Advocating for Educational Freedom and School Choice
Focus on the Family was recently contacted by a secular news agency with questions about education freedom and the popularity of homeschooling and private education options over government-run schools. This gave us the opportunity to explain more fully why school choice matters to families and sets students up for success.
Right now, with so many fundamental assumptions about the government’s involvement in education being questioned, this is the perfect time to have conversations with our neighbors and friends about why education freedom is essential to the future of the education movement in the United States.
Here’s how Focus on the Family made the case for school choice and education freedom.
Advantages of School Choice
Focus on the Family believes parents have the God-given, fundamental right to direct their children’s education.
School vouchers give parents more independence to direct their children’s education. We know that children have different personalities and learning styles. Parents know their children and are equipped to make education decisions in their child’s best interest.
Focus on the Family will continue to advocate for parental rights and equip parents to understand their rights. We want parents to feel confident in their ability to advocate for their rights as parents and for their children.
Implications of Families Choosing Homeschool and Private Education Over Government-Run Public Schools
As President Trump’s Executive Order “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families” explains, public schools are failing. Recent reports show that only 30% of eighth graders are proficient in reading and math. This is despite federal, state and local combined government funding of $17,700 per student.
Rather than continuing to subsidize the failing public education monopoly, having more school options means public schools are competing for education dollars, and competition generally leads to better options – in this case, better education options for students and improved student achievement.
The federal government can’t mandate educational freedom – that’s a state issue – but it can offer incentives for states to give families more options, which is what this order does. Increasing educational freedom is good for students, families and our country.
Trump’s Executive Order Prohibiting Indoctrination in the Classroom
Focus on the Family applauds the new Executive Order, “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,” that will end the activist indoctrination in K-12 schools.
We know some public schools have become politically and sexually radicalized. They teach, promote and celebrate values and ideologies that are in direct conflict with the spiritual values of many parents.
It is the duty of schools to teach students how to think and engage in discussions with civility — not to indoctrinate students with radical racial and gender ideology.
Education Freedom is Widely Popular
According to Real Clear Opinion Research, Americans overwhelmingly support school choice in education — by a margin of 71% to 13%.
Americans believe in education freedom because it equalizes education opportunities regardless of family income. Education freedom is about helping students attain the education that’s best for them.
Resource for Parents
Focus on the Family has a free parent resource on education — “Equipping Parents for Back-to-School.” It explains issues like educational freedom, parental rights in education, and religious freedom and free speech in schools. It’s a terrific resource for parents who want to advocate for their children and guide them toward academic success.
Related Articles and Resources:
Department of Education: Schools Embracing DEI Will Lose Funding
Don’t Let the Media Deceive You About Trump’s Order Protecting Female Athletes
Trump Ends Radical Indoctrination, Promotes Education Freedom
Trump Signs Executive Order Protecting Women’s Sports and Spaces
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