Biden’s Regulatory Agenda on Education
David A. DeSchryver
Fall 2020
What might be done with his pen and his phone, on loan forgiveness, Title IX, testing, and more
What would a Biden presidency mean for education policy? The answer depends on the balance of power in Congress, and, if Democrats take the Senate, whether they eliminate the filibuster. That’s because the bulk of Joe Biden’s official education plans will take congressional action to implement—especially his calls to significantly boost spending on early childhood education, Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the first two years of college, and more.
Still, if the last 12 years have taught us anything, it’s that a president wields significant power through executive orders and regulatory action that do not require congressional consent. Executive authority and regulatory strategies are critical policy tools these days. Whether you view this as appropriate or executive overreach may depend on your party affiliation and who is in office.
So, what can we expect a President Biden to do with pen and his phone, as President Obama put it? Overall, expect quick action to establish the administration’s brand on social justice issues, colored by the Covid-19 experience and the 2020 summer of unrest. In particular, here is a list of actions we will likely see in the early on. The list is divided into actions formally mentioned as campaign promises and others noted more informally during the campaign:
