February 3rd 2025.
On January 29th, in the year 2025, the infamous Donald Trump once again utilized the executive order as a means to circumvent Congress. This time, his focus was on the topic of school choice, and he went so far as to title it "Ending Racial Indoctrination In K-12 Schooling." The Bay Area Reporter reported that officials in California, who have been staunch advocates for public education, swiftly responded to Trump's order by reminding him that the federal government does not hold the power to dictate what can and cannot be taught in schools.
In 2020, Trump found himself in hot water when he attempted to cut funding for schools. It became apparent that he was not fully aware of the limitations of his power, and perhaps even thought he had the authority to act as a dictator. Although he may now understand the boundaries of his role, he is still willing to push the boundaries and sign this executive order. This is a concerning warning sign of potential destabilization of democracy, as noted by Derek W. Black on January 31st, 2025.
Another source, Pantéa Javidan, JD, PhD, added their perspective on the matter, calling Trump's executive order a victory for the "school choice" movement. This movement has its roots in the desire for racial segregation, stemming from the backlash against the Civil Rights movement's efforts towards school integration.
Liz Sanders, the Director of Communications for the California Department of Education, made a statement to the outlet, stating that Trump's order is in direct violation of federal law. Sanders declared that, "It is against federal law for the White House to dictate what educators can and cannot teach by threatening to defund essential public services for students." She continued to express that school curriculum should not be subject to change based on the current occupant of the White House, which is why federal law already prohibits the government from mandating specific instructional content in schools.
Trump's executive order includes language advocating for the elimination of federal funding for any discriminatory or illegal treatment or indoctrination in schools, specifically targeting gender and equity ideologies. This aligns with the arguments of the predominantly right-wing proponents of school choice, who critics argue will ultimately harm the public education system.
While California stands in opposition to school choice, other states like Texas have taken a different approach. Governor Greg Abbott has implemented a plan to purge his party of those who oppose school choice and has made it a priority for the Texas Legislature to pass. However, not everyone agrees with Abbott's plans, as Bob Popinski, the Senior Director of Policy for Raise Your Hand Texas, has expressed his opposition. Popinski highlighted the need to invest in public schools, as they currently receive significantly less funding than the national average. He also pointed out that implementing a voucher program would divert billions of dollars from the public education system.
According to a 2021 op-ed from Raymond Pierce, the President and CEO of the Southern Education Foundation, the roots of school choice can be traced back to the arguments of segregationists who wanted to disregard the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education. Pierce argues that these programs only serve to promote segregation and go against the principles of universal free public education and the goal of equality and equity.
In conclusion, the executive order signed by Trump in 2025 is a controversial and concerning move, as it has the potential to harm the public education system and promote segregation. It is important for citizens to educate themselves on this issue and advocate for the protection of equal and quality education for all.
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