HR 1886, the Affordable College Textbook Act, creates a federal grant program to help colleges develop and adopt free digital textbooks (open educational resources), directly reducing costs for students. It requires colleges to publicly disclose textbook prices and indicate if materials are open textbooks on course schedules, while mandating accessibility standards for digital resources. The bill funds faculty training, quality reviews, and research on open textbook effectiveness, with grants prioritizing projects that maximize student savings and expand adoption across institutions. It aims to lower textbook costs - averaging $1,290 annually per student - by incentivizing the creation of freely accessible, high-quality digital course materials.
HR 2457, the Mining Schools Act of 2025, establishes a competitive grant program to fund education and training programs for the U.S. mining industry. It directs the Secretary of Energy to award up to 10 annual grants to eligible "mining schools" - defined as accredited engineering programs (including Tribal Colleges) or specific geology/engineering departments at public universities in states with significant mining GDP - to recruit students and enhance curriculum. Grants must support education in critical areas like critical mineral extraction, environmental reclamation, rare earth element processing, and reducing reliance on foreign mineral supplies. The program requires geographic diversity in grant selection and mandates an advisory board (with industry and academic members) to review applications and ensure funds are used for specified educational purposes, with no new federal funds authorized.
HR 4020 authorizes the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) to partner with colleges and universities, allowing students in DODEA schools (which serve military-connected children, including those overseas) to take college courses while still in high school. The bill enables dual enrollment programs where students earn both high school and college credits, with the government covering associated costs through financial assistance. Key provisions require formal agreements between DODEA and higher education institutions, ensuring courses align with both high school graduation requirements and college degree pathways. This directly affects DODEA students in 150+ schools globally, providing early college access without requiring prior high school graduation.
This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to create a program partnering with eligible colleges and universities (including those conducting DoD research or senior military colleges) to develop standardized cybersecurity education programs. It mandates collaboration with agencies like NSA, CISA, and NIST to establish curriculum standards, workforce competencies, and community outreach, while designating qualifying institutions based on specific criteria like adherence to national cyber workforce frameworks and regional accreditation. The program must report annually to Congress on its cost-effectiveness and benefits to participants and the Department of Defense, without authorizing new funding. It directly affects academic institutions meeting the defined criteria and aims to strengthen the national cyber workforce through coordinated educational standards.
This bill prohibits federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for any program, activity, literature, or material provided to children under 18 that includes "sexually oriented material," defined as depictions of explicit conduct or content involving gender dysphoria or transgenderism. It exempts standard science courses (like biology and anatomy), religious texts, and specific "classic" works of literature and art listed in designated references (e.g., *Great Books of the Western World* and Smarthistory guides). The law directly affects federally funded K-12 educational programs, restricting how school districts can use federal dollars for curriculum materials. It does not ban teaching about human anatomy, art history, or literature, as those are explicitly excluded from the definition of prohibited material.
HR 3511, the Preparing for the Future Act, establishes a federal grant program to support students pursuing school psychology degrees. It provides up to $8,000 annually (capped at $16,000 total) for tuition and fees at approved institutions, contingent on maintaining academic standards (e.g., GPA equivalent to 3.25 or high test scores) and agreeing to serve as a full-time school psychologist in a "covered school" for four academic years within eight years of graduation. Covered schools are defined as public or nonprofit elementary/secondary schools with fewer than one psychologist per 500 students and in Title I-eligible districts. Failure to complete the service obligation converts the grant into a repayable federal loan with interest.
HR 7183, the Youth Financial Learning Act, provides federal grants to state education agencies to integrate financial literacy education into public elementary and secondary schools. It directly affects schools by funding programs teaching consumer finance, credit, student loans, and financial aid through school-based curriculum, after-school partnerships with community organizations, and teacher training. Key provisions require states to provide 25% matching funds, prioritize high-need schools, ensure geographic diversity in program access, and use funds to supplement - not replace - existing education resources. The grants, available for up to four years, aim to enhance students' practical financial knowledge as part of a well-rounded education.
The Student Empowerment Act (HR 939) expands the use of 529 college savings plans to cover more K-12 education costs. It allows families to use these tax-advantaged savings for tuition, curriculum materials, books, online learning, approved tutoring (by licensed instructors), standardized test fees, dual enrollment, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. Homeschooling expenses are included if they meet state requirements. This change applies to distributions made after the bill's enactment, enabling tax-free savings for a broader range of elementary and secondary education expenses.
HR 2616, the PROTECT Kids Act, requires public elementary and middle schools receiving federal education funding to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school forms, or before assigning them to sex-based accommodations like locker rooms or bathrooms. The bill directly affects minor students in elementary school or middle grades (ages typically 5-14). Schools must secure this consent as a condition for maintaining federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The law focuses on specific administrative changes to student records and facility assignments, not broader educational content or curriculum.
HR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.
