Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families

January 29, 2025

Presidential Actions

View Original

Action Summary

Purpose: Enhance educational outcomes by supporting parental choice and addressing shortcomings in the current governmental K-12 public school system, as highlighted by recent NAEP scores.
Policy Directive: The Administration will back parents in directing their children’s education, promoting competition and educational choice.
State-based Educational Choice Guidance: The Secretary of Education will provide guidance within 60 days on using Federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives.
Discretionary Grant Programs:
- The Secretary of Education will prioritize education freedom in discretionary grant programs.
- Both the Secretaries of Labor and Education will review their grant programs and submit recommendations within 90 days on leveraging grants to expand education freedom for families and teachers.
Opportunities for Low-Income, Working Families: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue guidance within 90 days on using block grants (e.g., the CCDGB) to support educational alternatives, including private and faith-based options.
Support for Military Families: The Secretary of Defense will evaluate and report within 90 days on mechanisms allowing military-connected families to use Defense funds for school choice, including private, faith-based, or charter schools, effective for the 2025-26 school year.
Support for BIE-Eligible Children: The Secretary of the Interior will review and report on mechanisms within 90 days that enable families of students eligible for Bureau of Indian Education schools to use Federal funds for alternative educational options, including performance reporting of BIE schools.
General Provisions:
- The order does not impair existing executive departmental authorities or the functions of the Office of Management and Budget.
- Implementation is subject to applicable law and funding availability, without conferring enforceable legal rights.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s emphasis on educational choice could lead to increased competition among educational institutions, potentially diverting resources away from public schools and affecting their quality and sustainability.
There is a risk that the focus on educational freedom might exacerbate inequalities if not all families have equal access to the resources needed to take advantage of these choices, potentially widening the gap between students from different socio-economic backgrounds.
The implementation of this order depends heavily on the availability of federal funds and the cooperation of state governments. Any delays or disagreements in these areas could hinder the effectiveness of the proposed initiatives.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in K-12 education could affect its future student body, particularly in terms of preparedness and diversity.

Impacted Programs

Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt may see increased demand for research and expertise in educational choice and policy implementation. This could present opportunities for collaboration with state and federal agencies.
Vanderbilt’s Financial Aid Office might need to adjust its strategies to accommodate students coming from diverse educational backgrounds, including those from private and charter schools.
The Office of Community Engagement could play a crucial role in supporting local public schools that may be affected by the shift towards educational choice, helping to ensure that they continue to serve their communities effectively.
Vanderbilt’s partnerships with public schools for teacher training and student teaching placements may need to be reevaluated to ensure alignment with the new educational policies.

Financial Impact

The reallocation of federal funds towards educational choice initiatives could impact the funding landscape for public schools, potentially leading to reduced financial support for traditional public education systems.
Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding opportunities, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize educational freedom. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application strategies and partnerships.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in educational policy and reform, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Education and other federal agencies.
As educational choice becomes more prevalent, there could be a shift in the demographics of students applying to Vanderbilt, potentially affecting tuition revenue and financial aid distribution.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

Peabody College of Education and Human Development should closely monitor the guidance issued by the Secretary of Education regarding the use of Federal formula funds for K-12 educational choice initiatives. This will be crucial in understanding how these changes might impact educational policies and funding at the state level. Engaging with state education departments to align Vanderbilt’s educational programs with new federal guidelines could enhance the university’s influence in shaping educational reforms.
The Office of Federal Relations should establish a task force to evaluate the implications of discretionary grant programs prioritizing education freedom. By identifying potential grant opportunities, Vanderbilt can position itself to secure funding that supports innovative educational programs and research initiatives. This proactive approach will ensure that the university remains competitive in securing federal resources.
Vanderbilt’s Financial Aid Office should assess the potential impact of expanded educational choice on student demographics and financial aid needs. As more families may opt for private or faith-based educational options, understanding these shifts will be essential for adapting financial aid strategies to attract and support a diverse student body.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader societal impacts of educational choice policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect educational equity, community dynamics, and long-term economic outcomes. Sharing these findings with policymakers and the public can enhance Vanderbilt’s role as a thought leader in education policy.
Vanderbilt’s Military and Veterans Affairs Office should explore partnerships with the Department of Defense to support military-connected families in accessing educational opportunities. By understanding the mechanisms available for military families, Vanderbilt can tailor its outreach and support services to better serve this community.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Peabody College to expand its research and development of educational choice models. By leveraging its expertise in education policy and reform, Peabody can contribute to the design and evaluation of effective educational choice programs, potentially influencing national education policy.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on educational freedom by developing new programs and partnerships with private and faith-based educational institutions. This could include joint research initiatives, student exchange programs, and collaborative curriculum development, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in the education sector.
The emphasis on supporting low-income and working families through block grants offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Child and Family Policy to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the center can influence how these funds are allocated and used to support educational equity and access.
The order’s focus on improving educational options for children eligible for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university can develop targeted outreach and support programs for Native American students, enhancing their educational opportunities and success.
By engaging with the broader educational community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on educational reform. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of educational choice policies can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative educational thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to funding impacts.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.6

Timeline for Implementation

Within 60 days: Guidance on how States can use Federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives must be issued by the Secretary of Education (Section 3).
Within 90 days: Several actions are required:
- The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall review discretionary grant programs and submit a plan (Section 4(b)).
- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance on using block grants to expand educational choice (Section 5).
- The Secretary of Defense shall review funding mechanisms for military-connected families and submit an implementation plan (Section 6).
- The Secretary of the Interior shall review mechanisms for families of students eligible for BIE schools and submit a plan (Section 7).

The shortest directive timeline is 60 days, which falls into the 60-89 days range.

Relevance Score: 3

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Education: Charged with issuing guidance on supporting state-based K-12 educational choice initiatives and prioritizing education freedom in discretionary grant programs.
Department of Labor: Required to review its discretionary grant programs in coordination with the Department of Education to expand educational freedom.
Department of Health and Human Services: Tasked with guiding the use of block grants (including CCDGB) to support alternative educational options for low-income, working families.
Department of Defense: Mandated to review and plan mechanisms by which military families might utilize available funds for school choice options.
Department of the Interior: Instructed to examine and propose mechanisms for families of children eligible for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools to access alternative educational options.

Relevance Score: 2 (Between 3 and 5 agencies are directly affected by the executive order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Education – Responsible for issuing guidance on how States can use Federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives and including education freedom as a priority in discretionary grant programs.
Secretary of Labor – Tasked with reviewing discretionary grant programs and submitting a plan to the President via the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Charged with issuing guidance on the use of block grants to support educational choice for low-income, working families.
Secretary of Defense – Required to review mechanisms allowing military families to use Department of Defense funds for various school options.
Secretary of the Interior – Assigned to review mechanisms for families with children eligible for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools and report on performance and educational options.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect multiple Cabinet-level officials, indicating significant impact on high-level leadership decisions.)