Education Department to Unveil Charter School Grants and Ease Regulations
The agency is set to distribute $33 million in grants that it claims were delayed by the previous administration.
The U.S. Department of Education has announced a relaxation of regulatory requirements for grant applications targeted at charter schools as part of an initiative to expand school choice.
Charter schools receive public funding but are privately managed. These institutions are not required to adhere to state or district regulations and can develop their own curriculum and policies, although they must operate in accordance with a defined set of rules, or “charter.”
The department plans to release updated Notices Inviting Application (NIA) that will feature a “more streamlined application process.”
The revised NIAs will assess applicants for the grant programs based on their alignment with the Trump administration’s pledge to “expand high-quality charter schools, reduce federal micromanagement, eliminate ideological bias, and empower families with increased educational choices,” as per the announcement.
The agency has also indicated it will be “fast-tracking” the distribution of $33 million in grants under the Charter School Program (CSP) that faced delays during the Biden administration.
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The grants aim to enhance “high-quality educational opportunities” and are restricted from allocating funds towards “DEI initiatives or race-based discriminatory practices,” according to the department.
Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for the department’s office of communications and outreach, mentioned that the department is focused on broadening educational options for students while ensuring that federal funds are utilized efficiently.
The order articulates: “Parents desire and deserve the best education for their children. However, far too many children struggle in the government-run K-12 schools they are assigned to.”
The order references the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report, indicating that “70 percent of 8th graders were below proficient in reading, and 72 percent below proficient in math.”
“Despite the billions in federal funding allocated to K-12 education annually, alongside approximately $190 billion from federal pandemic assistance, our education system continues to let students down across the country,” the agency stated.
More than a dozen states have implemented universal K-12 scholarship programs, allowing families to select the educational environments for their children, per the Trump executive order.
“It is my Administration’s policy to assist parents in selecting and guiding the education and upbringing of their children,” the order specifies.
The order urged the Secretary of Education to prioritize “education freedom” in grant considerations.
“Research shows that charter schools are considerably more cost-effective, providing superior test scores for each dollar invested, resulting in a higher ROI [return on investment],” Josh McGee, one of the researchers, shared with The Epoch Times in a previous interview.
“For each year of education, students gain more knowledge and have higher earnings potential by attending charter schools compared to traditional public schools.”
Patricia Tolson contributed to this report.
