President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Wednesday that could revoke federal funding for K-12 schools that teach “radical gender ideology and critical race theory,” according to multiple reports—a directive that could slash funding for tens of thousands of school districts across the country.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing the Laken Riley Act, the first piece of ... [+]
The order on “ending radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling” would block federal aid to schools that teach “gender ideology and critical race theory in the classroom,” according to Politico, which reported the order is among three related to education that Trump is expected to sign on Wednesday.
It would also require the Justice Department to take legal action against teachers and school officials “who sexually exploit minors or practice medicine without a license through ‘social transition’ practices.”
Another order directs agencies to examine ways to expand federal funding for families who choose to send their children to private schools, according to multiple reports.
The third order expected to be signed Wednesday would direct the Justice Department to investigate antisemitism at colleges and universities following a wave of antisemitic attacks that coincided with pro-Palestinian protests on campuses across the country.
The order also promises to cancel student visas for non-citizen college students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests, Reuters reported.
States allocate federal funding for K-12 schools based on the financial needs of each school, with those in low-income communities receiving the highest portion of funds. About 8% to 10% of funding for K-12 schools nationwide comes from the federal government, Chalkbeat reported, noting it’s unclear how the Trump administration would enforce the order since federal law prohibits the federal government from dictating what schools can teach. Eighteen states have implemented restrictions on teachings about critical race theory, racism and sexism, according to Education Week. Teachings about gender ideology and critical race theory—the idea that racial bias is embedded in all aspects of modern society—have become a target for conservatives in recent years, leading to so-called “book bans” in schools and legislative showdowns at the state level.
Trump has signed numerous executive orders to roll back transgender inclusivity. In a speech immediately after being sworn in, Trump said the federal government would implement a policy that there are only two genders, male and female, eliminating a Biden-era program that allowed people to mark their gender as “X” on passport applications. He also reinstituted a ban from his first term on transgender people serving in the military and on Tuesday signed an order that halts federal funding for gender-transition surgeries for people under the age of 19.
Trump Expected To Sign Executive Orders Banning DEI, Transgender Service Members From Military (Forbes)
Trump Signs Executive Order Aimed At Barring Gender Transitions For People Under 19 (Forbes)