Trump Issues Executive Order to Boost School Choice and Curb Classroom Indoctrination
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed a significant executive order on Wednesday aimed at expanding school choice and directing federal funding to support alternative education options for families.
The order impacts multiple federal departments and mandates that the Department of Education prioritize school choice initiatives through discretionary grants. It also requires the agency to issue guidance to states on utilizing federal funds for school choice programs, a senior White House official confirmed.
“Within 60 days of this order, the Secretary of Education shall issue guidance on how states can leverage federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives,” the directive states.
Titled Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families, the order also instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to clarify how states receiving block grants for families and children can allocate those funds to faith-based and private institutions within 90 days.
Additionally, the directive calls for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop a plan enabling military families to use Pentagon funds for schooling alternatives. The Interior Secretary is also tasked with formulating a strategy to allow students at Bureau of Indian Education schools to access federal funding for school choice.
CBS News was the first to report on the expected signing of the order.
Frederick Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, called the move a “notable policy shift.” “Given the concerning results from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress released today, it’s encouraging to see efforts aimed at increasing educational opportunities for families,” Hess remarked.
Derrell Bradford, president of 50CAN, a nonprofit advocating for school choice, emphasized the importance of the order’s timing. “This announcement coincides with National School Choice Week, a time when families, students, and educators nationwide celebrate the benefits of school choice. We look forward to seeing the administration’s recommendations,” he said.
Recognizing National School Choice Week, the Education Department highlighted its commitment to educational freedom, promoting options like public schools, charter schools, private institutions, and homeschooling. “School choice empowers parents to seek the best educational environment for their children,” the department stated.
However, critics argue that school choice programs, particularly voucher initiatives, can undermine public education. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, contended that research suggests such programs negatively impact student performance. “Vouchers now subsidize wealthy families who already send their children to private and religious schools, diverting resources away from public schools,” she asserted at the union’s annual convention.
Trump has long championed school choice, referring to it as “the civil rights issue of our time” during his campaign. His administration has consistently advocated for policies ensuring all families have access to quality education, regardless of their ZIP code.
In addition to the school choice expansion, the White House announced that Trump signed a separate executive order targeting ideological bias in K-12 education. The order mandates that several Cabinet members draft an “Ending Indoctrination Strategy” within 90 days to address and eliminate federal funding for “illegal and discriminatory treatment” in schools.
This order also references the 1776 Commission, a previous Trump-era initiative aimed at reinforcing patriotic education in school curricula.
Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, former WWE CEO and head of the Small Business Administration during his first term, has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.
Yamiche Alcindor and Rebecca Shabad reported from Washington, with additional reporting by Dareh Gregorian from New York.