The U.S. Department of Education has announced the allocation of $500 million to Charter Schools Programs, representing the largest investment in the program's history. The funding aims to provide more high-quality educational options for families and students across the country.
“A one-size fits all education system is not working for our students. Charter schools allow for innovative educational models that expand learning opportunities for students,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The Trump Administration will continue to use every available tool to advocate for meaningful learning, advance school choice, and ensure every student is well-positioned to succeed.”
The Department has distributed awards through all six categories within the Charter Schools Programs: State Entity, Charter School Management Organization, Developer, State Facilities, Credit Enhancement, and Model Dissemination and Development grants. Additional supplemental funding was also provided to current State Entity grantees to help meet increased demand.
Earlier this year during National Charter School Week, Secretary McMahon announced an extra $60 million in funding for charter schools and introduced a new grant opportunity focused on model development and dissemination.
Grant highlights include $293.7 million over five years awarded as State Entity Grants to six states for replicating and expanding high-quality charter schools. Twelve new Model Development and Dissemination Grants totaling $27.6 million will be used over five years to create tools and resources supporting charter school operations.
Charter Management Organization Grants will provide $263 million over five years to 22 new recipients who plan to replicate or expand 147 charter schools nationwide—the highest amount awarded by this grant program so far.
Developer Grants totaling $10.7 million have been allocated over five years for seven new grants—three times more than last year—to assist developers in opening or expanding quality charter schools in states without a CSP State Entity grant.
Three new State Facilities Incentive Grants worth $126 million will help states improve per-pupil facilities aid programs for charter schools. Five Credit Enhancement Grants totaling $95.4 million—the most awarded in a decade—will support innovative approaches for helping charter schools with facility costs.
An additional $51.7 million in supplemental funding is being given to existing State Entity grantees aimed at supporting creation or expansion of charter schools focusing on civics education; career and technical education; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; as well as other innovative models. These funds are intended to address increased demand while supporting priorities such as evidence-based literacy instruction, access to innovative school models, high-impact tutoring, and technical assistance for new or existing charter schools.
