On March 11, President Trump announced more layoffs that will reduce the Department of Education to half of its former size. The layoffs are a major step towards eliminating the department altogether, a controversial goal. Proponents of this plan emphasize what they say is the need to invest more in private school vouchers instead of existing public school systems, a position that Republicans in Congress are now advancing. Critics warn that the changes will only further jeopardize U.S. K-12 public education at a time when American students already lag behind other top-performing developed countries.

Watch the above video as Straight Arrow News contributor Star Parker argues on behalf of private school vouchers programs and explains why she believes “education freedom” is the best way forward for American education.

The following is an excerpt from the above video:

A strong majority of American people believe parents should be able to designate tax dollars to send their children to the public, private and/or home school of their choice. Black, white and Hispanic Americans are nearly identical in this view, with a 2023 poll finding 71% support from the American people.

We know that the key to the success of our American economy is freedom and competition. Competition is what produces excellence. And how can it be that in the sphere where excellence is possibly the most important value — more important than anywhere else, the education of our children— we don’t have any freedom, we don’t have any competition.

Ideally, federal education funds should be block-granted to the states with instructions that they need to provide on an equal basis for public school, private school, home school, whatever the parent thinks is best for their child. That would enable President Trump to close the Department of Education and for Congress to enable parents in all 50 states to choose the best educational opportunity for their children.

Educational freedom and equal opportunity for all American children is a moral and national imperative, so Congress and President Trump should seize this chance to make this happen. The time to do it is now.