Former President Donald Trump has announced potential policies in support of universal school choice and homeschooling if he is re-elected. Trump revealed at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention in Nashville that he would back a policy letting parents to choose the type of school that best fits their children’s needs, be it public, private, charter, or religious.
Besides lending support to America’s homeschool families, Trump is proposing tax-free 529 Education Savings Accounts, accommodating up to $10,000 per child per annum for homeschooling expenses. The former President also vowed to abolish the federal Department of Education and give decision-making powers back to individual states.
In a move against controversial teaching materials, Trump pledged to cut federal funding for any school promoting critical race theory, transgender concerns, or any politically, racially, or sexually inappropriate content. This proposal comes against the backdrop of several states mulling over policies that would affect homeschooling families.
For instance, Michigan’s State Board of Education is discussing a regulation requiring homeschooling students to register with their public school district and allow warrantless home entries. Trump’s policies position him as a defender of families’ rights to choose their preferred form of education, especially at a time when homeschooling is under scrutiny in certain states.