President Donald Trump earlier this week vowed in a social media post to bring education “BACK TO THE STATES, where it belongs.” On Wednesday, the White House announced a series of executive orders aimed at giving Georgia and other states greater oversight over education policy. Here are five actions:
Expanding school choice
Within 60 days, the U.S. Secretary of Education shall issue guidance regarding how states can use federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives. Trump has been outspoken about his desire to help parents receive federal funding to put their children in private schools or other educational programs that improve their academic performance. Georgia lawmakers along party lines last year passed the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, a voucher program that lets qualifying families use up to $6,500 of public money for education expenses, including private school tuition.
Eliminating funding for some programs
Trump signed an executive order that says within 90 days federal agencies must develop a plan to eliminate funding to schools that support “discriminatory treatment and indoctrination.” The Trump administration has taken several steps to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government, and this order is an apparent attempt to address such programs in schools and in their curriculum.
More parental rights
One executive order would pull funding for schools that interfere with a parent efforts to get information about the school’s curriculum, records, physical examinations, surveys and other matters. Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into law in 2022 known as the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” that guarantees access to classroom instructional materials.
‘Social transition’ of minors
Trump’s order would also require the federal government to coordinate with Georgia’s attorney general to take appropriate actions against K-12 teachers and school officials “unlawfully practicing medicine by offering diagnoses and treatment without the requisite license” or “unlawfully facilitating the social transition of a minor student.” Trump has taken several similar actions to roll back protections for transgender people. He signed an executive order earlier this week aimed at cutting federal support for certain types of gender-affirming care for people under age 19.
Combating antisemitism
Trump signed an executive order that demanding a plan within 60 days from federal officials to curb antisemitism in schools. It calls for an analysis of all pending administrative complaints involving colleges and universities alleging civil rights violations related to or arising since the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel and that nation’s subsequent war with Hamas. Trump has pledged to deport non-citizen college students and others who took part in pro-Palestinian protests.
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