Get rid of DEI. Yes! There are only two genders, male and female. Amen. Shut down the U.S. Department of Education. Let’s get started. Let’s get the government to support Christian schools and homeschooling. Hmm, is this something we should be advocating for? 

In a Facebook post, CrossPolitic rightfully called attention to the potential dangers of any scheme where the federal government starts to get involved with the financing of private education. The federal government already creates problems by funding local, government schools. Do we really want it to stick its large nose under our tent? We might think, “Well, as long as Trump is in charge, then maybe this will go well.” But we know that Trump is in office for less than four more years. We can’t trade the future for short-term funding. As Pastor Matt Trewhella of Mercy Seat Christian Church in Milwaukee has emphasized,

“With the shekels come the shackles.” 

Now, what kind of funding might be acceptable? The best option would involve tax credits for families to use as they determine and would not involve any direct control of the school or homeschool program. Situations where the funding would go directly to the private school or provider only create an opportunity for control, either directly or indirectly. 

I propose that with the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education, some of what is saved could be given back to the states to encourage them to provide tax credits for private education. Another solution would be to give federal tax credits to families who choose private schooling. This would be a win-win for states and the bottom line of both federal and state governments. 

In President Trump’s Executive Order on educational opportunities, he mentions two pieces of legislation that have not yet been passed by Congress – the School Choice Now Act and the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act. 

These two bills would give incentives to states to support private schools. These pieces of legislation are certainly better than ultimate federal control, but even state control of private schools could cause an issue, especially in bluer states. 

Here is another very positive development for private education that came from President Trump’s first term: Families can save and use up to $10,000 for K-12 from a 529 Education Savings Plan. I am not a tax advisor, but I would encourage readers to learn more about this. This could be a real help to some families now, even as we promote and wait for other opportunities. 

May the Lord give much wisdom to families and administrators of Christian schools. It is good to see the monopoly of government-controlled education breaking, but we must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves when it comes to our kids.