The U.S. Department of Defense is expanding homeschool support for families in accordance with a Jan. 29 executive order President Donald Trump issued, “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families.”
Federal agencies are rolling out programs and implementing reforms in line with Trump administration policies, including advancing parental rights and school choice options for families nationwide, including for military families.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a department-wide review to be conducted to evaluate how the U.S. military supports homeschool families.
In a memo, he said the DOD “is currently reviewing options to support expanding educational choice for military-connected families, as directed” by the president. “Additional review is necessary to assess homeschooling support available to military-connected families across the world. Homeschooling offers an individualized approach for students and highlights the significant role parents play in the educational process.”
The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will conduct the department-wide review of agency support for homeschooling military-connected families and evaluate and develop best practices, including the feasibility of providing facilities or access to other resources for military homeschool students.
The goal is to “improve the education, well-being, and future success of military-connected students, supporting parents in choosing the best educational options for their children,” he said. “Ensuring that military-connected families receive strong educational support maintains morale and readiness, reinforcing the overall stability and effectiveness of our military communities. This is vital to the Department and the quality of life of our Service members, who deserve no less.”
Trump’s order directs the Secretary of Defense “to review any available mechanisms under which military-connected families may use funds from the Department of Defense to attend schools of their choice, including private, faith-based or public charter schools, and submit a plan to the president describing such mechanisms and the steps that would be necessary to implement them beginning in the 2025-26 school year.”
Ahead of Memorial Day, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the initiative will strengthen military families and enhance readiness.
“The department recognizes the vital role parents play in the education of their children and remains committed to providing military families with the flexibility and support necessary to choose the educational path that best meets their needs,” he said. “Through this effort, the DOD will strengthen support for military-connected students and reinforce the readiness and quality of life of service members and their families.”
The DOD initiative is one of several launched to support military families.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has filed bills to create Education Savings Accounts for the children of active-duty service members; to allow families to save without tax penalties; and to authorize the use of taxpayer funds to invest in savings accounts for U.S. children, The Center Square reported.
Last week, a bipartisan bill was filed to give military families greater notice time with relocation support, including covering education, housing, mental health and disability services. Not soon after, the Pentagon announced a new policy implementing similar reforms, The Center Square reported.
The DOD also reversed a previous administration policy, offering to reinstate service members ousted over a COVID vaccine mandate policy and Cruz filed another bill to ensure protections against any similar future mandates, The Center Square reported.
