQ3-e2SK8nKwzsT-qgLY1fjiIEr7WbqqhMTXYscX0kk$">attempted abortion</a> with me. She had come to the U.S. from Honduras, already struggling to raise seven children she couldn’t provide for, trapped in an abusive home. She too believed she had no other choice.
She did defy coercion from her abortion physician in the end, but this kind of resistance is rare. Victims are often threatened, manipulated, and face real barriers like lack of money, absence of support, or fear for their safety.
I am thankful that the Governor Glenn Youngkin has directed the state police to open a criminal investigation into the case. Parental rights should not be usurped, and school employees have no right to hide secret abortions from parents.
Children need protection and parental guidance, especially when faced with an unplanned pregnancy, not forced secrecy by adults attempting to usurp fundamental rights of parents to make decisions regarding the wellbeing of their children.
Girls from marginalized communities, including Hispanic girls from Centreville High School, deserve better than betrayal from people they should trust and cover-ups by school bureaucrats.
* * *
<a href="https://aul.org/author/sarah-zagorskiaul-org/">Sarah Zagorski</a> is the Senior Director of Public Relations and Communication at Americans United for Life.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

High School Students Walking in a Hallway

Whistleblower Uncovers Secret Abortion Scandal At Virginia High School. Parents Deserve Better.

Abortion

Glenn Youngkin

High School

Hispanics

Parenting

Pro-Life Movement

Teenagers

The Trump administration renewed its push to return control of education to the states after new data revealed continued declines in the reading, math, and science scores of high school seniors nationwide.
The National Center for Education Statistics released the &#8220;Nation&#8217;s Report Card&#8221; for 12th-grade students on Tuesday, finding that reading levels had reached new lows and math scores were the worst in 20 years. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon <a href="https://x.com/EDSecMcMahon/status/1965370143657148681">said</a> that the numbers confirmed a “devastating trend” of American students testing at “historic lows.”
“Despite billions in federal spending and countless well-intentioned programs, the achievement gap between students is widening, not shrinking. And this trend did not begin with COVID, it goes back a decade,” she said in a video message posted on X, noting that 78% of high school seniors were not proficient in math and another 65% were not proficient in reading in 2024. 
“Clearly, success is not about how much money we spend, but who spends it. That’s why President Trump and I are committed to reversing course and returning control of education to the states so local communities with parents in the driver&#8217;s seat can better innovate, adapt, and tailor education to their students’ needs,” she said. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today’s <a href="https://twitter.com/NAEP_NCES?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NAEP_NCES</a> 12th grade math and reading and 8th grade science scores confirm a devastating trend: American students are testing at historic lows.
Nearly HALF of America’s high school seniors are testing at below basic levels in math and reading. The status quo is… <a href="https://t.co/FMxGX5cu66">pic.twitter.com/FMxGX5cu66</a>
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/EDSecMcMahon/status/1965370143657148681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The National Report Card is an ongoing assessment of what American students know about various subjects, providing a nationwide snapshot of trends and measuring student performance.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress <a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reports/reading/2024/g12/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> that the average reading score for 12th graders in 2024 was three points lower than in 2019 and 10 points lower than in 1992. For <a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reports/mathematics/2024/g12/">math</a>, scores were down three points compared to 2019 and five points compared to 2019. Science <a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reports/science/2024/">scores</a> for seniors also decreased by four points compared to 2019. 
Educational achievement has also dropped for students in lower grades. In January, the statistics showed that around 70% of students in grades four and eight were not proficient in math or reading. 
Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) said that the poor education numbers were endangering national security and would have economic consequences. 
“Low academic skills don’t just hurt grades, they weaken our economy, workforce, and national security. Without strong foundations in these core subjects, America’s freedom and economic competitiveness will be in jeopardy,” he said. “Republicans and the Trump administration are prioritizing students — working to ensure every child gains the skills essential to be successful. This is crucial to America’s success.”
While moving to reduce the size and scope of the Education Department, the Trump administration has encouraged states to adopt school choice policies to allow parents to use state dollars to help cover tuition costs at private schools.

