As former teacher Tim Walz takes center stage, will education, too?

For nearly three-quarters of Americans, the economy ranks as their No. 1 issue heading into this year’s presidential election. But 79% of Black voters say improving education should be a top priority for policymakers – higher than any other issue, according to the Pew Research Center.

The U.S. presidential candidates haven’t given education top billing in campaign speeches – at least, not yet – but it’s lurking around the edges in nationwide debates about vouchers, book banning, civil rights, and the potential conservative agenda of Project 2025. On top of that, Vice President Kamala Harris tapped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former teacher and the headliner at the Democratic National Convention tonight, as her running mate. 

All of that “raises the specter” of education in this election cycle, says Kathryn E. Wiley, an assistant professor at Howard University. “It’s an in-the-wings issue,” she says. 

Rebecca Dirks Garcia, a registered nonpartisan and mother in Las Vegas, will be paying close attention to what the contenders say. The economy ranks high on her concern list, she says, with education close behind. 

“If kids don’t get educated,” she says, “that means we have adults who aren’t educated and then as a society we bear that burden.”

Voters say they want lower grocery prices and a more affordable cost of living. Where do schools fall on their wish list? It depends on who you ask.

For nearly three-quarters of Americans, the economy ranks as their No. 1 issue heading into this year’s presidential election. But 79% of Black voters say improving education should be a top priority for policymakers – higher than any other issue, according to a Pew Research Center report.

The presidential candidates haven’t given education top billing in campaign speeches – at least, not yet – but it’s lurking around the edges in nationwide debates about vouchers, book banning, civil rights, and the potential conservative agenda of Project 2025. On top of that, Vice President Kamala Harris tapped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former teacher and the headliner at the Democratic National Convention tonight, as her running mate. 

All of that “raises the specter” of education in this election cycle, says Kathryn E. Wiley, an assistant professor of education at Howard University. “It’s an in-the-wings issue,” she says.

How is education being discussed in the 2024 presidential race?

The post-pandemic years in public education have been defined by academic concerns such as high absenteeism rates and students’ lackluster reading and math skills. Cultural issues, however, have in some ways overshadowed those challenges as clashes over student reading material, history lessons, biblical teachings, and LGBTQ+ rights have erupted across the country.

Now, that rhetoric is spilling over into presidential campaigns. Conservatives, including those from former President Donald Trump’s camp, have slammed a Minnesota law signed by Mr. Walz, arguing that it promotes offering menstrual products in boys’ restrooms. The law does not denote gender, instead calling for the availability of free supplies in restrooms used by fourth through 12th grade students. Still, a #TamponTim hashtag has gained steam on social media.

What does that mean for education policy on the federal stage? Perhaps not much, according to Jonathan Becker, associate professor of educational leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, who teaches a course on politics and education.