White House Touts 'Hard Reset' for American Schools, Puts Parents Back in Charge

President Trump marked the start of the school year Monday with a White House Rose Garden event that his administration is calling a "hard reset" for American education, promising to put parents back in charge of how and where their children learn.

Joined by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, students, parents and educators, Trump used the back-to-school moment to push his school choice agenda and to promise the removal of what he called "far left extremism" from classrooms.

"We're putting the parents back in charge," Trump said. "They're the ones that love our children. They're the ones that should be in charge."

Trump argued that despite the enormous amount the United States spends on education, student outcomes should be stronger, and that families deserve more options when choosing a school.

Putting Parents Back in Charge

"We want every parent to have the power to send their child to a high-quality school that shares their values. It's so important," Trump said from the Rose Garden.

The event doubled as the administration's biggest school choice showcase heading into the new academic year. Several parents joined the president on stage to describe how expanded options would change their families' lives.

Caleb Griffith, a North Carolina father of five whose family includes two children with special needs, said the administration's Education Freedom Tax Credit will give his children "access to the services they need to be successful in the most formative years of their lives."

"I want to tell you, we only get one chance to educate our children, and our children are the future of America," Griffith said.

A Tax Credit Built for Working Families

The centerpiece of the plan is the Education Freedom Tax Credit, which beginning in 2027 will offer taxpayers a credit of up to $1,700 for eligible donations to scholarship-granting organizations.

Those organizations can use the money for education-related expenses including private school tuition, tutoring, school fees and classroom supplies. The funds can also benefit students attending public schools.

The White House said nearly 52 million students could be eligible for the credit, making it one of the largest federal expansions of school choice in American history.

The administration also highlighted changes to 529 education savings plans that let families withdraw up to $20,000 annually for K-12 expenses, doubling the previous limit and giving parents another tool to direct their children's education.

A 'Hard Reset' for American Education

McMahon described the administration's vision as a "hard reset" in American education, with a goal of returning to common sense.

"This school year, American parents and students have so much to be excited about because the Trump administration is steering education back to its rightful focus, serving students so that they are prepared for successful futures," McMahon said.

The push comes as states across the country weigh whether to participate in the federal school choice framework. Supporters argue that giving parents control over education dollars produces better outcomes than one-size-fits-all government schooling, and the credit has drawn backing from governors in both parties.

What to Watch This School Year

The Education Freedom Tax Credit takes effect in 2027, but the administration is expected to keep pressing states to opt into the program ahead of that deadline.

With back-to-school season now underway, the White House is betting that the message of parental choice will resonate with families nationwide. If the rollout matches the administration's ambitions, the coming year could reshape how Americans think about funding education and who controls it.