The U.S. Department of Education intends to invest $500 million in charter schools, it said on Wednesday.
The department aims to distribute the money among six grants to create new schools, expand existing schools and better develop and disseminate tools and resources for charter schools.
Sydney Altfield, national director of the Orthodox Union’s Teach Coalition, told JNS that it is “encouraging to see this administration continue to take these steps to once again affirm that every child in this country deserves access to the school that best meets their needs.”
In July, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the “big beautiful bill,” which contains a provision providing tax credits to private schools, including Jewish day schools and yeshivas.
“As we look toward the federal scholarship program and other potentially transformative opportunities for Jewish education nationwide, our hope is that they will continue investing in all children’s education, whether they attend public, charter, Jewish, faith-based or otherwise,” Altfield said.
Linda McMahon, the U.S. education secretary, stated that “a one-size-fits-all education system is not working for our students.”
“Charter schools allow for innovative educational models that expand learning opportunities for students,” she stated. “The Trump administration will continue to use every available tool to advocate for meaningful learning, advance school choice and ensure every student is well-positioned to succeed.”
