The U.S. Department of Education began its celebration of National School Choice Week, which aims to highlight the variety of educational options available across the country and encourage families to select the best learning environments for their children.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “During National School Choice Week, we celebrate how school choice has changed the lives of millions of students by empowering parents and families to choose a school or program that best meets their child’s needs. That's why the Trump Administration has worked to invest a record $500 million for charter school expansion, support the first-ever federal tax credit for education scholarships, and most importantly, return education to the states – so that decisions are made closest to the child. Happy National School Choice Week, and here’s to giving parents more power, educators more flexibility, and students more freedom to be successful in 2026!”
National School Choice Week is marking its 16th anniversary from January 25-31.
In President Trump’s second term, several initiatives have been launched by the Department of Education to expand school choice. These include allocating $500 million to Charter Schools Programs—described as the largest investment in this area so far—and advocating for what it calls the largest national expansion of education freedom through an Education Freedom Tax Credit. The Department also urged states to use up to three percent of their federal Title I funds on education choice efforts.
Other measures highlighted by the department include providing guidance so states can prioritize school improvement funding for districts that offer school choice options, approving Iowa's waiver under a new policy returning control over federal dollars back to states and local leaders, releasing further instructions on equitable services for private school students, and encouraging local innovation through Ed-Flex authority guidance.
