President Trump on Monday criticized American public schools for what he described as a failure in education, advocating for his school choice plan as a superior alternative for students. He emphasized a commitment to empowering parents in educational decisions.
During an event focused on school choice, the President stated that only 30 percent of students demonstrated proficiency in reading and math, attributing this to the previous administration’s policies. As the new school year approaches, he pledged to reverse several educational policies from the Biden administration, reintroduce whole milk in school cafeterias, and champion his school choice initiative to give parents more control over their children’s education.
Speaking from the Rose Garden, the President asserted that parents, as those who love their children most, should be in charge of their education. He also mentioned efforts to remove what he termed far-left extremism from classrooms, aiming to ensure every American child receives a first-class education.
The President highlighted his One Big Beautiful Bill, which established a federal tax credit to expand school choice through scholarship organizations. This program requires states to opt in, and currently, 30 states have done so. Under the program, taxpayers can contribute up to $1,700 to a qualified scholarship-granting organization and receive a full refund. Scholarship funds can be used for essential educational expenses, including tuition and books, at public, private, or religious institutions.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon commended the administration’s actions, stating that the current school year signifies a return to common sense in American education. She noted the administration’s efforts to shift educational decision-making back to the states, citing six state waivers that allow for independent educational choices. These waivers, granted to Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Vermont, enable state leaders to allocate federal funds based on their students’ needs rather than federal directives. Additionally, 25 states have received EdFlex authority, permitting them to waive certain federal requirements without prior approval from the Education Department.
The President also pointed to other changes made during his tenure, including ending critical race theory and transgender discussions in schools, reinstating the presidential fitness test, and bringing back whole milk as a cafeteria option. He announced the reintroduction of patriotic education for youth to commemorate the country’s 250th birthday, which will involve mobile museums traveling nationwide to educate children about American heroes.
