On January 29, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14191, titled “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families.” This directive aims to enhance parental choice in K-12 education by allowing greater flexibility in the use of federal funds, including support for private, charter, and faith-based schools, as well as homeschooling options.

Key Provisions of Executive Order 14191

The executive order outlines several initiatives:

• Policy Statement: Affirms the administration’s commitment to supporting parents in directing their children’s education.
• Guidance on Federal Funds: Instructs the Secretary of Education to issue guidance within 60 days on how states can utilize federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives.
• Discretionary Grant Programs: Directs the Departments of Education and Labor to review discretionary grant programs and identify how they can be used to expand educational freedom for families and teachers.
• Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Review: Allows the Secretary of the Interior to review mechanisms that enable families eligible to attend BIE schools to use their federal funding for other educational options of their choice.

Potential Benefits

Proponents of the executive order suggest several advantages:

• Increased Parental Choice: Empowers parents to select educational environments that align with their values and their children’s needs.
• Enhanced Educational Opportunities: Provides families, especially those in underserved communities, with access to a broader range of educational options.
• Promotion of Innovation: Encourages the development of diverse educational models, potentially leading to improved student outcomes.

Considerations and Implications

While the executive order aims to expand educational freedom, it also raises several considerations:

• Impact on Public Schools: Redirecting federal funds to private and alternative educational institutions may affect the resources available to traditional public schools.
• Equity Concerns: Ensuring that all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, have equal access to the expanded educational options is a critical concern.
• Tribal Education Systems: The provision allowing BIE funding to be used for other educational options has prompted concerns about potential impacts on tribal sovereignty and the federal government’s trust responsibilities to Native American communities . 

Case Studies

1. Florida’s School Choice Program

Florida has implemented a robust school choice program, including vouchers and charter schools. Research indicates that such programs can lead to modest improvements in student achievement and increased parental satisfaction .

2. Milwaukee Parental Choice Program

As one of the oldest voucher programs in the United States, Milwaukee’s initiative has been studied extensively. Findings suggest that students participating in the program have higher graduation rates compared to their peers in public schools .

Conclusion

Executive Order 14191 represents a significant policy shift aimed at increasing educational options for families. While it offers potential benefits in terms of parental choice and educational innovation, it also necessitates careful consideration of its implications on public education funding, equity, and the rights of Native American communities. Ongoing analysis and stakeholder engagement will be essential to assess the long-term impacts of this executive order.

References

Chingos, M. M., & West, M. R. (2015). The effects of school choice on student outcomes. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 34(2), 267-292.

Cowen, J. M. (2008). School choice as a latent variable: Estimating the effects of school choice on student outcomes in Milwaukee. American Journal of Education, 114(2), 173-202.