The Impact of the New Executive Order on School Choice Week
On Wednesday, President Trump signed an Executive Order called “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families.” This important step aims to give parents more choices in their children’s education, making this year’s National School Choice Week particularly special.
Here are some key points from the Executive Order:
- It clearly supports parents in making decisions about their children’s upbringing and education.
- The Secretary of Education is asked to provide guidance for states on how to use federal funds for education freedom.
- It prioritizes funding for programs that promote education freedom.
- The Secretary of Health and Human Services will guide states on using block grants to expand education opportunities.
- The Secretary of Defense will ensure military families have access to educational choices.
- The Secretary of the Interior will identify ways for children eligible for Bureau of Indian Education schools to gain educational freedom.
The emphasis on funding for education freedom could open doors for many students to attend nonpublic schools. This is especially significant for families who are on waiting lists for programs due to limited funding.
The President used National School Choice Week to show his support for lawmakers in Tennessee who are working on a bill for universal education freedom. This bill has now passed and is headed to Governor Lee’s desk. Both the President and the Governor’s backing has been crucial in getting this initiative off the ground.
In addition to Tennessee, the Wyoming House recently approved the Freedom Scholarship Act, aiming to create a universal program for all students in the state. Lawmakers in Texas, South Carolina, and New Hampshire are also pushing for similar initiatives.
Recently, ALEC released the 2025 Index of State Education Freedom, ranking Florida as the top state for two consecutive years. Other high-ranking states include Arizona, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and West Virginia—all of which have universal education freedom programs. If states continue their legislative efforts, they could enhance their rankings in future reports. Tennessee has already set its sights on a top ranking after passing the Education Freedom Act.
As we honor National School Choice Week, it’s clear that support for education freedom is growing. Recent polls show that 76% of Americans are in favor of education scholarship accounts. In addition, 69% support tax-credit scholarship programs, 67% back vouchers, and 63% favor charter schools.
It’s just the start of 2025, but it’s shaping up to be a significant year for families seeking educational options. With ongoing support from the Trump administration, we can anticipate continued growth in education freedom in the coming years!
Check out this related article: Florida Universities Trim Courses on Systemic Racism and Privilege: What You Need to Know
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