What Educators Need to Know About Trump’s Executive Orders

Pullman & Comley School Law attorneys Zachary Schurin and Melinda Kaufmann authored “What Educators Need to Know About Trump’s Executive Orders” for District Administration, a national publication for K-12 education leaders. The article examines how nearly 200 executive orders issued by the Trump administration are reshaping K–12 education. According to the article, these orders address a broad array of topics such as school discipline, racial preferences, gender, and athletics, “fundamentally reshaping the legal and regulatory landscape for K12 education.”

The article notes that schools must carefully navigate compliance as federal directives may conflict with state anti-discrimination laws, particularly regarding gender identity and participation in athletics. It also highlights increased scrutiny on diversity and equity programs, parental notification policies, and district partnerships with nonprofits. Schurin and Kaufmann emphasize that administrators should “monitor court rulings closely, especially those that address funding eligibility or compliance obligations,” and engage with state education departments and professional associations to ensure consistent, lawful policies that protect students.

To read the full article, please visit the District Administration website.