S 2036 ("Putting American Students First Act") amends the Higher Education Act to establish new citizenship and residency requirements for participation in Federal TRIO programs. It explicitly defines eligible individuals as U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, certain aliens with intent to become permanent residents, citizens of Freely Associated States, CNMI residents, or lawful residents of Freely Associated States. The bill prohibits waivers of these requirements under specific appropriations laws and performance partnership authorities. This change directly affects individuals seeking TRIO program benefits, including college access and support services.
The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2025 would provide federal grants to support comprehensive sex education and sexual health services for young people aged 10-29. The bill establishes four grant programs: for K-12 schools and youth organizations, for colleges and universities, for educator training, and for sexual health services specifically targeting underserved youth. To qualify for funding, programs must be evidence-informed, medically accurate, inclusive of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed. The bill appropriates $100 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031, with specific funding allocations for each program type. It prohibits funding for programs that withhold health information, promote stereotypes, or fail to address the needs of specific groups like pregnant youth or survivors of violence.
The Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 authorizes $20 billion annually from 2027 to 2031 to improve public school facilities nationwide. The bill provides grants to states to fund school construction, renovation, and modernization projects that focus on safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility, with priority given to schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Funds cannot be used for routine maintenance, athletic facilities, or vehicles, and must meet specific environmental, safety, and energy efficiency standards. The bill also includes specific provisions for repairing school foundations affected by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration, and requires use of American-made materials for construction projects.
HR 3453, the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act, creates new federal grants to help educator-led teams plan and open charter schools. It provides up to $100,000 per team for pre-charter planning, targeting groups led by educators with at least 4.5 years of school-based experience (including after-school programs) and a demonstrated ability to lead. To qualify, teams must submit a community needs assessment and a plan showing how their proposed school will address those needs. The bill reserves 5% of relevant funding for these educator-led grants, adjusting existing ESEA grant formulas to prioritize this new support. This directly affects educators seeking to start charter schools and the communities where those schools would operate.
The EDUCATE Act requires graduate medical schools receiving federal funds to certify they do not compel students or staff to endorse specific viewpoints (such as that America is systemically racist or that individuals bear collective guilt for past actions) as a condition for benefits, opportunities, or employment. It also prohibits schools from discriminating based on race, ethnicity, or national origin in student opportunities and bans diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or diversity statements that require such endorsements. The bill clarifies that teaching about medical needs related to characteristics like race or sex, and collecting demographic data for informational purposes, remain permitted. These requirements apply to all graduate medical schools at institutions of higher education receiving federal financial assistance.
This bill establishes a National Center for Advanced Development in Education within the Institute to advance teaching and learning through research on effective practices, technology, and community-informed approaches. The Center will focus on developing innovative teaching methods, addressing achievement gaps, and promoting research on learning and development across all education levels from early childhood through adult education. It authorizes $500 million annually for 2026-2030 to support research, development, and improved statewide longitudinal data systems that connect educational data from early childhood through workforce outcomes while protecting student privacy. The bill also requires states to enhance their data systems to better track student progress and outcomes, with the goal of improving educational opportunities and closing achievement gaps.
HR 844, the "Black History is American History Act," amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to require that Black history be included in all American history and civics education programs for K-12 students. The bill specifically adds "which shall include Black history" to multiple provisions, ensuring it becomes a standard part of curriculum standards, teacher training, and national assessments like the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This policy change directly affects public school curricula, educators, and students across the U.S. by mandating historically accurate instruction on African American contributions as integral to American history. The bill references the National Museum of African American History and Culture as a resource provider for educators implementing these changes.
The ACE Act expands 529 education savings accounts to cover elementary and secondary school expenses, including homeschooling, tutoring, educational therapies, and materials, for families enrolled in public, private, or religious schools. It increases the annual distribution limit from $10,000 to $20,000 for K-12 expenses and adds a $20,000 annual gift tax exclusion for contributions to these accounts. The bill also requires states with tax-exempt bonds for education to have school choice programs (like vouchers or scholarships) that meet specific eligibility and funding criteria. These provisions directly affect families using 529 plans for K-12 education and states administering education funding. The changes apply to distributions and gifts after 2026, with bond restrictions taking effect upon enactment.
This bill modifies tax rules for public school bonds to make certain financing more accessible. It allows school districts to issue bonds for building, repairing, or acquiring school facilities (with 100% of funds used for these purposes) and treat them as tax-exempt, reverting to the pre-December 2017 tax treatment. The key provision reopens a prior tax rule that had expired, enabling districts to use advance refunding bonds for school construction without triggering tax penalties. It directly affects public school districts seeking to finance physical school infrastructure through bond financing. The change applies to bonds issued after the bill's enactment date.
This bill requires states receiving federal education funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to maintain funding for school resource officer (SRO) programs in public schools at either their prior year's level or a 5-year average. It directly affects State Educational Agencies (SEAs), which must annually certify compliance by reporting their SRO funding amounts and officer counts. If a state fails to meet the funding requirement without a waiver for emergencies like disasters, the federal government will reduce its future education funding proportionally. The bill includes a waiver option for states facing extraordinary financial hardship but does not change SRO program requirements or definitions.