(The Center Square) − The U.S. Department of Education has issued new guidance aimed at expanding how states can use federal education funds to support school choice programs, as the debate over Louisiana’s new voucher system continues to heat up.
In a letter sent this week to all state education chiefs, the Trump administration encouraged states to leverage Title I funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to create more education options for families, particularly those with students enrolled in low-performing schools.
“The Trump Administration is committed to supporting parents in having the ability to select education options that best meet their children’s needs,” the letter reads.
The letter outlines how states and local school districts can direct federal money toward programs such as dual enrollment, academic tutoring, and career and technical education — allowing parents to select the services that best fit their children.
The guidance also clarifies that local school districts can use a portion of their federal Title I funds to cover the costs of transporting students from failing schools to higher-performing public schools within the same district, unless prohibited by state law.
Louisiana’s own Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley welcomed the encouragement.
“Louisiana’s historic education progress is no accident – it’s the result of strategic actions such as expanding school choice,” Brumley said. “This welcomed step by the Trump Administration will place more students in quality schools and further return critical decision-making to the states.”
The announcement comes as Louisiana lawmakers grapple with the rollout of Gov. Jeff Landry’s new school voucher initiative, the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise program.
The Legislature recently approved $43.5 million for the program — less than half of the $93.5 million Landry requested — signaling a more cautious approach to its implementation.
Supporters of the scaled-back funding say the Legislature needs more clarity on how the program will operate, especially after data revealed that of the roughly 40,000 applicants, about 30,000 already attend private schools.
“When you look at the application data, it’s 40,000 applicants — but only about 10,000 are coming from public schools,” said Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro. “The intention was to help families get their kids out of struggling schools, not subsidize private tuition for students already there.”
Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, voiced similar concerns, arguing the program has drifted from its original mission.
“You went from taking a kid from a school that just didn’t work for that child, and moving to a school that does work for the child, to now we’re paying more,” Henry said. “And we’ve created an Amazon for the Department of Education to which students can buy services or items online. We’ve gotten away from the general point of what we’re trying to do.”
Lawmakers ultimately adopted a “wait-and-see” approach, with Henry warning there is no guarantee the state can afford the program long-term if eligibility expands further.
In the meantime, legislators restored $30 million for high-dosage tutoring, preserved teacher stipends, and increased funding for local jails, child welfare services, and the University of New Orleans’ transition into the LSU system.
