2026 will be a watershed year for education policy in the United States. It will be the year that, ten years from now and beyond, will be known as the year in which the signature federal education policies of this era took shape.
From the reporting you can tell that I am writing about the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education. I’m not. As the former head of that department – who charged me with its elimination – I am not saying that bureaucratic organizational charts in DC and department names are meaningless. However, these things have little to do with what is going on for most families and students.
Despite the noise and fury surrounding all of this, what is actually the signature policy of our time – the most significant achievement of this administration and Congress – is the newly created federal tax credit grant program. In short, every taxpayer who owes federal taxes in America will have a choice starting in 2027. Either send $1,700 in taxes to the swamp to do what they do with it, or donate $1,700 to a non-profit Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO), which in turn must distribute 90% of that money to students (in families earning no more than 300% of the area median income) so that scholarships can be awarded. fund all kinds of educational programs.
Some have focused on the potential use of these scholarships to provide families with private school choices, and that’s a great thing. However, it’s worth noting that families can access scholarships for a variety of other purposes, from tutoring to supplemental classes to unique educational programs on everything from character development to astronomy to history, and everything in between.
GOP LAWMAKER PROMISES TO GIVE PARENTS MORE POWER AS SCHOOLS ‘BLATANTLY’ VIOLATE STUDENTS’ RIGHTS
Educational freedom will receive a major boost in 2026 with special grants. (iStock)
Every taxpayer in America can take advantage of this option starting January 1, 2027, and after paying $1,700, they will receive a $1,700 credit, making the donation to fund college scholarships a net zero cost to the individual.
There’s a catch. For an SGO to award scholarships in a state, the governor must opt-in. While some governors have had a knee-jerk reaction of “No!” Mark my words, most will reconsider in the coming years. This program is a no-cost way for states to generate hundreds of millions in new educational programming funds for all students. Parents will not tolerate for long that millions of people leave their country to finance additional education activities in other states. That’s not a red state or blue state issue.
The entire program must be built from scratch by 2026. To realize its potential in 2027, it must do so quickly, and in a way that maximizes the ability of both SGOs and innovative educators to participate. Most importantly, in a way that maximizes parents’ ability to be the ultimate decision makers. When in doubt, just ask this basic question: which route gives parents the most power and creates the most options to choose from.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RELEASES OVER $6 BILLION IN FROZEN EDUCATION FUNDS TO THE STATES
That’s why I want to conclude with a number of homework assignments for everyone for 2026:
To the Trump Administration: Act quickly to put the rules in place so everyone involved has time to be ready by January 1, 2027. Minimize both federal interference and states’ ability to impose restrictions on SGOs and, most importantly, on parents.
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For blue state parents and teachers: Contact your governor. Tell them to look at this opportunity again, without the partisan lens. Tell them to “sign up” so that families in your state can also benefit from this influx of millions in educational resources at no cost to the state.
For education innovators, this is your time and opportunity to reach and impact exponentially more students and families. Investigate whether you can set up an SGO. Start building the partnerships and laying the foundation to launch this program with thousands of quality options.
For an SGO to award scholarships in a state, the governor must opt-in. While some governors have had a knee-jerk reaction of “No!” Mark my words, most will reconsider in the coming years.
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For all taxpayers: Make a plan to participate immediately in 2027. Grants can only be awarded by SGOs after they have actually received funds. Employers, work with your employees and payroll systems starting January 2027. It’s easy to exercise this no-cost option to advance educational freedom.
If we are all diligent in completing our 2026 assignments, 2027 will see a wonderful blossoming of educational opportunities and unprecedented freedom across the country.
Christopher Mohrman is the CEO of Resilience Learning.
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