Trump to Defund Schools Teaching CRT

By Aaron Gifford

President Donald Trump on Jan. 29 signed executive orders on prohibiting ideological “indoctrination” in K–12 schools and promoting universal school choice in every state.

The executive order bars federal funding for schools that adopt critical race theory (CRT) and gender ideology in classroom learning, according to fact sheets provided by the White House.

The secretary of education is expected to publish a strategy for ending the ideological programs in K–12 schools within 90 days.

The U.S. attorney general will work with state attorneys general and local district attorneys to enforce these measures and take legal action against school personnel who advocate gender transition.

The anti-indoctrination order also reinstates the 1776 Commission, which was implemented during Trump’s previous term but was removed under an executive order by President Joe Biden.

The 1776 Commission published a scholarly report that called for a national renewal of education centered on teaching the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

It was a direct response to the 1619 Project, which portrayed the United States as an inherently racist nation, stated that the main reason for the American Revolution was to preserve slavery, and laid the foundation for CRT in public schools.

A fact sheet that preceded Trump’s signing of the orders provided examples of situations in Pennsylvania and Virginia in which teachers are required to always use a student’s preferred name and pronouns even if that differs from how the child is identified by his or her parents.

It also noted an example of CRT in Virginia in which students were taught that their achievements were based on race rather than individual merit.

This contradicted the teachings of two parents in that school district, for example, who immigrated from Panama and opened small businesses.

Under the universal school choice executive order, “Defending Parental Rights and Educational Opportunity,” states will get federal money for K–12 scholarship programs that cover tuition for private schools or public schools that students elect to attend outside of their assigned neighborhood schools, including those on Indian reservations who would prefer to attend school elsewhere.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been directed to administer block grants for these educational alternatives.

“Every child deserves the best education available, regardless of their zip code,” Trump said in a statement. “However, for generations, our government-assigned education system has failed millions of parents, students, and teachers.

“This Executive Order begins to rectify that wrong by opening up opportunities for students to attend the school that best fits their needs.”

Trump’s fact sheet also summarized the National Assessment of Educational Progress 2024 Nation’s Report Card, which was released on Jan. 29.

The fact sheet noted that 70 percent of eighth graders were not proficient in reading and that 72 percent were not proficient in math.

The fact sheet noted that 40 percent of fourth graders were not even at the basic reading level.

It also said standardized test scores have been flat for 30 years despite “hundreds of billions of dollars spent on government-run education.”

Thirty-three states already have some school choice programs, including a dozen that are considered universal or “near universal.”

Trump is also calling for $1.5 billion to develop new public charter schools, increasing to 7,500 the number of buildings that would serve more than 3 million students.

In addition, he proposes a 529 education savings plan whereby parents can withdraw up to $10,000 (tax-free) annually for public, private, or religious K–12 education costs.

“Parents can be confident that under his administration, President Trump will provide every opportunity for parents to enrich their children’s education through individual choice,” the statement said.

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