Education, political officials worry about education as Trump appoints education secretary
Maryland bridge funding, Commanders deal may hinge on bill that House GOP lawmakers consider too costlyWASHINGTON - Donald Trump threatened the United States's closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * WASHINGTON - Donald Trump threatened the United States's closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WASHINGTON – Donald Trump threatened the United States’s closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Trump said Monday he would use an executive order to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico until the two countries stop drugs and migrants from illegally crossing the U.S. border. The announcement, made on Truth Social, brought swift responses from officials and industry in both countries who are bracing for chaos during Trump’s second tenure. He has long used the threat of import taxes to pressure other countries to do his bidding, saying this summer that “the most beautiful word in the dictionary is ‘tariff.'” It’s unlikely the move would violate the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which was negotiated during the first Trump administration. Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U. S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said the president can impose tariffs under his national security powers. This type of duty has a time limit and can only be made permanent through Congressional approval, but for Trump, national security powers are like a “get out of jail free card,” Dawson said. “This is exactly what happened in the last Trump administration,” Dawson said. “Everyone said, ‘Well, that is ridiculous. Canada is the U.S.’s best security partner. What do you mean our steel and aluminum imports are somehow a source of insecurity?'” But within the global trade system, she said, no country challenges another’s right to define their own national security imperatives. Trump’s first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America’s whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. is Canada’s closest neighbour and largest trading partner. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S. Negotiation of CUSMA, commonly dubbed “the new NAFTA,” was a key test for Ottawa following Trump’s first victory. The trilateral agreement is up for review in 2026 and experts suspect this week’s tariff announcement is a negotiating tactic. Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for treasury secretary, said in a recent op-ed that tariffs are “a useful tool for achieving the president’s foreign policy objectives.” “Whether it is getting allies to spend more on their own defence, opening foreign markets to U.S. exports, securing co-operation on ending illegal immigration and interdicting fentanyl trafficking, or deterring military aggression, tariffs can play a central role.” During the initial CUSMA negotiations in 2018, Trump floated the idea of a 25 per cent tariff on the Canadian auto sector — something that would have been crippling for the industry on both sides of the border. It was never implemented. At the time, he did use his national security powers to impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminum imports, casting fear of an all-out trade war that would threaten the global economy. The day after announcing those levies, Trump posted on social media “trade wars are good, and easy to win.” Former U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer recounted in his book that the duties sent an “unmistakable signal that business as usual was over.” “The Trump administration was willing to ruffle diplomatic feathers to advance its trade agenda.” It led to a legendary clash between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump at the G7 in Quebec. Trudeau said Canada would impose retaliatory measures, saying the argument that tariffs on steel and aluminum were a matter of national security was “kind of insulting.” Trump took to social media, where, in a flurry of posts he called Trudeau “very dishonest and weak.” Canada and other countries brought their own duties against the U.S. in response. They targeted products for political, rather than economic, reasons. Canada hit yogurt with a 10 per cent duty. Most of the product impacted came from one plant in Wisconsin, the home state of then-Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. The European Union, Mexico and Canada all targeted U.S. whiskey products with tariffs, in a clear signal to then Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his home state of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. Ultimately, Canada and Mexico were able to negotiate exemptions. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Carlo Dade, the director of trade and trade infrastructure at the Canada West Foundation, said Trump is returning to the White House with more experience and a plan. But he suspects Americans will not like the blow to their bank accounts. Trump’s new across-the-board tariff strategy would not only disrupt global supply chains, it would also cause a major shakeup to the American economy. It’s unclear if Trump will go through with them, or for how long, after campaigning on making life more affordable and increasing the energy market. “I think it will be short-term,” Dade said. “The U.S. can only inflict damage on itself for so long.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press Advertisement Advertisement
