President Trump is expected to sign an executive order that will direct federal funding toward school choice programs, according to a White House document obtained by CBS News.
The order, set to be signed on Wednesday, aims to give parents more options in choosing schools for their children, including private and faith-based institutions.
The executive order directs several federal departments to adjust their funding strategies to support school choice initiatives.
The Department of Education will prioritize school choice programs through discretionary grants, while the Department of Health and Human Services will issue guidance on using block grants to assist private schools.
The order also calls for a plan to allow military families to use Defense Department funds for private or alternative schooling.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
The executive order outlines several major steps to expand school choice options using federal funds:
- The secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, must develop a plan allowing military families to use Defense Department funds to send their children to the school of their choice.
- The Department of Education will issue guidance to states on how to use federal funding formulas to support K-12 scholarship programs.
- The Department of Health and Human Services will provide guidance on using block grants to help private and faith-based schools.
- The Interior Department must create a plan to allow families of students attending Bureau of Indian Education schools to use federal funds for school choice options.
It remains unclear how much of this plan can be implemented without congressional approval. There is also uncertainty over whether the Office of Management and Budget’s recent directive to pause federal assistance will impact educational grant programs.
A federal judge has already issued a stay on that order, adding further complexity to funding availability.
Concerns Over Educational Performance and the Need for Reform
The executive order comes as new data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for 2024 is expected to show a decline in student performance. According to early findings:
- 40% of fourth graders did not meet basic reading levels, the highest percentage ever recorded.
- The average reading scores for fourth and eighth graders have continued to decline, each dropping two points from 2022.
- 70% of eighth graders were not proficient in reading, and 72% were not proficient in math.
With public school performance continuing to decline, the White House argues that expanding school choice will give families more control over their children’s education.
The administration claims that the current government-assigned school system has failed millions of parents, students, and teachers.
How Much Impact Will Federal Funding Have on School Choice?
Federal funding accounts for about 14% of total public school funding in the U.S., with states contributing about 44% and local governments providing 43%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
While the executive order prioritizes school choice at the federal level, most education funding decisions are made at the state and local levels.
School choice advocates have pushed for additional policies, including tax breaks to help parents pay for private school tuition. However, such measures would require approval from Congress, making them unlikely to be implemented through executive action alone.
Changes in Education Leadership
Trump has nominated former wrestling executive and former head of the Small Business Administration, Linda McMahon, to lead the Department of Education.
However, she has yet to go through confirmation hearings. Until a permanent secretary is confirmed, Denise Carter will continue serving as the acting secretary of education.
Trump’s executive order is the latest effort to expand school choice options across the U.S. By prioritizing federal funding for alternative education programs, the administration hopes to address declining student performance and give families more control over their children’s schooling.
However, the extent of these changes will depend on congressional approval and legal challenges surrounding federal funding allocations.
As school choice remains a highly debated topic, this executive order could have lasting implications for the education system. Supporters argue it will provide better opportunities for students, while critics worry it may divert resources away from public schools.