This bill removes the requirement for states to formally opt in to participate in the federal qualified elementary and secondary education scholarship credit. By eliminating this state-level approval process, the legislation allows the tax benefit to apply more broadly without waiting for individual state action. The change directly affects parents of K-12 students who use these scholarships, as it streamlines access to the associated tax credit.
The MAGNET Act amends the Magnet Schools Assistance Program to expand grant eligibility to state educational agencies and creates a new supplemental diversity grant for school districts seeking to promote racial and socioeconomic integration. These funds support specific initiatives such as implementing inclusive enrollment practices, providing free transportation, improving teacher recruitment, and establishing inter-district partnerships to reduce segregation. The bill requires recipients to submit annual reports on their progress toward diversity and achievement goals, with the federal government retaining the authority to enforce compliance or revoke funding if schools fail to demonstrate tangible improvements.
This House resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 13 through September 19, 2026, as "Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week." It recognizes the role of these coordinators in building partnerships between schools and local communities to improve student outcomes. The bill encourages students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in events that celebrate the work of community school coordinators.
This House resolution designates September 14 through 20, 2026, as Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Week to honor the contributions of secondary school athletic leaders. The bill highlights how these administrators support student development in areas such as physical health, academic performance, and emotional well-being. It specifically commends the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association for its role in training professionals who guide over eight million student athletes across the United States.
The Data Science and Literacy Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Education to support state agencies, local school districts, tribal schools, and higher education institutions in expanding data literacy and statistics education from pre-kindergarten through postsecondary levels. Eligible recipients must use funds for activities such as developing new curricula, providing professional development for teachers, and creating partnerships with industry or community organizations to reduce access gaps for underrepresented students. The bill authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, requiring grantees to submit biannual reports on student outcomes disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and income status. Additionally, the legislation amends existing federal law to require the collection of demographic and background data on secondary school STEM teachers in each state every five years.
The COMPASS Act amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to require schools to include specific information in individualized education programs for students with disabilities. It mandates that these plans must state the projected date when a student will complete their secondary education program. Additionally, the bill requires a statement confirming that the student will receive a certification of completion on that date, regardless of whether they are eligible for a regular high school diploma.
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.
The High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2026 requires all public high schools in the United States to be designated as voter registration agencies under federal law. Schools must conduct at least one voter registration drive each academic year, with a specific goal of registering eligible students who are at least 17 years old and enrolled in American Government or Economics classes. To support these efforts, the Department of Education would establish a grant program that reimburses schools for the reasonable costs associated with running these drives. Additionally, state election officials may provide voting machines to schools upon request for use in student council elections.
This bill prohibits the Department of Education from transferring specific program functions to other federal agencies, focusing on offices that manage special education, postsecondary education, Indian education, and elementary and secondary education. It blocks new interagency agreements for these areas but allows existing contracts in place as of February 1, 2025, to continue or be renewed with similar terms. The legislation also requires the Secretary of Education to submit quarterly cost reports to Congress detailing the financial impact of any new interagency arrangements made after that date. Finally, it restricts the use of certain administrative travel funds for the Secretary until these required cost analyses are provided.
The K-12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026 allows federal education funds to be used for teaching artificial intelligence to students and training educators on how to use it responsibly. By amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the bill permits schools to spend money on AI curricula that focus on safe and effective usage, as well as professional development for teachers and staff. This change directly affects state and local school districts by expanding the list of allowable expenses to include specific instruction on AI tools and the skills needed to teach them. The legislation defines artificial intelligence using the same standard established in the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 to ensure consistency across programs.
