The Trump administration is advancing its goal of expanding school choice across the United States by introducing new guidance that allows private school students to access federal Title I-A services. The Department of Education outlined this in a recent ‘Dear Colleague Letter’ aimed at state and local education agencies, providing direction on how to better serve eligible private school students while continuing to support educational equity.
Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), private school students and teachers have been eligible to participate in federal education programs since its passage in 1965. The guidance emphasizes that federal taxpayer dollars should support the best education outcomes for students regardless of where they attend school. While Title I-A funds do not go directly to private schools, they can be used to provide services or support for eligible students through local education agencies (LEAs), ensuring that private school students can benefit from these programs.
These new guidelines are the fourth piece of guidance issued by the Department of Education under the Trump administration to expand education choice options under ESEA. This initiative builds on previous efforts, including guidance encouraging states to use Title I funds to expand school choice and support personalized learning opportunities. The department aims to give parents more control and choice in their children’s education by empowering them to select the best educational options for their children.
As part of the broader strategy to decentralize educational authority to the states, the Department has emphasized a commitment to ensuring every child has access to an excellent education that best fits their unique learning needs. The guidance reflects the administration’s focus on improving how equitable services are provided to students in private schools, allowing them to have access to services and supports that meet their specific educational needs.
The Department of Education’s efforts also extend to addressing safety concerns in schools. Sanon’s previous guidance urged states to adopt stronger definitions of unsafe schools, improve data collection, and expand school choice options, including transfers to safer alternatives. The Trump administration continues to frame these initiatives as part of its larger goal to give parents more meaningful input in their children’s education and ensure access to higher-quality learning opportunities.
The recent Supreme Court ruling that approved the Education Department’s plans to reduce its workforce further supports the administration’s push to hand back educational powers to the states. With the Department’s ‘final mission’ being to decentralize authority, Trump has celebrated these efforts, emphasizing the need to revitalize the education system by returning control to the people.