President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday designed to expand educational opportunities through enhanced parental choice. The order reflects the administration’s commitment to empowering parents with the decision-making power over their children’s education – particularly in light of recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results indicating that 70% of 8th graders are below proficient in reading, and 72% in math.
The executive order, a copy of which was sent to media, critiques the current public education system, noting how the assignment of schools based on geographic location can lead to inflated housing costs, straining family finances.
“When our public education system fails such a large segment of society, it hinders our national competitiveness and devastates families and communities,” the order states. “For this reason, more than a dozen States have enacted universal K-12 scholarship programs, allowing families – rather than the government – to choose the best educational setting for their children.”
President Trump’s directive encourages competition among schools by allowing families to select the best educational setting for their children, potentially spurring improvements in public schools facing competition.
Under the new order – titled “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunities for Families” – the U.S. Secretary of Education is tasked with issuing guidance within 60 days on how states can use federal formula funds to support educational choice initiatives. Furthermore, the Secretaries of Education and Labor are directed to prioritize educational freedom in discretionary grant programs. Detailed plans due within 90 days on how these can be expanded to offer more educational options.
The order also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to explore how block grants, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant, can facilitate educational choices for low-income and working families, potentially extending to private and faith-based schools.
Military families will see specific attention as well, with the Secretary of Defense instructed to review mechanisms by which military-connected families might use Department of Defense funds to fund educational choices, including private, faith-based, or public charter schools, with a plan expected by the next school year.
For students under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Education, the Secretary of the Interior is directed to investigate ways federal funding can be used for alternative educational options, and report on current BIE school performance and nearby educational alternatives.
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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.