‘Nation’s Report Card’ Finds Reading Scores For High School Seniors At Record Lows

Department of Education

Mathematics

Science

Editor’s note: The following commentary is an excerpt from remarks presented before the Presidential Religious Liberty Commission on Sept. 8, 2025, with minor edits made for readability.
* * *
I never expected that pursuing my dream to help hurting children would lead to a legal battle for our most basic freedoms.
I graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling in May 2022. I chose this path because God gave me a passion to fight for and preserve the innocence of children, especially those who’ve experienced deep complex trauma. Through art therapy, I’ve witnessed how expressive means can calm both body and mind and provide a mode of communication when words feel painful and impossible.
But while I was studying how to help others heal, I found myself betrayed by the very institution that was supposed to equip me for that mission.
My program was small — just 10 students—and we became very close. We would talk about being in each other’s weddings and supported each other like family.
But about a year in, something shifted. I came to Southern Illinois University thinking I was there to become a counselor. But I soon realized the university expected me to adopt and promote a specific ideology — one rooted in Marxism and critical race theory, even when it conflicted with my religious and professional beliefs.
When called on in class, I shared my perspective respectfully, asking whether these ideas served the best interests of our future clients.
Instead of respectful dialogue, my Christian and conservative beliefs were met with hostility — not only from classmates but even professors.
But I didn’t expect what came next.
The university issued three no-contact orders against me. You might wonder what a no-contact order is. I did, too. It’s essentially a restraining order, and it applied on and off campus. It meant I couldn’t talk to, sit near, or even be in the same coffee shop with the three classmates who had filed the complaints.
I was shocked. I asked what I’d done. The university said I hadn’t violated any policy. But without any communication or investigation, I received a threat of “disciplinary consequences” if I violated the no-contact orders. And they even copied a university police officer on each order to drive this threat home.
After this, I stopped speaking in class. I was isolated and scared — like I was in a relationship with abusers — trapped in a system that punished me for having different beliefs.
I thought back through every conversation I’d had with my classmates. I couldn’t think of anything I’d done that could be taken as offensive, let alone aggressive. I became afraid.
And with fear came a sense of powerlessness. I started having trouble sleeping. I lost my appetite. And I began to worry what might happen if my professors — who clearly disapproved of my views — decided to block me from graduating or finding a job.
I reached out to Alliance Defending Freedom, and they sent a demand letter to the university. Five days later, the university rescinded the no-contact orders. Two weeks later, it finally told me what the accusations were.
Three classmates had complained about some social media posts where I’d expressed my Christian and conservative views on current events. They claimed the mere expression of my views were “microaggression[s].”
One student said I was “threatening” because I couldn’t embrace critical race theory, which I had said failed to treat people with dignity regardless of race. She told the school I was threatening even though in the same conversation I had praised her for having a “beautiful heart” with a deep “compassion for children.”
Sadly, even after the no-contact orders were lifted, the attacks continued.
University officials refused to tell students that I hadn’t broken any policies. Instead, they e-mailed faculty, students, and alumni, implying that I had engaged in “oppressive acts” and “misconduct.”
The university held a “community meeting” where students publicly attacked my faith and accused me of being racist, oppressive, and creating a toxic learning environment.
Fellow students maligned my name in a school newspaper.
But one of the most painful moments came when a classmate and former friend created an art display titled The Crushing Weight of Microaggressions. It featured a personal text I’d sent her where I shared that, even if we might disagree on some things, I cared about her and that “[M]y personal beliefs are grounded in objective truth by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
I was heartbroken to see my words so misunderstood. I loved my classmates, including this girl. To this day, I wish we could have shared our diverse beliefs with mutual respect and kindness. But that was sadly not my experience.
I wasn’t punished for harming anyone; I was punished for having a different perspective, being a Christian, and asking honest questions. At a public university, which is supposed to be a marketplace of ideas, I was silenced for sharing mine.
I knew I couldn’t just walk away. I live by Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s quote: “Silence in the face of evil is evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak, and not to act is to act.”
I could not be silent knowing that what happened to me could happen to future students. Our freedoms are too precious not to defend.
So I filed a <a href="https://adflegal.org/case/dejong-v-pembrook/?utm_source=dailywire&amp;utm_medium=oped">lawsuit</a>.
After the university tried — and failed — to dismiss my case, it agreed to settle. It changed its policies to ensure all students, regardless of political or religious beliefs, are welcome. And it revised how no-contact orders are used so that they can’t be weaponized to punish simple differences of opinion.
But what weighs on my heart to this day: I should never have had to sue. Public universities have a duty to protect open dialogue, not punish it. They should welcome differences, not erase them. And no student should be shamed or silenced for their faith.
Looking back, I can see how what was meant to break me — God used to shape me.
Through the fear and betrayal, He gave me the courage to speak, even when my voice shook. He taught me to love even those who misunderstood or maligned me.
I’m so grateful to President Donald Trump and the Religious Liberty Commission for their bold work to protect our First Amendment freedoms — freedoms that belong to all of us regardless of faith, race, or creed.
The truth is: Freedom is fragile. Silence is costly. But courage is contagious.
* * *
Maggie DeJong obtained her master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Students Collaborating and Studying in a Cozy Cafe Setting

