Addressing the shortcomings of the current public education system, the order directs federal agencies to explore using existing funds to support state-based educational choice initiatives, prioritize education freedom in grant programs, and provide guidance on using block grants to expand educational choices for low-income families and military families.
It also mandates a review of funding mechanisms for families of children eligible for Bureau of Indian Education schools.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to improve the education, well-being, and future success of America’s most prized resource, her young citizens, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. Parents want and deserve the best education for their children. But too many children do not thrive in their assigned, government-run K-12 school. According to this year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 70 percent of 8th graders were below proficient in reading, and 72 percent were below proficient in math. Moreover, geographically based school assignments exacerbate the cost of housing in districts with preferred schools, straining the finances of millions of American families sacrificing for their children’s futures.
When our public education system fails such a large segment of society, it hinders our national competitiveness and devastates families and communities. For this reason, more than a dozen States have enacted universal K-12 scholarship programs, allowing families — rather than the government — to choose the best educational setting for their children. These States have highlighted the most promising avenue for education reform: educational choice for families and competition for residentially assigned, government-run public schools. The growing body of rigorous research demonstrates that well-designed education-freedom programs improve student achievement and cause nearby public schools to improve their performance.
This section establishes the purpose of the order.
It highlights the widespread underperformance of the current K-12 system, as evidenced by low NAEP scores and the financial strain on families due to housing costs near desirable schools.
The order cites successful state-level educational choice programs as a model for nationwide reform, emphasizing the positive impact of parental choice on student outcomes and public school improvement.
The section explains the negative impacts of failing schools on national competitiveness and families.
It argues that educational choice programs create competition that is beneficial to public education.
Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of my Administration to support parents in choosing and directing the upbringing and education of their children.
This section declares the administration's policy of supporting parental rights in choosing their children's education.
Sec. 3. Guidance on Supporting State-based K-12 Educational Choice. Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Education shall issue guidance regarding how States can use Federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives.
The Secretary of Education must issue guidelines within 60 days on how states can utilize federal funds to support educational choice programs.
Sec. 4. Encouraging Education Freedom through Discretionary Grant Programs. (a) The Secretary of Education shall include education freedom as a priority in discretionary grant programs, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.
(b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall review their respective discretionary grant programs and each submit a plan to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, that identifies, evaluates, and makes recommendations regarding using relevant discretionary grant programs to expand education freedom for America’s families and teachers.
This section directs the Secretary of Education to prioritize education freedom in discretionary grant programs.
It also requires the Secretaries of Education and Labor to review their grant programs and submit plans within 90 days on how to expand education freedom using these funds.
Sec. 5. Expanding Opportunities for Low-Income, Working Families. Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance regarding whether and how States receiving block grants for families and children from the Department, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDGB), can use them to expand educational choice and support families who choose educational alternatives to governmental entities, including private and faith-based options.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services must provide guidance within 90 days on how states can use block grants (including the Child Care and Development Block Grant) to expand educational options for low-income families and support private/faith-based alternatives.
Sec. 6. Helping Military Families. Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall review any available mechanisms under which military-connected families may use funds from the Department of Defense to attend schools of their choice, including private, faith-based, or public charter schools, and submit a plan to the President describing such mechanisms and the steps that would be necessary to implement them beginning in the 2025-26 school year.
The Secretary of Defense must review and submit a plan within 90 days on how military families can utilize Department of Defense funds to choose schools of their choice, effective in the 2025-26 school year.
**Sec. 7. Helping Children Eligible for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Schools. **Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall review any available mechanisms under which families of students eligible to attend BIE schools may use their Federal funding for educational options of their choice, including private, faith-based, or public charter schools, and submit a plan to the President describing such mechanisms and the steps that would be necessary to implement them for the 2025-26 school year. The Secretary shall report on the current performance of BIE schools and identify educational options in nearby areas.
The Secretary of the Interior must review funding mechanisms within 90 days for families of children eligible for Bureau of Indian Education schools, submit a plan for using federal funding for alternative schools starting in 2025-26, report on BIE school performance, and identify nearby educational options.
Sec. 8. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
This section includes standard legal clauses.
It clarifies that the order does not affect existing legal authorities, is subject to available funding, and doesn't create any new legal rights or benefits.