President signs executive order to expand school choice

President Donald Trump signed an executive order January 29 that would prioritize and free up federal funding to expand school choice programs.

The order, entitled "Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families," directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance that explains how states receiving block grants for families and children can use that money to expand education freedom within the next 90 days.

It also directs the Education Department to prioritize school choice programs through its discretionary grants, in addition to issuing guidance to states about federal allocations to districts and schools.

“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 order says.

The executive order impacts several other federal departments and Prioritizes discretionary grant funding for education freedom programs. It directs Defense Secretary to present a plan to Trump for how military families can use Pentagon funds to send their children to schools of their choosing, and directs the interior secretary to submit a plan for how students at Bureau of Indian Education schools can take advantage of federal funds for school choice.

The Department also announced the release of $33 million in grant funding for Charter Management Organizations under last year’s Charter School Program competition.

The Executive Order comes in the middle of National School Choice Week, which highlights "education freedom" by sharing options for students and families, including public schools, charter schools, private schools and home-schooling.

"School choice empowers parents and guardians to pursue the best learning environment for their children," the Education Department said in a release. "It allows for innovative schooling models and methods that meet the unique needs of students across the nation."