Taking A Stand Against My University Took Courage — But Courage Is Contagious

American Universities

Christians

College

Woke Culture

President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would take action to protect students’ rights to pray at public schools. 
Trump made the announcement during the second official hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible. The focus of the hearing was on religious liberty and public education, featuring testimony from students who claimed their religious beliefs were challenged at school. 
“For most of our country’s history, the Bible was found in every classroom in the nation, yet in many schools, today’s students are instead indoctrinated with anti-religious propaganda and some are even punished for their religious beliefs,” Trump said. 
Trump pointed to a young girl from Texas named Hannah Allen, who was reprimanded for meeting with a group of her classmates during lunch to pray for an injured friend. 
“To support students like Hannah, I’m pleased to announce this morning that the Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in our public schools,” Trump said. 
What the guidance will look like is not clear. The Supreme Court recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fired-football-coach-to-be-reinstated-after-supreme-court-win" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruled</a> in favor of a high school football coach from Washington who was fired for leading voluntary prayers on the field after games. The court ruled that the school district violated the coach’s rights by disciplining him. 
The new protections for prayer come as the Trump administration on Monday <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/america250/america-prays/">rolled</a> out an “America Prays” initiative to encourage Americans to meet with 10 others once a week to pray for the country. 
During the hearing, Trump also said that his administration would work to get answers about the attack at a Catholic school in Minnesota last month by a transgender-identifying male. 
“Two weeks ago, in Minneapolis, a demonic killer shot 21 people and murdered the two precious children at a Catholic school,” Trump said. “Our hearts are shattered for the families of those beautiful children.”
“The Trump administration will have no tolerance for terrorism or political violence, and that includes hate crimes against Christians, Jews, or anybody else,” he added. 
The Religious Liberty Commission was established in May through a Trump executive order directing it to produce a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious freedom and the leading threats it faces in the United States today.

