Did Trump Change the School Year: Fact-Checking Viral Claims
No, Trump Did Not Shorten the School Year to 6 Months
Recent TikTok videos and social media posts have falsely claimed that former President Donald Trump proposed reducing the U.S. school year to just six months. These misleading posts, some gaining tens of thousands of views, suggest that Trump made this change due to COVID-19-related disruptions in education.
However, this claim is entirely false. There has been no official policy, executive order, or legislative proposal from Trump or his administration to shorten the academic year.
Why Are These False Claims Trending?
Misinformation often spreads quickly on platforms like TikTok, where sensational headlines attract engagement. Similar fake news has circulated in the past, including:
- False reports that Trump was on his “deathbed” (he remains active in politics).
- Baseless claims that he approved $1,200 payments for stay-at-home moms (no such policy exists).
Trump’s Actual Education Policies
While Trump did not change the school year, his administration took other controversial actions affecting education:
- Attempt to Restructure the Department of Education
- In March 2024, Trump signed an executive order to reduce the Department of Education’s size, though eliminating it entirely would require Congressional approval.
- The Supreme Court later allowed his administration to cut hundreds of jobs within the department.
- Federal Influence on School Policies
- K-12 education is primarily controlled by state and local governments, but the federal government provides funding and guidelines.
- Trump’s administration threatened to withhold funding from universities over allegations of insufficient action against antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests.
Human Rights Perspective: Education Access Matters
False claims about school year changes can cause unnecessary panic among parents, students, and educators. Education is a fundamental human right (recognized under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26), and any real policy changes should be transparent and evidence-based.
- Why spreading misinformation is harmful:
- Creates confusion about children’s right to education.
- Distracts from real debates on improving school systems.
- Undermines trust in credible news sources.
How to Spot Fake News About Education Policies
- Check official government sources (e.g., White House or Department of Education announcements).
- Verify with fact-checking websites like Snopes, PolitiFact, or AP News.
- Be skeptical of viral social media posts without credible sources.
Conclusion
Trump did not change the school year to six months—this is a baseless rumor. While his administration pursued education policy changes, no such drastic measure was ever proposed. Staying informed through reliable sources is crucial to protecting students’ right to quality education.