Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Expands Educational Opportunities for American Families

January 30, 2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Objective: Expand educational freedom by empowering parental choice in directing their children’s upbringing and education.
Departmental Directives:
- Department of Education: Issue guidance for States to use federal funding formulas to support K-12 scholarship programs and prioritize school choice in discretionary grants.
- Department of Health and Human Services: Provide guidance on using block grants for children and families to support educational alternatives, including private and faith-based options.
- Department of Defense: Submit a plan for how military families can use DoD funds for school choice.
- Department of the Interior: Submit a plan for how families with students attending Bureau of Indian Education schools can use federal funds for school choice.
Rationale & Data: Cites NAEP findings showing significant underperformance in reading and math, underscoring the need for improved education opportunities and making a case for school choice programs that have demonstrated cost-effectiveness and enhanced safety.
Support & Impact: Highlights strong bipartisan and demographic support for school choice, with evidence of improved academic performance where such programs exist.
Past Accomplishments: Builds on earlier actions from the Trump Administration, including legislative calls for school choice, increased public charter school investments, reauthorization of scholarship programs, and enabling tax-free withdrawals from 529 education savings plans.

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 funding formulas for K-12 scholarship programs. 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: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – No specific enforcement delay or implementation deadline was provided; the directives only instruct agencies to issue guidance or submit plans without explicit time limits.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Education: Directed to issue guidance for states on using federal funding formulas to support K-12 scholarship programs and to prioritize school choice programs within its discretionary grant programs.
Department of Health and Human Services: Instructed to provide guidance on how states receiving block grants for children and families can utilize those funds to support educational alternatives, including private and faith-based options.
Department of Defense: Required to submit a plan for enabling military families to use Department of Defense funds to select the school of their choice.
Department of the Interior: Tasked with submitting a plan on how families with students attending Bureau of Indian Education schools can use federal funds to send their children to a school of their choice.

Relevance Score: 2 (A moderate number of Federal Agencies are impacted by the order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Education – Responsible for issuing guidance on federal funding formulas for K-12 scholarship programs and for prioritizing school choice programs within discretionary grant initiatives.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Tasked with providing guidance on utilizing block grants for children and families to support educational alternatives.
Secretary of Defense – Required to submit a plan detailing how military families can use Department of Defense funds for school choice.
Secretary of the Interior – Instructed to submit a plan for how families with students in Bureau of Indian Education schools can leverage federal funds for alternative schooling options.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect Cabinet-level officials responsible for major federal agencies, significantly impacting policy implementation across key sectors.)