Novak Djokovic has confirmed that British tennis legend Andy Murray is to become his coach. It marks Murray's next step in tennis after retiring from his playing career earlier this year. The Scot brought an end to career that saw Wimbledon glory and Olympic gold and now he is set to help the 37-year-old Djokovic, who perhaps denied him the opportunity of more success. "He never liked retirement anyway," commented Djokovic when publishing a video on social media to confirm the news. There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story. Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , Twitter , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.Drake beats Florida Atlantic 75-63
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Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talkFans eager for season after meeting Comets in personSecurities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, who was aggressive in his oversight of cryptocurrencies and other financial markets, will step down from his post on Jan. 20. Gensler pushed changes that he said protected investors, but the industry and many Republicans bristled at what they saw as overreach. President-elect Donald Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler. But Gensler on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trump’s victory. It hit new highs Thursday and was nearing $100,000. Bitcoin moved notably higher still after Gensler's resignation was announced. Gensler's stance on the rise of cryptocurrencies was captured during a speech he gave during the first year of his chairmanship in 2021 where he described the market as “the Wild West.” “This asset class is rife with fraud, scams, and abuse in certain applications,” he said in a speech at the Aspen Security Forum. “There’s a great deal of hype and spin about how crypto assets work. In many cases, investors aren’t able to get rigorous, balanced, and complete information.” Under Gensler, the SEC brought actions against players in the crypto industry for fraud , wash trading and other violations, including as recently as last month when the commission brought fraud charges against three companies purporting to be market makers, along with nine individuals for trying to manipulate various crypto markets. Yet access to cryptocurrencies became more widespread under Gensler. In January, the SEC approved exchange-traded funds that track the spot price of bitcoin. With such ETFs, investors could get easier access to bitcoin without the huge overlays required to buy it directly. Gensler, however, acknowledged the SEC had denied earlier, similar applications for such ETFs, including Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, among the first to eventually be approved by the SEC. “Circumstances, however, have changed,” Gensler said, pointing to a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that said the SEC failed to adequately explain its reasoning in rejecting Grayscale’s proposal. Even there, Gensler made sure not to endorse the merits of bitcoin. He pointed to how ETFs that hold precious metals are tracking prices of things that have “consumer and industrial users, while in contrast bitcoin is primarily a speculative, volatile asset that’s also used for illicit activity including ransomware, money laundering, sanction evasion, and terrorist financing.” Gensler was tested early in his tenure with the rise of the meme stock phenomenon that shocked the financial system in early 2021. Earlier this year, the SEC under Gensler pushed Wall Street to speed up how long it takes for trades of stocks to settle, one of the areas where the commission’s staff recommended changes following the reckoning created by GameStop , one of the first meme stocks. In the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, hordes of smaller-pocketed and novice investors suddenly piled into the stock of the struggling video-game retailer. During the height of the frenzy, several brokerages barred customers from buying GameStop after the clearinghouse that settles their trades demanded more cash to cover the increased risk created by its highly volatile price. In May 2024, new rules meant broker-dealers have to fully settle their trades within one business day of the trade date, down from the previous two. Critics of the SEC under Gensler have called many of the agency's proposals overly burdensome. The investment industry, for example, is pushing against a proposal to force some advisers and companies disclose more about their environmental, social and governance practices, otherwise known as ESG. Critics say the proposal is overly complex and increases the risk of investor confusion, while imposing unnecessary burdens and costs on funds. On Thursday, Gensler stood by the SEC's track record under his direction. “The staff and the Commission are deeply mission-driven, focused on protecting investors, facilitating capital formation, and ensuring that the markets work for investors and issuers alike," Gensler said in prepared remarks. “The staff comprises true public servants." Gensler previously served as Chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, leading the Obama Administration’s reform of the $400 trillion swaps market. He also was senior advisor to U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes in writing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) and was undersecretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance and assistant secretary of the Treasury from 1997-2001.
