Executive Orders: Education
Last updated May 5, 2025
Below are executive orders related to education that are most likely to impact the professions and those you serve. Some executive orders rescind executive orders from previous Administrations. ASHA will update this information periodically.
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ASHA is providing this information to its members and others for educational purposes only. The information provided on this webpage should not be construed or relied on as legal advice or opinion. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel before making any decisions regarding this information.
Summary: Executive Order 14242 proposes the closure of the Department of Education and the transfer of its authority to states and local communities, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of services. It directs the Secretary of Education to take necessary steps to facilitate this transition and to ensure compliance with federal law and administration policy. In addition, the order calls for the termination of programs or activities receiving federal assistance that promote illegal discrimination under the label of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or similar terms.
Impact: Based on the substance of the EO, it’s unclear what actions Secretary of Education Linda McMahon may take to carry out the order. We anticipate the focus will be on developing a legislative plan to eliminate ED, shifting certain programs and responsibilities to other federal agencies, and reducing funding and resources for others.
Resources: See ASHA Advocacy news What’s Next for the U.S. Department of Education: Potential Impact on School-Based Audiologists and SLPs and take action by urging your members of Congress to protect the Department of Education.
Status: On March 20, 2025, this executive order was announced [PDF] and is in effect.
Summary: Executive Order 14235 directs the Secretary of Education to propose revisions to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program to exclude public service organizations engaged in activities with “substantial illegal purposes” from eligibility, in compliance with federal law and administration policy. Examples of these activities include violations of federal immigration laws, “chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children or the trafficking of children to so-called transgender sanctuary States for purposes of emancipation from their lawful parents,” illegal discrimination, and disorderly conduct such as obstruction of highways.
Impact: Narrowing the list of nonprofit organizations that qualify for PSLF limits the number of placements where audiologists and SLPs can take advantage of this benefit. Due to the high cost of education, these new limitations in some cases may place a barrier to entry, making it harder for ASHA members to pay off their student debt or pursue positions in settings that may not pay as high as other employment settings.
Resources: Take action by telling Congress to keep college affordable and expand qualified expenses under 529 savings plans.
Status: On March 7, 2025, this executive order was published in the Federal Register [PDF] and is in effect.
Summary: Executive Order 14191 promotes educational choice for parents and students by directing the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to seek opportunities to use federal funds to expand K-12 educational choice initiatives; the U.S. Department of Labor and ED to recommend how discretionary grant programs can increase education freedom; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on using block grants to support educational alternatives for low-income families; and the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior to find mechanisms for military-connected and Bureau of Indian Education families to use federal funds for educational options.
Impact: Potential impacts of this executive order could include shifting limited federal funds away from public education settings, which could directly affect the availability of audiology and speech-language pathology services for a wide swath of students. In addition, there could be different levels of civil rights protections for students, including those with disabilities, attending private institutions versus the public school system.
ASHA provides resources related to school choice programs, including their potential impact on school-based audiologists and SLPs.
Status: On February 3, 2025, this executive order was published in the Federal Register [PDF] and is in effect.
Summary: Executive Order 14190 states that consistent with applicable law and within 90 days, “the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall provide an Ending Indoctrination Strategy to the President.” This order generally aligns with the previous goals of the Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government Executive Order 14168. The order states, “‘Discriminatory equity ideology’ means an ideology that treats individuals as members of preferred or disfavored groups, rather than as individuals, and minimizes agency, merit, and capability in favor of immoral generalizations...” Additionally, within 120 days it establishes a 1776 Commission in the Department of Education to support “patriotic education,” among other concepts.
Impact: Potential impact of this executive order could include the removal of DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) concepts and materials in education, prohibitions on gender-affirming care, and limitations on how school personnel work with transgender and gender nonconforming students, even when parents/guardians are supportive. This could have an impact on how school-based audiologists and speech-language pathologists navigate ethical considerations regarding service delivery.
Update (3/7/25): On February 28, the U.S. Department of Education provided additional guidance [PDF] on this subject.
Update (2/27/25): On February 14, the U.S. Department of Education provided updated guidance [PDF] in relation to civil rights enforcement and DEI. This updated guidance stated, "Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may, consistent with applicable law, face potential loss of federal funding." Consider seeking guidance from your administrators on this matter or reach out to your state education agency (SEA) to see if they have any information/guidance on how this updated guidance may impact practices and policies for schools and academic programs.
Status: On February 3, 2025, this executive order was published in the Federal Register [PDF] and is in effect.
