As Donald Trump resumes his presidency, he’s quickly moved to reshape educational standards across the United States through new executive orders.
Unlike his previous term, Trump’s recent directives focus on expanding school choice options and combatting what he labels as “radical indoctrination” in schools.
This shift comes in the face of limitations on the federal government’s role in K-12 education.
Executive Orders and School Choice
On Wednesday, Trump called for federal agencies to investigate how to enhance school choice and develop strategies to confront indoctrination as defined by his administration.
Although these orders pledge federal support for these efforts, they also highlight a critical fact: the federal government lacks direct control over school curriculums and cannot unilaterally cut funding from specific educational institutions or programs.
Experts suggest that Trump’s administration is adopting a bolder posture compared to past initiatives.
Derek Black, a law professor at the University of South Carolina specializing in education law, noted that the administration, while acknowledging its limitations, shows a willingness to apply pressure in areas where authority is not clearly defined.
Deep Dive Into the Executive Order on ‘Radical Indoctrination’
One of Trump’s executive orders focuses on the potential withdrawal of federal funds from schools that engage in practices associated with what he refers to as indoctrination linked to “gender ideology” and a “discriminatory equity ideology.” Additionally, he has reestablished the 1776 Commission, which promotes “patriotic education,” an initiative previously dismantled by former President Joe Biden.
The order attempts to define “radical indoctrination” and specifies two ideologies that Trump finds concerning.
The first is “discriminatory equity ideology,” which he argues groups identity should not take precedence over individual merit, suggesting it leads to sweeping generalizations about morality.
The order notes perspectives that classify certain races or genders as inherently superior or depict the United States as fundamentally unjust.
The second troubling ideology pointed out in the order is dubbed “gender ideology,” which Trump associates with notions that contradict traditional ideas of biological sex.
He posits that students are being encouraged to question their identities and adopt critical views of their family structures.
While Trump and some Republican leaders tout the prevalence of critical race theory in classrooms, evidence indicates that K-12 teachers encounter it infrequently.
Consequences for School Funding
Though the executive order does not lead to an immediate funding cut for schools, it charges federal agencies with outlining strategies to retract support from those viewed as “discriminatory” according to the administration’s criteria.
Agencies will have three months to identify various funding sources, including grants tied to K-12 education and educator training that supposedly demonstrate indoctrination.
However, it’s essential to emphasize that the Department of Education lacks the authority to directly dictate school curricula or execute funding cuts independently.
The executive order does not grant the administration the power to pull funding outright.
Existing nondiscrimination laws, such as Title IX and Title VI, require a thorough investigation by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights before any funding cuts can occur.
Additionally, regulations are in place to ensure that funding cannot be eliminated entirely, to protect students and programs that have not engaged in any alleged wrongdoing.
The second executive order tasks federal agencies with assessing how they can redirect funds to allow families more options, including private and charter schools.
However, this order does not immediately open the door for students to use public funds for private education.
Rather, it lays the groundwork for a potential future expansion of school choice initiatives.
It’s important to recognize that the Department of Education cannot simply reallocate funds for voucher programs without following established regulations.
At the same time, Republican lawmakers in Congress are advancing legislation that reflects the goals of Trump’s executive orders, particularly regarding the expansion of school choice through a proposed federal tax-credit scholarship initiative.
This concurrent legislative effort indicates a significant shift in the federal approach to education policy, especially regarding control over curricula and opportunities for school choice.
Source: Edweek