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Edifier continues to establish its reputation as a premier audio brand by winning multiple awards at the esteemed Visual Grand Prix ( VGP ) 2025 in Japan , showcasing its dedication to innovation and excellence in audio technology . RICHMOND, BC , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japanese VGP Awards, often dubbed the "Oscar in the Audio Industry," are the largest and most credible audio-visual honors in Asia , organized annually by Ongen Publishing Co. Ltd. since 1987. These awards aggregate evaluations from numerous countries, providing consumers with trustworthy guidance for their audio and visual purchases. Edifier's accolades at the VGP Awards underscore its significant contributions and innovation in the audio sector, solidifying its reputation as a leading brand in the industry. Stanley Wen , Edifier's CTO, expressed his pleasure upon receiving awards at the VGP 2025. "These awards provide the recognition that underscores Edifier's commitment to product development and its mission to provide high-quality, exceptional audio products to consumers. Edifier is humbled to be acknowledged yet again at the prestigious VGP awards. This is a reflection of our dedication to excellence in audio innovation." The Edifier M60 was a Special Prize Winner and Gold Award Winner. The M60 is a compact 2.0 desktop speaker optimized for high-resolution audio reproduction, making it an ideal enhancement for any desktop setup. Boasting a total output power of 66W (RMS), it delivers impressive sound quality through its 1" silk dome tweeter and 3" long-throw aluminium diaphragm mid-low drivers, all wrapped in a sleek design that complements modern aesthetics. The Comfo C (EDF200161) open-ear clip-on design earbuds were a Gold Award Winner. Each earbud features a three-axis sensor, allowing flexible use in either ear for added convenience. Weighing just 5.8 grams each, the design accommodates various ear shapes and sizes, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit for all users. Additionally, the 12mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated composite diaphragm delivers dynamic, detailed, and powerful sound, enhancing the overall listening experience. Another Gold Award Winner was the W800BT Pro . The Edifier W800BT Pro headphones offer a premium listening experience with hybrid active noise cancelling technology and Hi-Res audio support. They feature AI call noise cancellation, and with an impressive 45 hours of playtime on a single charge and fast charging capabilities, these foldable over-ear headphones provide both convenience and comfort. Also recognized was the Edifier MR3 2.0 monitor speaker system which boasts Hi-Res audio certification and a flat frequency response ranging from 52Hz to 40kHz, delivering a robust 18W x 2 (RMS) total power output. With their advanced acoustic design, precise tuning, and high-quality craftsmanship, the MR3 speakers are an ideal choice for home studios, video editing, and everyday listening. The final Award Winner was the NeoDots True Wireless earbuds. The NeoDots integrate Hybrid driver units (BA and 10mm dynamic drivers), digital signal processing, and active crossover. This combination provides superior, balanced sound with high resolution and low distortion, achieving an impressive noise cancellation depth of up to -48dB. With Bluetooth V5.4 for enhanced connectivity, the NeoDots support multipoint connection, allowing seamless switching between music, videos, and calls across two devices simultaneously, making them a versatile choice for any user. The VGP awards celebrate outstanding products that significantly impact the industry with innovative technology and design, highlighting Edifier's ongoing development and expansion of its product offerings. With registered international trademarks in over 70 countries and a globally diverse workforce supported by distribution partners and resellers, Edifier continues to strengthen its presence in the audio market worldwide. About Edifier: Edifier specializes in premium sound systems that showcase technological innovation and design elegance, delivering outstanding audio experiences through a wide range of headphones, speakers, and music systems, for personal entertainment and professional excellence. Established in May 1996 in Beijing , Edifier is the brainchild of a small group of enterprising music lovers. Over the past 25 years, Edifier has been guided by the "passion for sound" principle, which helped the brand emerge as a world-class designer and manufacturer of award-winning sound systems. Today, Edifier serves audio lovers worldwide through its distributors in over 70 countries, with operations in North America , South America , Europe , the Middle East , and Asia Pacific . More information about Edifier is available online at www.edifier.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edifier-scoops-5-honours-at-prestigious-visual-grand-prix-2025-302317109.html SOURCE Edifier
