A charter school founder in Utah is voicing support for the Trump administration's initiative to reduce federal oversight in K-12 education and return authority to the states. Carolyn Sharette, founder and executive director of American Preparatory Academy (APA), told Fox News Digital that decentralizing education would allow for more flexibility in using funds to meet students' specific needs.
"It is very helpful to return the funding to the states that we already get, but with less regulation on those funds so that I can serve our students' needs— precisely what they need— instead of maybe what somebody in Washington thought they needed," Sharette stated.
Sharette founded APA, a public charter school network serving over 5,000 students across eight Utah campuses, in 2003. She emphasized that understanding local student requirements is crucial for their progress.
"We know exactly what our students need here to progress, and so returning the education to the states means we get to use the money in more flexible ways to help our students," Sharette said.
APA's West Valley City campus recently hosted Education Secretary Linda McMahon as the 47th stop on her "Returning Education to the States Tour." This tour aims to highlight the administration's K-12 reform efforts, which include shifting authority to local leaders, investing in proven academic interventions, and expanding school choice.
According to Department of Education officials, despite trillions of dollars in federal spending on K-12 education over decades, national assessment data shows only about three in 10 students perform at proficient levels in math and reading. McMahon has stated that the U.S. education system is due for a "reset."
Sharette also highlighted the importance of school choice, stating, "School choice is really profound, actually. The role we play because we provide a place for parents to choose a different school if they'd like, and it's wonderful that they have that option." She described APA as a classical school that teaches through literature and the science of reading, noting its consistently high reading scores.
The Trump administration's agenda includes phasing out federal education programs and empowering parents and local leaders. The Department of Education has introduced a new waiver process to allow state leaders more flexibility in spending federal funds while reducing administrative burdens. Iowa was the first state to participate in this initiative.