The Bottom Line 10 Big Wins Last Week for K-12 Education Reform
Originally published at Independent Women's ForumLast week was packed with significant victories for K-12 education reform and the protection of parental rights. Here are 10 big wins:
#1: Tennessee Will Enact Universal School Choice
The Tennessee House and Senate passed the Education Freedom Act of 2025. With Gov. Bill Lee’s signature, Tennessee will become the 13th state in the nation to enact universal (or near-universal) school choice.
#2: Federal K-12 Scholarship Bill Introduced
Senators Bill Cassidy and Tim Scott introduced The Educational Choice for Children Act, a federal bill that “would provide $10 billion in annual tax credits for individuals and businesses to fund K-12 scholarships.” If passed, approximately 2 million children in the United States will have access to scholarship funds for private school tuition and fees, and other educational expenses, including homeschooling.
#3: Eliminating Federal Funding for Gender Ideology and CRT
President Trump issued an executive order “eliminating Federal funding or support for illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination in K-12 schools, including based on gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology; and protecting parental rights.”
#4: Prioritizing the Cultivation of Patriotic Citizens
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Trump communicated that “American education should focus on cultivating patriotic citizens who are ready for the workforce.” The Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling executive order issued earlier that week included “Reestablishing the President’s Advisory 1776 Commission and Promoting Patriotic Education.”
#5: Defense of Parental Rights in Education
President Trump took steps to defend parental rights in education. The “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families” executive order makes clear the President’s position: “It is the policy of my Administration to support parents in choosing and directing the upbringing and education of their children.”
#6: Restoration of Title IX
The U.S. Department of Education “will return to enforcing Title IX protections on the basis of biological sex in school and on campuses.” This was a necessary measure as the Biden administration’s rule had redefined the term sex to include “gender identity,” therefore removing protection and equal opportunity for women.
#7: School Choice for Military Families
President Trump issued an executive order requiring the Secretary of Defense to make a plan concerning how military families “may use funds from the Department of Defense to attend schools of their choice…beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.”
#8: Funding Usage Expansion for Education Freedom
President Trump issued an executive order outlining that within 60 days, “the Secretary of Education shall issue guidance regarding how States can use Federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives.” Additionally, the Secretary of Education “shall include education freedom as a priority in discretionary grant programs.”
#9: DEI Removed from the Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education took steps to “eliminate harmful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.” For example, “The agency said staff leading DEI initiatives have been placed on administrative leave, and over 200 web pages with DEI resources that ‘promote or endorse harmful ideological programs’ have been deleted. It also killed over $2.5 million of DEI contracts.”
#10: Undeniable Case for School Choice
The new national test scores released during the 15th annual National School Choice Week make the undeniable case for school choice. With 7 out of 10 schoolchildren unable to read on grade level — and math scores not being much better — our nation is embracing parental choice like never before in history!