Expanded CFP field draws more bets and on more teamsAfter Terry McLaurin weaved his way past five defenders for an 86-yard touchdown catch from Jayden Daniels to cut the Cowboys lead to 27-26 with 21 seconds left, Fox's No. 2 broadcast crew captured the chaos before admonishing the audience not to count on anything as a certainty on this helter-skelter afternoon. "Lightning strikes twice in Washington!" Davis shouted in an homage to Daniels' 52-yard Hail Mary to Noah Brown that stunned the Bears last month. "They dropped 11 guys in coverage," Olsen marveled. "If they just tackle him inbounds the game is over. I don't even know what to say. I'm absolutely speechless." Not for long he wasn't. Olsen quickly cautioned the audience that "Automatic" Austin Siebert had already missed an extra point along with a field goal Sunday in his return from a right hip injury. "Before anyone in Washington gets too fired up, remember, we've seen a missed PAT already," Olsen said. "Yeah, you hold your breath with anything special teams-related on this day," Davis agreed. After all, this was the first game in NFL history to feature two kickoff returns for touchdowns, two errant extra points and a blocked punt. In the 41-point fourth quarter that erased the game's snoozer status, Washington allowed KaVontae Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return for a score. Earlier, the Cowboys missed a field goal and saw another one blocked along with a punt. Sure enough, the snap was low ... the hold was better ... "It is no good!" Davis hollered. "And the worst special teams day in history has a fitting finish!" Actually, no. More ruckus remained. Siebert's onside kick bounced twice in front of safety Juanyeh Thomas, who gathered it in and returned it 43 yards for Dallas' second kickoff return for a touchdown. If Thomas takes a knee short of the goal line, he effectively seals the Cowboys' win. Instead, the score, while pushing Dallas' lead to 34-26, also left enough time for Daniels and the Commanders for a shot at yet another miracle touchdown. Austin Ekeler returned the kickoff to the Washington 36 and after a short gain, Daniels' Hail Mary was intercepted by Israel Mukuamu as time expired. And that's how what Davis called the "worst special teams day in NFL history" came to an end. "What a wild special teams moment of blocked punts, kicks, kickoff returns, blocked field goals," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. In keeping with the not-so-special-teams theme, there were several foibles in the kicking game across the NFL in Week 12, where the Broncos gave up a 34-yard pass completion on a fake punt that Denver coach Sean Payton swore the team saw coming — and not as it was unfolding, either, but five days earlier. "We met Tuesday as a staff. It wasn't a matter of if, it was when they were going to run a fake punt," Payton said. "You're struggling as a team like this, we had it on the keys to victory, so credit them, they executed it." Thanks to AJ Cole's 34-yard pass to linebacker Divine Deablo that set up a second-quarter field goal, the reeling Raiders took a 13-9 advantage into the locker room, just their second halftime lead of the season. In the second half, the Raiders succumbed to surging rookie QB Bo Nix and veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton in their 29-19 loss. That's seven straight losses for the Raiders, their longest skid in a decade. The Broncos (7-5), who blew a chance to beat the Chiefs in Week 10 when their 35-yard field goal try was blocked as time ran out, also allowed a 59-yard kickoff return that led to Las Vegas' only touchdown Sunday. The Texans (7-5) lost for the third time in four games after Ka'imi Fairbairn shanked a 28-yard field goal try that would have tied the Titans just after the two-minute warning. Like the Broncos, the Vikings (9-2) overcame a special teams blunder and escaped Soldier Field with a 30-27 overtime win against the Bears after allowing Chicago (4-7) to recover an onside kick with 21 seconds left. Caleb Williams followed with a 27-yard pass to D.J. Moore to set up Cairo Santos' tying 48-yard field goal as the fourth-quarter clock hit zeros.
