New Federal Guidance Empowers States to Boost Student Options in Struggling Schools
The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) today issued new guidance to states, emphasizing the strategic use of federal funds to expand education choice for students in underperforming schools while simultaneously driving school improvement efforts.
The guidance, disseminated by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), outlines how states can leverage Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) formula funds to empower families and uplift struggling institutions.
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The directive specifically targets schools identified for support and improvement under ESEA, including those designated for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) due to consistently underperforming subgroups, and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI).
Hayley Sanon, Acting Assistant Secretary for OESE, underscored the Trump Department of Education’s commitment to both school turnaround and offering students better educational alternatives.
“Every year that a child spends in school is precious and cannot be wasted,” Sanon stated. “Students deserve a choice that best meets their unique needs while leaders undertake the important work of turning schools around. We hope that every state will lean on the guidance issued today to support school improvement activities and help more students reach their full potential.”
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Under ESEA Section 1003(a), states are typically required to reserve seven percent of their Title I, Part A allocation to fund school improvement activities in identified schools. The new guidance clarifies that these funds can be distributed through a competitive grant process, allowing states to prioritize or incentivize initiatives that both improve schools and provide school choice options for students.
While there is no federal mandate to offer school choice in these underperforming schools, the guidance encourages states to favor districts that commit to both turning around struggling schools and offering students a choice in their education.
This approach aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order on Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families, building upon previous guidance related to direct student services and the unsafe school choice option.
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Some state education leaders have welcomed the new guidance. Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana Superintendent of Education, praised the move, stating, “Louisiana’s historic education progress is no accident – it’s the result of strategic actions such as expanding school choice. This welcomed step by the Trump Administration will place more students in quality schools and further return critical decision-making to the states.”
Similarly, Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, highlighted her state’s existing competitive grant process for federal school improvement funds.
“In Indiana we have implemented a competitive grant process for federal school improvement funds that allows us to take a learner-centered and data-driven approach to school transformation,” said Dr. Jenner. “This includes strategically focusing on what we know moves the needle for students, including an emphasis on literacy, STEM, and rethinking high school. The additional guidance shared today by the U.S. Department of Education further empowers us to double down on investments in the knowledge, skills, and experiences that Hoosier students and parents value most, and ultimately, ensure more Indiana families have access to high-quality educational options for their child.”
Local education agencies (LEAs) and schools, upon receiving notification of their identification status (CSI, TSI, or ATSI), are required to develop and implement a support and improvement plan in partnership with stakeholders, including principals, teachers, and parents. The USDE’s guidance seeks to integrate the power of parental choice into these crucial improvement efforts, offering a dual pathway to better educational outcomes for students in need. Sources
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