January 29, 2025 Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families - Executive Order
- Fact Seeker
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
Summary of Executive Order on Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families
This order aims at expanding educational options for families through school choice initiatives, increased funding flexibility, and expanded access to private, charter, and faith-based schools. The order directs multiple federal agencies to support educational choice programs through funding mechanisms and policy changes.
Rationale and Policy Objectives
Academic Performance Concerns: According to the 2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP),
70% of 8th graders scored below proficient in reading.
72% of 8th graders scored below proficient in math.
Economic Impact:
School district-based housing assignments drive up home prices, financially straining families.
Expanding school choice could provide better educational outcomes and increased competition among schools.
Existing State Initiatives:
More than a dozen states have universal K-12 scholarship programs, offering families greater educational flexibility.
Research indicates that well-structured school choice programs improve student achievement and encourage public school improvement.
Implementation Measures
1. Federal Support for State-Based School Choice Programs
The Secretary of Education must issue guidance within 60 days outlining how federal funds can support state-run K-12 school choice initiatives.
2. Prioritizing School Choice in Federal Grant Programs
The Departments of Education and Labor must:
Review discretionary grant programs.
Submit a plan within 90 days to expand school choice through available grant funding.
3. Expanding Access for Low-Income and Working Families
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must determine whether block grants—such as the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)—can be used to support school choice.
Guidance must be issued within 90 days to ensure families can access private and faith-based schools through these funds.
4. Expanding Educational Opportunities for Military Families
The Department of Defense (DoD) will:
Review mechanisms that allow military-connected families to use DoD funds for private, faith-based, or charter schools.
Submit a plan within 90 days to implement these mechanisms for the 2025-26 school year.
5. Expanding Educational Choice for Native American Students
The Department of the Interior will:
Review how Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) school funding can be used for private, charter, or faith-based schooling options.
Provide a report on BIE school performance and alternative options within 90 days.
General Provisions and Oversight
Federal agencies must comply with existing laws and budgetary constraints when implementing this order.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will oversee financial and administrative aspects.
Key Takeaways
This order expands educational options by redirecting federal funds to support school choice programs.
It prioritizes access for low-income, military, and Native American families, ensuring more students can attend private, charter, or faith-based schools.
Implementation deadlines range from 60 to 90 days, with agency reports and plans required for the 2025-26 school year.
The executive order underscores a policy shift toward parental choice in education, promoting competition among schools to improve student outcomes and increase educational opportunities nationwide.
Writer's Note: Summary made with the use of AI tools for editing and quick processing, facts checked against the order before publishing.
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