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Will Utah State or Boise State forfeit vs. San Jose State in the Mountain West semifinals?President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on his plan to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, which has left professors and education experts envisioning a mostly bleak future for student learning. On Tuesday, he announced he chose Linda McMahon, a former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, who served as the leader of the Small Business Administration in Trump’s previous administration. After leaving his previous administration, McMahon remained in Trump’s circle, serving as chair of a super PAC that backed his reelection campaign in 2020 and serving as co-chair of his current transition team. Former WWE executive Linda McMahon has been nominated to serve as Secretary of Education in the next Trump administration, a role for which critics say she’s unqualified. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) McMahon ran twice, in 2010 and 2012, for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut but lost both times. After that, McMahon decided to provide financial support to candidates, and gave $6 million to Trump’s 2016 campaign. Critics say McMahon has little experience to guide federal education policy and budgets. McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009. She claimed that she had a degree in education in a vetting questionaire for the position, but later admitted to the Hartford Courant that contacted the governor about the mistake. She also spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice that have wide GOP support. Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune State Senator Rodney Pol (right), D-Chesterton, and Representative Patricia Boy, D-Michigan City. answer questions from students during a visit to Chesterton High School on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) McMahon was also named in lawsuit filed in October, which accuses her and other WWE employees of knowing about child sexual abuse by former ringside announcer Melvin Phillips but failing to do anything about it, according to The Associated Press. Phillips, who died in 2012, was accused of assaulting “ring boys” as young as 13. State Senator Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, said he was surprised at McMahon’s nomination, but it seemed to follow the direction of other cabinet nominees. “It’s as if he’s picking the cast of ‘The Apprentice’,” Pol said. “These are people’s lives you are playing with. This is insane.” Chesterton High history teacher Robert DeRuntz said he doesn’t understand how eliminating the Department of Education would improve K-12 education if it takes money away from public schools. “Good government is about good policy and good problem solving,” said DeRuntz. Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune Chesterton High School history teacher Bob DeRuntz, in Union garb, performs the Gettysburg Address for students during a living history Civil War camp in the school’s courtyard on Monday, September 27, 2021. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) The DOE manages the $18.4 billion Title I program that provides more funding support in high-poverty urban areas like Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago. Financially-strapped Lake Station used its Title I funding to rehire its entire paraprofessional staff after it lost a property tax referendum last year. The DOE also manages the $15.5 billion program that supports programs for students with disabilities and it oversees the $1.6 trillion federal student loan program. Brendan Cantwell, a professor of higher education at Michigan State University, said McMahon has little relevant experience with education policy. In appointing McMahon, who has been a friend and ally to Trump, the president-elect stated he wanted to devolve education policy to the states but did not state he would eliminate the department, Cantwell said. Democratic candidate for governor Jennifer McCormick speaks during a visit to the Harris/Walz Campaign Headquarters in Gary on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune) The U.S. Department of Education was established in the 1970s and opened in 1980 to manage the growing portfolio of educational programs and enforce educational laws that Congress passes, Cantwell said. The department enforces provisions like Title IX, which ensures that gender is not a barrier in full participation — from academics to sports — in higher education, Cantwell said. For many years, most Republicans in Congress have been skeptical about expanding the federal government, Cantwell said. As a relatively new department, Republicans have viewed the Department of Education “suspiciously,” Cantwell said, and that many portions of the department could be combined with other departments. State representative Vernon Smith, D-Gary, speaks to local education leaders during the annual Northwest Indiana School Superintendents’ Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest in Gary on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Michael Gard/for the Post-Tribune) For example, most Republican legislators believe federal financial aid could be handled by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Cantwell said. Or, they believe the U.S. Department of Justice could enforce provisions like Title IX, he said. “Republicans have sort of long viewed getting rid of the Department of Education as a potential goal for downsizing the government,” Cantwell said. “The difference now is that Trump has championed eliminating the department much more consistently and vigorously than any presidential candidate in the past.” The timing will also likely prove important, Cantwell said. Trump has discussed eliminating the Department of Education at a time when Republicans maintain their skepticism in the size of government, particularly with administering programs, and when education, particularly higher education, has become culturally and politically polarizing, he said. “This moment might be the moment when there’s enough energy to get behind a dramatic change to federal education policy,” Cantwell said. “While it’s a proposal that is definitely on the table and will probably get