Maine education officials uncertain about impact of Trump orders on diversity, school choice [Video]

Maine education officials say they are monitoring executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at expanding school choice and limiting diversity initiatives, but that it’s not yet clear how the orders might affect schools here.

Trump signed orders Wednesday telling federal officials to look for ways to use grants and federal funds to support families who choose private and faith-based schools and end the use of federal funds for the “radical indoctrination” of students through gender identity and equity initiatives. The anti-indoctrination order calls for schools to “instill a patriotic admiration for our incredible nation” and suggests federal funds could be withheld from schools that support a student’s “social transition,” such as by using a child’s chosen gender pronouns or choice of bathroom.

The plans come amid recent clashes in Maine school districts over parental rights and students’ gender identities, whether certain books and reading materials — particularly books on gender and sexual preference — should be banned from schools, and whether parents should be able to …