US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is encouraging Michigan to opt into a federal tax credit scholarship program. She stood with House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, and State Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw, Friday at a charter school in Hamtramck. (Bridge Michigan photo by Isabel Lohman)

HAMTRAMCK — US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urged Michigan to “unleash educational excellence for every child” by participating in a new federal school choice program Friday.

McMahon is calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to opt the state into a program that would give donors tax credits for contributing to scholarship funds for K-12 students, including those attending public schools, religious schools, other private schools and homeschools.

Students could use the money for tuition or other educational expenses. Whitmer has previously said the program is a “high-level talking point” and that she needs more information before making a decision.

“The Education Freedom Tax Credit isn’t some distant idea, it’s a homegrown solution that puts Michigan families in charge,” McMahon said at Hamtramck Academy, a charter school that enrolls about 550 students.

Under the program approved by Congress last year, people can donate to scholarship-granting organizations and receive up to $1,700 in tax credits. There’s no cap on how much scholarship money a student can receive, according to a fact sheet from the federal Treasury and Education Departments. The scholarship organization will determine the amount “based on the mission” of the organization, the fact sheet states.