discussed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s guaranteed to happen.” Congress would have to vote to eliminate the department, Cantwell said. While Republicans will control the next Congress, Cantwell said he foresees disagreement among Republicans on whether or not to prioritize eliminating the department. Congressional Democrats would oppose eliminating the department, Cantwell said, so it would require the Republicans to unify behind the issue. With two years until the next Congressional elections, it’s not clear if eliminating the department would be a top priority for Republicans. Education officials have shared a theory that Trump could eliminate the department through executive order, Cantwell said, but it’s not clear if the courts would allow it. It’s likely that if Trump did attempt to eliminate the department through executive order, lawsuits would be filed and the process would be tied up in the courts, he said. “Those are the obstacles. Congress may not be willing to do it, and if he tried to do it on his own, it might be blocked,” Cantwell said. But, if Trump were able to eliminate the department, Cantwell said while education laws would likely remain on the books, the enforcement agency wouldn’t be there to make sure the laws are being followed. From there, the federal government would become reactive instead of proactive when it comes to education law, he said. Without an education department, the federal government would likely lose or greatly reduce the number of experts in education, for example civil rights laws within the context of education, Cantwell said. Without a Department of Education, schools and universities would have the authority to do what they want, which would follow Republicans’ push for local control in education, Cantwell said. “President Trump operates much differently than other presidents in the past — both Republicans and Democrats — and so it’s hard to understand exactly what he’s thinking and what would happen,” Cantwell said. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana’s last elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, said it would be “a huge lift” to eliminate the department. Her immediate concerns have been the execution, from how the department will be eliminated and at what pace, to the purpose, she said. McCormick, who lost to GOP Gov.-elect Mike Braun earlier this month, questioned whether the purpose of eliminating the department would be to allocate education dollars differently or through a different federal agency or to drastically reduce or eliminate funding. In Indiana, the majority of federal funds from the Department of Education go to public schools, McCormick said. Funding goes toward supporting students with special needs, students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch, among other things. When she was state superintendent, McCormick said Indiana received $1 billion annually from the U.S. Department of Education. If that funding ends or were cut in half, the state’s education entities would feel that, she said. “From the people I’ve talked to, school officials, they’re just very concerned about really why and what happens to the funding because, let’s be realistic, Indiana does not have enough money to replace those funds. It would be really difficult to do that really for any state from the state level,” McCormick said. McCormick questioned whether the plan would be to allocate federal education funds toward voucher schools, which she said would be “very concerning.” “The concern is it’s coming across as the reason for it is punitive, and I’m not sure that’s a great reason to eliminate an agency. If you’re looking for efficiency and effectiveness, and if you’re looking for better service to kids, and they deem that to be the best way, but I’m not hearing that,” McCormick said. “It seems to be just ‘we don’t need it’ without much other explanation.” If the Trump administration was successful in eliminating the department, students would feel that impact because the services and resources teachers that federal funding support would be negatively affected, McCormick said. “We are already struggling to keep up with the cost of serving kids, and they deserve it. They are eligible and the law protects them. But the funds, we’re really struggling to keep up with the demands of those services,” McCormick said. Pol said his biggest concern with eliminating the department has been the impact that would have on special needs and low income students. If federal dollars were to become used for charter or voucher schools, public education would suffer, Pol said. “To me, that’s going to be very problematic,” Pol said. “That should be incredibly alarming.” State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, said if Trump eliminates the department, then education standards and procedures will be left largely to the states. Under that scenario, Smith said he has grave concerns that some states may decide they don’t want to teach minorities, special needs individuals, or girls and women. “There would be no national standards, and so the quality of education across these United States would be diminished,” Smith said. “We would have no regulatory watchdog to see what is going on with our various schools.” Smith, who serves on the Indiana House Education Committee, said he’d be concerned with the Indiana legislature dictating education policy without federal oversight because of the Republican Party supermajority. “With a conservative party being in place, they may just do away totally with traditional public education because the movement has been towards charters, has been toward vouchers, funding of private schools and so forth. There’s no telling what would happen with traditional public school,” Smith said. Smith, who has been a public school educator for more than 30 years, said the ultimate goal of eliminating the department is to have undereducated constituents. “Educated people are easy to lead but difficult to drive,” Smith said. “I am sure that Donald Trump wants to drive people rather than educate them. When you have an uninformed populace, then the lies that he tells are accepted because they don’t know any better.” Freelance reporter Carole Carlson contributed to this story. The Associated Press contributed. akukulka@post-trib.com
