Education

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5312: PROTECT Act

The PROTECT Act directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch a new initiative aimed at reducing e-cigarette and tobacco use among youth and young adults. The bill authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to fund research on product usage patterns, health impacts, and cessation behaviors, as well as the development of guidance for healthcare providers and schools. Additionally, it requires the creation of public education campaigns and continued funding for state and local health departments to improve access to quit services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds CDC initiatives including guidance for schools and public education campaigns to reduce youth tobacco use, directly supporting educational health programs.65% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds CDC initiatives to reduce youth tobacco use, supports research on health impacts, and develops guidance for healthcare providers.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Sep 2, 2026

HR 10220: SIMPLE Act

The SIMPLE Act requires the Department of Education to automatically enroll borrowers who are at least 75 days delinquent on federal student loans into the income-driven repayment plan that offers them the lowest monthly payment. To facilitate this, the bill authorizes the use of IRS tax return data to determine a borrower's income and family size without requiring additional action from the borrower, provided they have approved such disclosure or are applying for loan rehabilitation. The legislation also establishes specific notification procedures at 31 days of delinquency and mandates that borrowers rehabilitating defaulted loans be placed in the most favorable repayment plan after making their ninth required payment. These automatic enrollment provisions take effect on July 1, 2028, while changes allowing borrowers to switch between repayment plans become effective immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationThe bill streamlines federal student loan repayment by auto-enrolling delinquent borrowers into income-driven plans, reducing financial barriers to higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Sep 3, 2026

HR 10277: Access to School Supplies Act of 2026

The Access to School Supplies Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program that provides competitive grants to up to ten local school districts serving high-poverty schools. These funds are intended to help districts purchase books, supplies, and other materials for students and instructional staff at no cost. The legislation authorizes $100 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and requires recipients to submit annual reports detailing how the money was spent and which schools benefited. A small portion of the total funding is reserved for outlying areas and Bureau of Indian Education schools, while the program sunsets on September 30, 2031.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill authorizes $100 million annually in federal grants to fund school supplies for high-poverty districts, directly increasing government spending on public education.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $100M annually to fund school supplies for high-poverty districts, directly advancing educational access and resource availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries School Funding

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in committee · United States · House Jul 27, 2026

HR 9958: Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

The Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026 broadens eligibility for early childhood education services by including recipients of various public assistance programs, such as food stamps and Medicaid, in the definition of qualifying families. The bill authorizes $36 billion annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to support these expanded operations and creates a separate grant program providing $1 billion per year until 2030 for agencies to repair or upgrade aging facilities with safety hazards. Additionally, the legislation establishes a loan forgiveness program that cancels federal student loans for childcare workers who complete three years of full-time service in Head Start or Early Head Start programs. Finally, it authorizes $6.8 billion annually through 2032 to provide salary supplements to Head Start employees, with funding allocated based on local wage gaps and cost-of-living factors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $36 billion annually and creates a separate grant program to fund expanded early childhood education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands Head Start eligibility and allocates $36B annually for early childhood education services and facility upgrades.98% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5195: Green New Deal for Public Schools Act

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates billions for school infrastructure, energy efficiency, and hiring local educators, directly strengthening public schools.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds energy-efficient retrofits and zero-carbon construction for schools, directly advancing renewable energy and efficiency goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds retrofits for energy efficiency and zero-carbon construction in schools, directly advancing environmental sustainability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill directs billions to hire local educators and support staff, expanding employment opportunities and strengthening the workforce.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Environmental Justice

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5053: Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2026

The Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2026 requires accrediting agencies to evaluate colleges and universities based on specific student outcomes, such as loan repayment and post-graduation earnings, while prohibiting the federal government from setting rigid standards for curriculum or faculty. To improve oversight, the bill mandates that agencies conduct immediate, in-depth reviews when an institution faces investigations for fraud or financial misconduct and requires these agencies to publicly report their findings within 30 days. The legislation also introduces new transparency measures, including a standardized online system for displaying accreditation status, stricter rules on conflict of interest for agency staff, and requirements for institutions to have clear plans for transferring credits and supporting students if they close. Additionally, the act allows for differentiated accreditation labels, such as "accredited with risk," and establishes a process to review and potentially fine accrediting agencies that fail to act on known institutional problems.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances accountability and student outcomes in higher education, though it restricts federal curriculum control.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9698: Advanced Coursework Equity Act

The Advanced Coursework Equity Act establishes a federal grant program designed to increase access to advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses for students in under-resourced schools and historically underrepresented groups. To achieve this, the bill requires recipients to adopt either open enrollment, which allows any student to join without barriers, or universal screening, which uses objective assessments to identify qualified students rather than relying solely on subjective teacher recommendations. Funding is distributed to state and local education agencies to cover costs such as training educators on equity strategies, expanding course capacity, and providing tutoring, with a specific focus on closing achievement gaps in STEM fields. The program includes strict reporting requirements and offers bonus payments to districts that demonstrate the most significant progress in enrolling diverse students in advanced coursework over the three-year grant period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a federal grant program to expand access to advanced STEM courses for under-resourced schools and underrepresented groups.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds advanced STEM courses and mandates open enrollment or universal screening to improve digital equity and access for underrepresented groups.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Teachers

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 4859: Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to increase financial aid for college students by doubling the maximum Federal Pell Grant award to $10,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, with amounts rising annually to reach $15,000 by 2031-2032. The bill also changes the funding structure so that Pell Grants become a mandatory program that automatically adjusts for inflation rather than relying on annual congressional appropriations. Additional provisions expand eligibility to include students with negative financial aid indexes, provide special rules for recipients of means-tested benefits, and allow Dreamer students who become citizens or permanent residents to qualify for aid. The legislation further restores the total number of semesters a student can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and modifies how institutions determine satisfactory academic progress to reduce penalties for students struggling with course requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases Pell Grant funding and expands eligibility, directly enhancing higher education access and financial aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4914: Green Ribbon Act of 2026

The Green Ribbon Act of 2026 establishes a new program to recognize schools and non-formal learning institutions that meet specific goals for environmental literacy, emission reductions, and positive impacts on student and staff health. Under this act, the Department of Education will award grants to states and provide $10,000 honoraria to schools that demonstrate high performance in these three areas, while also creating a similar award program for museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions. The legislation creates a new office within the Department of Education to oversee technical assistance and training for sustainable school infrastructure, ensuring that under-resourced schools receive at least 40 percent of grant funding. Additionally, the bill requires the Department to update its award criteria within six months to align with health standards from the EPA and CDC and mandates annual reports on the program's progress and impact.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a grant program and provides funding/honoraria to schools for environmental literacy and health initiatives, directly enhancing educational programs and resources.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes emission reductions and environmental literacy in schools, aligning with clean energy and sustainability goals.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a program to recognize and fund schools for emission reductions and environmental literacy, directly advancing environmental goals.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 4864: PUPIL Act

The PUPIL Act directs the Secretary of Education to commission a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the workforce of paraprofessionals and education support staff in U.S. schools. This study will examine the roles, qualifications, compensation, and effectiveness of these workers, who include clerical, maintenance, and student service employees supporting over 54 million students. The report will also analyze salary data against local cost of living and review different employment models, such as outsourcing, to provide recommendations for improving job stability and educational outcomes. To fund this research, the bill authorizes $2 million in federal appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill commissions a study to improve understanding of support staff roles, qualifications, and compensation, aiming to enhance workforce effectiveness.75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers

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