Kamala Harris Unveils Plan to Influence Democrats’ K–12 Agenda by Bringing Back 2020 Proposals

Fortified by a steady stream of support from Democratic endorsers and sizable contributions, Vice President Kamala Harris showcased her potential as a presidential candidate during her appearance at the American Federation of Teachers’ national convention last week.

Engaging with a captivated audience of party loyalists and backed by President Joe Biden’s endorsement, Harris, the newly endorsed figure, vowed to protect labor rights and thwart Republican efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. She particularly lauded the American Federation of Teachers as instrumental in the noble task of educating the nation’s youth, while emphasizing the inadequacy of their compensation.

Despite avoiding concrete commitments in her 20-minute address, only her second major speech since declaring her candidacy in 2024, Harris’ remarks clearly signaled a reiteration of her core campaign message from 2020. In a reminiscent move, she reiterated her $315 billion plan to boost teacher salaries through state and federal funding, aimed at narrowing the pay gap for educators compared to other similarly educated professionals.

Harris’ initial proposal, centered around enhancing teacher pay, resonated with the #RedforEd movement that witnessed a surge in teacher strikes the year before. Her unwavering focus on the educational sector and its workforce, particularly in the face of ongoing post-pandemic challenges, highlighted her dedication to supporting public schools.

Looking ahead, questions loom regarding Harris’s commitment to advancing teacher pay if she emerges victorious in the upcoming election. As the Democratic National Convention nears, the vice president and her advisors must chart a course between radical changes to federal education policies reminiscent of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and a more incremental approach built on the Biden-Harris administration’s current initiatives.

While the current administration has allocated substantial resources towards pandemic relief and student debt relief, criticisms persist regarding the lack of a comprehensive strategy to elevate academic performance and reshape educational delivery methods post-No Child Left Behind Act era. This uncertainty presents Harris with a unique opportunity to shape her vision for the country’s educational landscape without prior binding commitments.

Transitioning to the legacy of the #RedforEd movement, Harris found herself in a similar position during the crowded 2020 primary contests. Amid the intense primary race featuring a historic number of major candidates, she stood out early on as a frontrunner, propelling her commitment towards enhancing K-12 education into the limelight.

At a time when her competitors unveiled grand multi-billion dollar proposals, Harris steered her campaign towards advocating for teacher pay reform by offering substantial raises and financial incentives to reduce wage discrepancies among educators. This distinctive focus on education initiatives amid a myriad of campaign strategies underscored her willingness to prioritize key policy issues often overlooked by others in the race.

The campaign’s emphasis on educational reforms marked a departure from previous administrations’ standardized testing-centric approaches, aligning closely with the evolving landscape of education policies within the Democratic Party. Harris’ robust agenda to revamp teaching practices and support minority-serving colleges resonated with voters and policymakers alike, underscoring her innovative approach to modernize the educational sector.

As the spotlight shifts towards Harris’s potential presidency and the implications for K-12 education, speculation abounds regarding the extent to which she would build on her prior educational policy framework. With the Biden administration’s…