Trump Unveils Bold Plan to Transform America’s Education System: What You Need to Know

This week, Trump announced new executive orders that aim to change education in the United States. His focus is on giving parents more options in where to send their children to school, through expanding private school vouchers.

According to one of the orders, the Secretary of Education has 60 days to provide guidance on how states can use federal funds to support school choice initiatives. This could allow families to access more funding for private schools that share Trump’s ideals.

While Trump looks to take a bigger role in education, most funding and control still lie with the states. How these executive orders will actually be carried out is still unclear and may face legal challenges.

Two key orders discuss shifting resources to support K-12 schools that focus on what they call “patriotic education.” This includes reducing certain topics like “gender ideology” in the classroom and promoting more school choice options.

Experts suggest that while these orders signal a shift, they don’t immediately change much. Jon Valant from the Brookings Institution explained that these orders mostly instruct federal agencies to develop plans to implement them. However, he noted that they could influence schools’ behavior to align with Trump’s goals to avoid potential penalties.

There are also contradictions in the new policies. Jonathan Zimmerman, a historian in education policy, pointed out that the order meant to end “radical indoctrination” seems to impose its own views on what should be taught. This could limit educational content rather than promote diverse learning.

Another significant point is the legal validity of these school choice expansions. The orders suggest that every state could use federal funds to support vouchers for private schools. Yet, the legality of such actions remains uncertain, prompting possible legal disputes.

Supporters of school choice, like Robert Enlow from EdChoice, celebrated the executive orders, stating they empower parents in deciding their children’s education. Conversely, critics like Randi Weingarten from the American Federation of Teachers argue that these orders undermine community schools and their vital services.

In recent years, the use of private school vouchers has increased. States like Ohio and Arkansas have broadened their voucher programs, enabling more parents to access private education funding. Arizona even introduced a universal voucher program in 2022.

Despite support for school choice in many Republican-led states, some lawmakers may resist federal control over education. As Valant noted, the local control approach might make significant federal changes challenging. Additionally, many anticipate legal challenges as the implications of these orders unfold in classrooms across the country.