Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families
Executive Order 14191, titled Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families, is a presidential directive aimed at broadening educational options for families by encouraging and enabling use of federal funds for K-12 educational choice. The order argues that parental choice and competition can improve student outcomes and nearby public schools, and it seeks to steer federal programs and funds to support education freedom for various groups, including low-income families, military families, and families with children eligible for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. It directs multiple federal agencies to issue guidance, create plans, and prioritize education freedom in discretionary grants, with specific deadlines to begin implementing these options for the 2025-26 school year. The order does not create new rights or entitlements and is to be implemented consistent with existing laws and appropriations. In short, this executive order directs the Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, Defense, and Interior departments to develop and promote mechanisms that allow families to use federal or block grant funds for a wider range of schooling options beyond traditional government-run public schools, including private, faith-based, and public charter schools, where permissible.
Key Points
- 1Policy purpose and scope: The order emphasizes parental choice and the belief that expanding educational freedom can raise student achievement and spur improvements in nearby public schools, while acknowledging existing public-school assignments and affordability concerns.
- 2Guidance on state-based K-12 educational choice: Within 60 days, the Department of Education shall issue guidance on how States can use Federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives.
- 3Discretionary grant priorities and interagency plans: The Secretary of Education shall make education freedom a priority in discretionary grant programs; within 90 days, the Secretaries of Labor and Education shall review their discretionary grant programs and submit plans to the President detailing how such programs could expand education freedom for families and teachers.
- 4Opportunities for low-income and working families: Within 90 days, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance on how States receiving block grants (including the Child Care and Development Block Grant) can use them to expand educational choice and support families who opt for educational alternatives to governmental entities, including private and faith-based options.
- 5Targeted provisions for military and BIE families: Within 90 days, the Secretary of Defense shall explore mechanisms to allow military-connected families to use DoD funds for schools of their choice (private, faith-based, or public charter) and prepare a plan for 2025-26; within 90 days, the Secretary of the Interior shall review mechanisms for families of students eligible for BIE schools to use federal funding for educational options and prepare a plan for 2025-26, including reporting on BIE school performance and nearby educational options.
- 6General provisions: The order preserves existing agency authorities and budgetary processes, is to be implemented consistent with law and appropriations, and does not create enforceable rights.