Celebrate Freedom! It’s national school choice week, a time to celebrate the educational opportunities available to Arizona families. In Arizona, families may choose between district, charter, private, homeschool, and online schools. Open enrollment options enable families to choose among district schools.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump took another monumental step for educational freedom by signing an executive order that attempts to reshape how families across America access school choice.

The “EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES” order directs federal agencies to find new ways to support educational choice programs, help military and low-income families, and improve options for students in the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Schools.

Rankings list Arizona as setting the gold standard for education freedom. The latest EdChoice rankings put Arizona second nationally.

But these aren’t just statistics. They represent real families whose lives are transformed through school choice.

Parents like Sally witnessed firsthand how school choice made individualized learning possible for her children. Her experience shows why one-size-fits-all education doesn’t work for every student.

“The [School Tuition Organization (STO)] scholarships allowed our children to receive a wonderful education in small class sizes, which allowed for individualized learning. When my son struggled in math, the teacher was able to identify his needs immediately and provide extra help, so he was successful.”

Empowerment Scholarship Accounts and Tax-credit scholarships ensure that families of all income levels can access the educational options that best fit their children’s needs.

The success we’re seeing in Arizona inspires similar reforms across the nation. At least 13 states now offer universal eligibility programs, with several more considering expansion. This growing momentum reflects a simple truth: when families have freedom to choose, students thrive.

We must remain committed to defending and expanding educational freedom in Arizona. Both our universal ESA program and STO organizations serve as a model for the nation, demonstrating that we can successfully empower parents while being fiscally responsible. The testimonies of families like Sally’s remind us of what’s truly at stake – not just dollars and cents, but the future of our children and the values that will shape the next generation.

To learn more about educational freedom, visit our Policy Page here.

WHO’s In, WHO’s Out

One of President Trump’s more critical yet overlooked Executive Order is the one to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). Trump signed the order: WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, due to his criticism over the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and what he called “unfairly onerous payments” demanded from the U.S.

However, it’s important to note that WHO has been a leading promoter of radical gender ideology. Last year, WHO announced development of new guidelines promoting “gender-affirming care” and policies supporting “gender-inclusive care.” These guidelines represent exactly the kind of dangerous transgender activism that harms children and families. Rather than focusing on genuine global health challenges, WHO seems determined to push an agenda that undermines parental rights and biological realities. Proponents of radical gender ideology often quote WHO guidelines as justification for opposing measures that protect children.

The executive order pauses the transfer of U.S. government funds to WHO, recalls Americans working with the organization, and begins the process of identifying a replacement for responsibilities currently handled by WHO. It also halts U.S. negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations.

ICYMI

• Read about how Arizona’s Republican Congressmen are standing together to protect newborns through born-alive legislation.
• Read about new research revealing that the decline in Arizona’s public-school enrollment was predictable.
• Read about the White House’s new action to protect children from harmful chemical and surgical transgender procedures.