The RESULTS Act of 2026 provides federal funding to help states build and modernize systems that connect data across education and workforce sectors, from early childhood programs to employment outcomes. These grants require states to create secure databases that link records from schools, colleges, and job training programs while protecting student privacy and allowing for data analysis by researchers and policymakers. The bill also mandates that states establish specific leadership roles, such as a Chief Data Officer, and use the funds to improve how they report on student success and labor market trends. Additionally, the legislation updates existing rules to allow states to use national wage records for measuring job placement outcomes and encourages the adoption of standardized data formats to ensure information can be easily shared across different states.
The Supporting Students and Families Act creates a new tax credit to help offset costs for elementary and secondary school supplies. This credit allows taxpayers to claim up to $200 for expenses related to books, supplies, and equipment for dependents attending public, private, or religious schools. The benefit is reduced for individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes exceeding $150,000 and cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by Coverdell education savings accounts. The changes will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
This bill establishes the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act, which creates new funding streams to help U.S. public schools, including those run by the Bureau of Indian Education, become environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change. It directs billions of dollars toward retrofitting existing school buildings to be energy-efficient and zero-carbon, constructing new green schools, and hiring local educators and support staff to improve school environments and community partnerships. The legislation also mandates that a significant portion of funds be used in environmental justice communities to address inequities, while requiring contractors to pay prevailing wages and prioritize hiring from local and historically disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the bill sets up a new office within the Department of Education to coordinate these efforts and ensures that schools can serve as community centers during disasters by upgrading infrastructure for power, water, and internet access.
This Senate resolution formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of Northwest Mississippi Community College and celebrates its century of educational and community service. The document highlights the institution's history, which began in 1915, and notes its current role in serving over 8,000 students across an 11-county district through various academic and workforce programs. It also acknowledges the college's achievements in athletics, infrastructure development, and economic impact on the region. Finally, the resolution requests that copies be sent to the college's leadership to honor this milestone.
The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026 authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide five-year grants to States aimed at improving the training, pay, and credentials of early childhood educators. To receive funding, States must submit detailed plans outlining how they will collaborate with various education and childcare groups to establish professional standards, create career ladders, and offer accessible higher education options for working educators. Grant money can be used to offer scholarships for bachelor's degrees, support educators in obtaining necessary licenses, raise salaries to match those of other professionals, and fund ongoing professional development in areas like child development and cultural competence. The bill requires that these federal funds supplement existing state and local resources rather than replace them, and it mandates that States maintain their current spending levels on these activities.
The Compassionate Care Act aims to improve how patients and their families plan for future medical care by launching a national public education campaign and creating a dedicated website to guide healthcare providers. The bill mandates that medical schools and training programs include specific end-of-life care and advance care planning in their curricula to better prepare future professionals. It also requires the development of new quality measures to track how well healthcare settings handle end-of-life care and extends telehealth rules to allow remote advance care planning consultations. Additionally, the legislation directs federal agencies to study the feasibility of a national advance directive registry and a uniform policy for these legal documents across different states.
The Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act prohibits the use of federal funds to support research or publications regarding gender transition for individuals under the age of 18. This restriction specifically targets studies that aim to affirm a minor's perception or identity when it differs from their sex assigned at birth, as defined by their reproductive biology and genetics. The bill directly affects federal agencies and institutions that might otherwise receive funding to conduct such observational studies on hormonal treatments or surgical procedures for minors. By limiting financial support, the legislation seeks to prevent government resources from being used for research that challenges the biological definition of sex at birth.
The GRACE Act prohibits federal education funding for schools and agencies that mandate vaccinations unless they offer a specific exemption process. Under this bill, institutions must allow parents or guardians to request an exemption based on a sincerely held religious belief without requiring any supporting documentation. The law defines a child as anyone under 18 and applies these rules to elementary and secondary schools as well as local and state educational agencies. By removing the need for proof of religious belief, the measure aims to simplify the process for families seeking to opt out of vaccination requirements for religious reasons.
The READ Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to improve reading instruction by defining specific terms like "science of reading" and "high-impact tutoring" and requiring states to exclude certain teaching models that rely on context clues. The bill directs federal literacy grants to states, with mandatory funding for low-performing states, to implement evidence-based strategies such as universal early literacy screenings, professional development for teachers, and the adoption of high-quality instructional materials. It also mandates that states report data on student progress and teacher training while prohibiting the Department of Education from issuing regulations that dictate specific instructional content or curricula. Additionally, the legislation expands research initiatives to study reading development and requires the federal government to provide states with detailed reports on academic outcomes and achievement gaps.
The PHD Talent Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program to help universities create accelerated doctoral programs in critical fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. These programs aim to train U.S. citizens and permanent residents by shortening the time to earn a doctorate, integrating undergraduate and graduate coursework, and providing funding that covers at least three years of doctoral study. The Department of Energy will award grants to universities that partner with national laboratories and industry to offer these tracks, which also include structured mentorship and research rotations to build dual expertise in a specific science and computational methods. The legislation authorizes $250 million for the program between 2028 and 2032 and requires the Department of Energy to submit annual reports to Congress on the initiative's progress and student outcomes.
