Trump’s Education Revolution: Empowering Families with New Choices and Opportunities

WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump is pushing for more options in education. He has asked federal agencies to look into how they can shift existing funds to support alternatives to traditional public schools. This effort is part of an executive order aimed at increasing school choice for families.

School choice gives parents the power to choose where their kids go to school. They can use public funds to enroll their children in private, charter, or magnet schools. The goal is to offer better educational options, especially for low-income families, while also boosting competition and improving student outcomes. Supporters say this increases opportunities, but critics worry it may take money away from public schools.

The American Federation of Teachers is not in favor of this initiative. They argue that vouchers mostly help wealthy families whose kids are already in private schools. Eligibility for these vouchers changes depending on the state and the specific program. Many are designed to help low- and middle-income families, students with disabilities, or those in schools that aren’t performing well. Still, nine states, including Arizona and Florida, have recently expanded these options to make almost all families eligible for state-funded education choices.

The executive order also tells the Department of Education to help states find ways to use federal funds to support K-12 scholarships. This could lead to existing federal money being redirected to strengthen school choice programs. The government has even announced $33 million in grants for charter management organizations through the Charter Schools Program.

Meanwhile, federal, state, and local governments are investing heavily in K-12 public education. In 2024, they allocated $878.2 billion, which amounts to about $17,700 for each student. The effect of shifting funds to support school choice will depend on how each state’s education department decides to handle these changes and the level of federal funding they receive.