Trump's educational reform initiative in Puerto Rico focuses sharply on the dismantling of the Department of Education.

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Principal Maraida Caraballo Martinez has worked in Puerto Rico's education system for 28 years, and now leads Escuela de la Communidad Jaime C. Rodriguez in Yabucoa. She's never known how much money her school will receive from the government each year, as it's not based on enrollment numbers. One year, she got $36,000; another, it was $12,000. However, under the Biden administration, Caraballo noticed a significant improvement - she received a $250,000 grant, a massive amount, which she used to enhance her school's library, classrooms, robotics program, and sports court. "It made a huge difference for the school," Caraballo said.

Yabucoa, a small town in southeast Puerto Rico, was one of the regions hardest hit by Hurricane Maria in 2017, and has experienced constant disruptions since then due to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and landslides, followed by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The education system in Puerto Rico - the seventh-largest school district in the United States - has been made more vulnerable by the island's overwhelming debt, emigration, and a crippled power grid.

During the Biden administration, there were tentative gains, supported by billions of dollars and sustained attention from top federal education officials. Now, people on the island worry that these gains will be dismantled with the change in the White House. Trump's administration showed significant disregard for Puerto Rico, with Trump reportedly saying the island was "dirty" and the people were poor. During his first term, he withheld billions of dollars in federal aid after Hurricane Maria and has suggested selling the island or swapping it for Greenland.

A recent executive order to make English the official language has caused concern for people in Puerto Rico, where only 1 in 5 speak fluent English, and Spanish is the medium of instruction in schools. Trump aims to eradicate the U.S. Department of Education and has already made sweeping cuts to the agency, which will have widespread implications across the island. Even if federal funds - which last year made up over two-thirds of Puerto Rico's Department of Education (PRDE) budget - were transferred directly to the local government, it would likely lead to worse outcomes for the most vulnerable children, according to educators and policymakers. The PRDE has been plagued by political interference, bureaucracy, and a lack of transparency.

Miguel Cardona, Biden's secretary of education, promised a "new day" for Puerto Rico during his tenure, signing off on almost $6 billion in federal dollars for the island's education system. He increased teacher pay, funded after-school tutoring programs, hired hundreds of school mental health professionals, and created a pilot program to decentralize the PRDE.

Cardona designated Chris Soto as his point person for Puerto Rico's education system, highlighting the federal commitment. During nearly four years in office, he made more than 50 trips to the island, working closely with the president of the teachers union, Victor Manuel Bonilla Sánchez, to secure a raise of $1,000 per month for teachers - the largest increase in Puerto Rico's history.

One of the biggest complaints Soto heard was how rigid and bureaucratic the PRDE was, despite a 2018 education reform law allowing for more local control. He created and oversaw a pilot program in Ponce, focusing on decentralization. For the first time, the community elected an advisory board of education, superintendent candidates had to apply instead of being appointed, and the superintendent was given the authority to sign off on budget requests directly rather than going through officials in San Juan. This allows for spending decisions based on individual schools' needs.

However, Puerto Rico's newly elected governor, Jenniffer González Colón, wants to undo Cardona's signature effort in Ponce. Governor Colón is a Republican and a Trump supporter, and Eliezer Ramos Parés, the popular secretary of education, has returned to head the department. Ramos said the program won't continue in its current form, calling it "inefficient."

At this point, everyone is unsure what the future holds for Puerto Rico's education system. However, there is hope that the goodwill built during the Biden administration can be built upon, as there is still a lot of opportunity for change. Principal Caraballo remains optimistic that Ramos, with whom she's worked before, can turn things around for her school. But the stresses of the past few years have taken their toll, and she's struggling to retire due to a faltering pension system and expenses caused by the island's high cost of living.

Contact editor Caroline Preston at 212-870-8965, or Signal at CarolineP.83, or email at preston@our website.

This story about Puerto Rican schools was produced by our nonprofit, independent news organization, The 74, focused on inequality and innovation in education. To stay informed, sign up for our free weekly newsletter.

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[1] National Science Foundation (NSF): Proposed Budget Cuts under Trump Administration's 2025 Budget Proposal - https://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/budget25/

[2] Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Funds for Fiscal Year 2025 - https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/overview.html

[3] Puerto Rico Universities Face Budget Pressures and Closures - https://www.miamiherald.com/news/education/article223832295.html

The uncertainty in Puerto Rico's education system, particularly in funding, is a long-standing issue, as Principal Caraballo's school’s annual grants have varied significantly.
Innovation in education, such as the use of grants for school enhancements, has made a significant difference in communities like Yabucoa, demonstrating the impact of federal intervention.
Special education, teacher training, and community schools are all critical components of education, yet the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE) has been plagued by political interference, bureaucracy, and lack of transparency, affecting the outcomes for the most vulnerable children.
The future of education in Puerto Rico remains uncertain, with potential changes in federal funding and policies under a new administration. However, the need for attention to innovation, charter schools, and special education, especially in light of the island's unique challenges, remains crucial.

Trump's educational reform initiative in Puerto Rico focuses sharply on the dismantling of the Department of Education.