President Trump Speaks At Museum Of The Bible On Religious Liberty In Education

Trump Promises Fresh Push To Defend Prayer In Public Schools

Donald Trump

Prayer

Religious Liberty

America is in a global artificial intelligence (AI) race. The stakes are historically high with economic and national security implications. As President Trump <a href="https://x.com/DavidSacks/status/1949249312363626843">declared</a> in July, “Whether we like it or not, we are suddenly engaged in a fast-paced competition to build and refine this groundbreaking technology that will determine so much about the future of civilization.”
The President, First Lady, and the Trump Administration are taking decisive steps to ensure America is prepared and positioned to win one of the most consequential competitions among nations in modern history, determining future global dominance.
On Thursday, First Lady Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education. Michael Kratsios, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, serves as the chair of the task force. Other members include the Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Energy, Director of the National Science Foundation, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, Assistant to the President for Policy, and Assistant to the President for the Office of the First Lady.
<div id="attachment_969609" style="width: 875px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-969609" class="size-large wp-image-969609" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233064229-865x576.jpg" alt="Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., from left, US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, during a dinner with tech leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Trump said he would be imposing tariffs on semiconductor imports &quot;very shortly&quot; but spare goods from companies like Apple Inc. that have pledged to boost their US investments. Photographer: Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images" width="865" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233064229-865x576.jpg 865w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233064229-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233064229-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233064229.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 865px) 100vw, 865px" />Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images</div>
The task force is providing vital leadership for implementing the actions outlined in the “<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/advancing-artificial-intelligence-education-for-american-youth/">Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth</a>” executive order, signed into law by President Trump on April 23. As the executive order <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/advancing-artificial-intelligence-education-for-american-youth/">states</a>, the President and First Lady recognize that “to ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution, we must provide our Nation’s youth with opportunities to cultivate the skills and understanding necessary to adapt to and thrive in an increasing digital society.” K-12 education and workforce development training are foundational avenues for this to occur.
Students need to not just learn about artificial intelligence; education in America must be modernized to incorporate this rapidly advancing technology, thereby personalizing and enhancing student learning.
While artificial intelligence tools are the latest form of student academic dishonesty, they cannot be excluded from the learning process in the future based on fear. Students must be taught and held accountable for the appropriate use. Developers are designing educational technology tools that strengthen critical thinking and other essential cognitive skills — enhancing rather than supplanting learning — to meet the quickly accelerating market demand.
With clarity and candor, the Trump Administration has <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/advancing-artificial-intelligence-education-for-american-youth/">cast the vision</a> for charting a strategic path forward: “Early learning and exposure to AI concepts not only demystifies this powerful technology but also sparks curiosity and creativity, preparing students to become active and responsible participants in the workforce of the future and nurturing the next generation of American AI innovators to propel our Nation to new heights of scientific and economic achievement.”
As part of promptly putting this plan into action, First Lady Melania Trump recently launched the <a href="https://www.ai.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge">Presidential AI Challenge,</a> which aims to cultivate interest and expertise in artificial intelligence technology among elementary through high school students and educators. Mrs. Trump beautifully <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Presidential-AI-Challenge-Guidebook-for-Participation.pdf">articulates</a> that the “President’s National Artificial Intelligence Challenge invites every student in America — from kindergarten to 12th grade — to unleash their imagination and showcase the spirit of American innovation.” Speaking directly to students, she explains, “our extraordinary educators will guide and empower you through this process to build a brighter, stronger future for us all.”
Acknowledging that America’s K-12 education institutions are largely unprepared to step into this moment, the Trump Administration has created crucial public-private partnerships to provide resources and advanced technological expertise and tools necessary to bring this vision into reality. Already, over 135 companies and organizations have signed the “<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/edai/">Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education</a>.”
Google CEO Sundar Pichai <a href="https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/ai-education-efforts/">announced</a> at the White House Task Force meeting that $150 million of the company’s $1 billion pledge, made in August, will support education and workforce training through AI education grants. This includes $2 million to the Flourish Fund, which provides financial support for nonprofit organizations that assist foster care youth with workforce development tools as they age out of the system. Additionally, it includes $3 million for Code.org to incorporate artificial intelligence features into its curriculum.
Winning the AI race isn’t merely aspirational. The Trump Administration is working with undeniable resolve because winning the AI race is imperative for ensuring the American Dream remains alive and thriving for future generations.
In January, the President hit the ground running, signing the “<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/removing-barriers-to-american-leadership-in-artificial-intelligence/">Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence</a>” executive order. In July, the White House released the “<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Americas-AI-Action-Plan.pdf">Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan</a>.” These executive orders are key, setting the stage to advance artificial intelligence nationwide through accelerating innovation, building infrastructure, and leading the world in diplomacy and security. The action plan <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/07/white-house-unveils-americas-ai-action-plan/">asserts</a>, “Winning the AI race will usher in a new golden age of human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security for the American people.”
President Trump has proven he can win, is winning, and will never stop working to win for the American people. And in the race for AI, as in every fight for America’s future, his leadership is driving our nation not only to lead the world, but also to secure a new era of strength and prosperity.
* * *
<a href="https://www.discovery.org/p/ingraham/">Dr. Keri D. Ingraham</a> is a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute, Director of the American Center for Transforming Education, and a Senior Fellow at Independent Women’s Forum.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

The First Lady’s Undeniable Resolve To Win The AI Race

Artificial Intelligence

Bill Gates

Melania Trump

Schools

Silicon Valley

Technology

White House

As parents across the country push back against schools undermining their children’s faith, President Donald Trump will speak at the Museum of the Bible on Monday during a hearing on religious liberty in education, The Daily Wire has learned.
Trump will give remarks during the second meeting of the Religious Liberty Commission he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/donald-trump-to-establish-religious-liberty-commission">established</a> earlier this year to protect the rights of Americans to practice their faith. At the hearing, parents and students will discuss their experience of expressing their faith in the public schools. 
The Trump administration has placed a large emphasis on protecting religious liberties, from <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-trump-guidance-allows-federal-employees-to-debate-religion-with-co-workers">issuing new guidance</a> that allows federal workers to be more open about their beliefs, to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/they-should-not-have-been-prosecuted-trump-pardons-23-pro-lifers-targeted-by-biden-doj">pardoning</a> pro-life Christians targeted by the Biden administration over peaceful demonstrations at abortion facilities. 
“The previous administration abused the federal government’s power to interfere with Americans’ First Amendment right to religious freedom,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told The Daily Wire. “They even used the Department of Justice to target peaceful people of faith, specifically Christians. This is exactly why President Trump established the Religious Liberty Commission to stop the emerging threats against Americans’ inalienable right to practice their religion freely.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Religious Liberty Commission Chair Dan Patrick will also speak at the hearing. 
The first panel to be heard at the event will be a group of elementary school students “who will share stories of challenges to their religious liberty,” according to the White House. Other panels will feature parents whose rights to raise their kids religiously were “challenged or abridged in the school system,” and students who faced challenges to their faith in higher education.
The goal of the hearing will be to “understand the historic landscape of religious liberty in the public education setting, identify present threats to religious liberty in America’s public school systems, and identify opportunities to secure religious liberty in this context for the future,” the White House told The Daily Wire. 
In May, Trump signed an executive order creating the commission with the task of producing a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty and the top threats to it in the United States today. 
“President Trump is the greatest defender for people of faith in modern history and will continue to protect and promote America’s founding principle of religious freedom,” Rogers told The Daily Wire. 
Other notable commission members to be in attendance include Ben Carson, Senior Adviser to the White House Faith Office, Paula White, Pastor Franklin Graham, Catholic Bishop Robert Barron, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, and Eric Metaxas. 
The first meeting of the commission took place in June, during which attendees <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trumps-religious-liberty-commission-meets-to-discuss-faith-policies">contrasted</a> the Trump administration’s approach to religious liberty with that of former President Joe Biden.
On Tuesday, Trump said that he would be making a “big announcement” in about two weeks related to the administration’s goals to protect religious liberty. The administration is also looking to protect churches following an attack on a Catholic school last week in Minneapolis by a transgender-identifying shooter who had a documented hatred of Christians. 
In recent years, the Supreme Court has handed advocates of religious liberty a number of major victories in education, including <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-supreme-court-affirms-religious-liberty-rules-in-favor-of-public-high-school-football-coach-punished-for-praying-after-games">siding</a> with a high school football coach who was disciplined for leading voluntary prayers after games. More recently, the court <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/supreme-court-sides-with-parents-says-schools-cant-mandate-lgbt-curricula">sided</a> with a group of Maryland parents who argued that schools violated their religious beliefs by forcing them to participate in sexually-themed education.

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