Education

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 9, 2025

S 2738: ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act

This bill expands eligibility for family and medical leave under the FMLA for paraprofessionals and education support staff (ESP) in schools. It lowers the required work hours for eligibility from 1,250 hours per year to 60% of the expected monthly hours for their specific role (based on the previous school year’s schedule). Employers must document each employee’s expected monthly hours in a file for the Secretary’s review. The law specifically covers school staff providing services like clerical work, food services, custodial duties, or student health support, aligning with existing definitions from education law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands family leave eligibility for school support staff, strengthening educator benefits and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands FMLA eligibility for school staff by lowering hour requirements, advancing worker benefits and access to family leave.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 9, 2025

S 3406: PATHS to Tutor Act of 2025

The PATHS to Tutor Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund high-quality tutoring in high-need schools, directly affecting students in schools with high teacher turnover or many novice teachers. It requires local consortia (combining schools, universities, and community partners) to apply for competitive grants, mandating tutoring that uses a 1:4 tutor-to-student ratio, aligns with school curriculum, includes tutor training, and avoids replacing teachers. Grant funds must cover tutor stipends, materials, transportation, and meals for students (with 85% allocated directly to student support), while prohibiting the use of funds to supplant existing teaching staff. Priority is given to consortia using tutors from educator preparation programs or minority-serving institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes federal grants for tutoring in high-need schools with curriculum-aligned programs, directly funding educational support without replacing teachers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 2791: SEED Act

The SEED Act expands tax deductions for educators by including early childhood educators (such as preschool teachers) in the existing educator expense deduction. It modifies Section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code to replace "elementary and secondary" with "early childhood, elementary, and secondary" in the deduction's description and to explicitly add "early childhood" educators to the eligibility criteria. This change allows early childhood educators to deduct work-related expenses like classroom supplies on their federal tax returns, similar to K-12 teachers. The updated provisions apply to expenses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deductions for educators (including early childhood teachers), providing tax relief per IRS code modification. Directly advances tax policy benefiting middle-income educators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax deductions for educators including early childhood teachers, directly supporting educators by reducing work-related expense burdens.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tax deductions for early childhood educators, providing financial benefits that support workers' economic well-being and professional compensation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 3, 2025

S 2700: DECIDE Act

S 2700, the DECIDE Act, requires the U.S. Department of Education to expand the College Scorecard with specific, annual data to improve transparency for student loan borrowers. It mandates program-level details like median 10-year earnings for graduates, median debt amounts (including Stafford, Graduate PLUS, and Parent PLUS loans), default rates, and repayment rates for each certificate, degree, and professional program. Institution-level data will include cohort default rates, repayment rates, and specific PLUS loan default/repayment metrics. This directly affects prospective and current students making education decisions by providing concrete financial outcomes data for comparison. The law aims to give borrowers clear, standardized information about long-term costs and outcomes tied to specific academic programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands transparency in college data for borrowers, enhancing educational access and informed decision-making through detailed program/earnings metrics.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 19, 2025

S 2921: A bill to amend section 7014 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to advance toward full Federal funding for impact aid, and for other purposes.

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to establish specific annual funding amounts for impact aid programs through 2031. It authorizes $90.3 million for real property acquisition in 2026 (increasing to $150.3 million by 2031), $1.63 billion for basic payments to local schools in 2026 (rising to $2.45 billion by 2031), $60.3 million for children with disabilities in 2026 (growing to $120.3 million by 2031), and $22.9 million for school construction in 2026 (reaching $45.4 million by 2031). These funds directly support school districts affected by federal land ownership or military installations, as defined under impact aid provisions. The bill sets clear, incremental funding targets without changing eligibility rules or program structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes increased annual federal funding for education impact aid programs, including specific dollar amounts rising through 2031. This directly advances government spending on essential public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases federal funding for impact aid programs with specific annual allocations rising through 2031, including real property, basic payments, disability support, and school construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Funding

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1271: To provide additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions, and for other purposes.

