Trump administration pushes for school choice expansion amid declining test scores

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Trump administration is advocating for a significant overhaul of the Department of Education, citing declining test scores and failing schools as justification. During National School Choice Week, the administration is highlighting efforts to expand school choice, which they argue empowers parents and families to select the best educational options for their children.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon discussed the department’s initiatives to expand school choice during President Trump’s second term.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon discussed the department’s initiatives to expand school choice during President Trump’s second term. “We have started by signing interagency agreements with other agencies, the first one being the Department of Labor,” McMahon said. She explained that these agreements aim to streamline processes and improve efficiency, with the hope that Congress will make these changes permanent.

The department has also allocated $500 million for charter school expansion and introduced the Education Freedom tax credit. This tax credit allows individuals to donate up to $1,700 to scholarship-granting organizations, with donors receiving a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their federal tax bill. The funds are intended to help lower-income families access better educational opportunities.

A recent national survey revealed that 75% of American parents considered a new school in 2025, with 62% likely to do so again this year. McMahon emphasized the importance of returning educational power to the states and parents, stating, “The best education is the one that’s closest to the child.”

The administration’s push for school choice aims to provide diverse educational options, including micro schools, public schools, private schools, religious schools, and homeschooling. McMahon expressed optimism about the potential benefits, saying, “I think we’re going to see children doing much better across the country.”