HR 1271 increases funding for scholarships at 1890 institutions - historically Black colleges and universities established under the Second Morrill Act - by adding mandatory annual support. It amends existing law to explicitly include bachelor's and graduate programs in scholarship eligibility and requires $15 million annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation starting in fiscal year 2025, to remain available until spent. This funding directly supports students at these institutions by expanding access to financial aid for higher education. The bill updates previous funding language to ensure ongoing support beyond 2023.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $15M annually from Commodity Credit Corp for 1890 institution scholarships, increasing government spending on education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases mandatory annual funding ($15M) for scholarships at 1890 institutions, expanding eligibility to bachelor's/graduate programs, directly advancing educational access and funding for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Jan 24, 2025

HR 728: Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025

HR 728, the Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025, would amend the Head Start Act to broaden eligibility criteria. It adds a new definition of "public assistance" to include benefits from programs like SNAP (food stamps), housing assistance under Section 8, and state-funded food programs with similar income standards. This change directly affects low-income families seeking Head Start enrollment, as children in households receiving these benefits would now qualify under the expanded definition. The bill modifies the Head Start Act’s eligibility rules to count these additional benefits, making it easier for more children to access early childhood education programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands Head Start eligibility to include SNAP/housing assistance, directly increasing educational access for low-income children through broader enrollment criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · United States · House Feb 9, 2026

HRES 1045: Calling on the Secretary of Education to work with stakeholders to immediately eliminate race-based Native logos, mascots, and names from State educational institutions, and calling on State educational institutions and national sports franchises to cease the unsanctioned use of such logos, mascots, and names.

HRES 1045 is a non-binding House resolution urging the Secretary of Education to collaborate with Tribal Nations and schools to eliminate race-based Native logos, mascots, and names from K-12 schools, particularly those receiving federal funds. It specifically targets over 1,900 schools nationwide using such symbols, citing research showing these representations harm Native students' self-esteem and reinforce stereotypes. The resolution also calls on state schools and national sports teams to stop using these symbols without proper authorization. It emphasizes the need to support Native students' academic opportunities by removing harmful imagery, referencing the American Psychological Association’s findings on the negative impacts of stereotypical mascots.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill targets harmful Native mascots/names to improve Native students' self-esteem and reduce stereotypes in schools, aligning with educational protection and inclusive learning environments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 19, 2025

S 3217: Skills Investment Act of 2025

The Skills Investment Act of 2025 renames "Coverdell education savings accounts" to "Coverdell lifelong learning accounts" and expands their use to cover career training and skill development expenses for people aged 16 and older. It allows account funds to be used for training services, career education programs, youth workforce activities, and adult literacy courses, rather than just traditional education. The bill increases the account limit to $10,000 after age 30 (from $2,000), extends the contribution age limit to 70 (from 18), and creates a new 25% tax credit for employers who contribute to these accounts. It also allows beneficiaries aged 18 and older to deduct contributions to these accounts on their tax returns. These changes take effect in 2026, with some provisions applying to contributions made after December 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax-advantaged account uses for career training and increases contribution limits, providing tax benefits for skill development expenses.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by broadening Coverdell account use to career training, adult literacy, and skill development beyond traditional education, increasing funding limits for non-traditional learning.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands access to career training funding for workers aged 16+, supporting workforce development and employment standards through skill-building programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Mar 11, 2025

HRES 218: Recognizing and honoring teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification.

HRES 218 is a resolution recognizing and honoring teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification as of March 2025. It specifically honors approximately 141,464 certified teachers nationwide, acknowledges their contributions to student learning (including research showing improved outcomes for students), and encourages school districts and states to support more teachers in pursuing this certification. The resolution has no legal effect or funding provisions - it is purely a symbolic gesture of appreciation for educators meeting rigorous teaching standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors certified teachers, acknowledges their impact, and encourages district support for certification - aligning with teacher support indicators despite lacking legal/funding provisions.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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