The Expanding Medical Education Act provides federal grants to establish or expand medical and osteopathic medicine schools in underserved areas, directly benefiting institutions in medically underserved communities or health professional shortage areas. It prioritizes new schools in regions without existing medical schools, especially minority-serving institutions, and requires grantees to recruit students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, rural/underserved areas, low-income backgrounds, and first-generation college students. Funds can also support curriculum development for underserved care, infrastructure improvements, faculty hiring, and accreditation efforts. The bill mandates annual reports from grantees and detailed five-year evaluations to Congress on student demographics, workforce impacts, and healthcare access outcomes.
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.
HR 4539, the Texture Positive Act of 2025, provides federal grants to states to fund subgrants for eligible entities (like minority- or women-owned businesses with 5+ years of experience) to integrate textured hair care training into cosmetology school curricula. The bill requires these entities to teach students specific techniques for shampooing, deep conditioning, braiding, twisting, and styling naturally coiled, curly, or wavy hair. It directly affects cosmetology schools, their students, and approved training providers by mandating this specialized education as part of their curriculum. The law includes reporting requirements to track how funds are used and the number of students and instructors trained.
This bill amends federal education law to require K-12 schools to include Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in American history and civics education. It directs the Department of Education to update curriculum standards, teacher training programs, and national assessments to ensure AANHPI contributions and experiences are integrated into existing history lessons. The policy affects all public schools receiving federal education funding by mandating specific inclusion of AANHPI history alongside traditional American history content. This change aims to address historical gaps in curricula that have excluded these communities' diverse roles and experiences.
HR 817, the Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025, creates a new tax credit allowing individuals to claim up to 10% of their adjusted gross income (capped at $5,000) for charitable contributions to scholarship granting organizations. These organizations provide education scholarships to eligible students from households with income not exceeding 300% of the area median gross income, covering qualified expenses like tuition, curriculum materials, and educational therapies. The bill establishes strict requirements for scholarship organizations, including verifying household income, conducting annual audits, and distributing scholarships to multiple students without government control. It also prohibits government entities from mandating or controlling scholarship organizations or excluding private or religious schools from receiving scholarship funds, while exempting scholarship amounts from taxable income for recipients. The tax credit is limited to $5 billion annually for 2025-2028, allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Mining Schools Act of 2025 creates a Department of Energy grant program to fund mining education at eligible colleges and universities. It directly affects accredited mining engineering programs and specific public university departments in states with significant mining economies, aiming to recruit students and strengthen training in critical mineral extraction, environmental reclamation, and domestic supply chains. Grants - limited to 10 annually - must support curriculum focused on rare earth elements, recycling technologies, reducing environmental impacts, and meeting U.S. energy mineral needs. The program authorizes $10 million yearly for fiscal years 2026-2033, with oversight by a Mining Professional Development Advisory Board.
The ACE Act (HR 750) expands 529 education savings plans to cover K-12 expenses, allowing families to use these accounts for tuition, curriculum materials, books, online learning, approved tutoring, standardized tests, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. It doubles the annual distribution limit from $10,000 to $20,000 for elementary and secondary expenses and increases gift tax exclusions for 529 contributions by up to $20,000 per year. The bill also requires states to implement school choice programs (like vouchers or education savings accounts) to qualify for tax-exempt school bonds, with specific eligibility thresholds for states. This directly affects families using 529 plans for K-12 education, homeschoolers, and states seeking tax-exempt bond funding for schools.
HRES 692 is a non-binding resolution urging all 50 U.S. states to incorporate the events of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks into K-12 school curricula. It directly addresses state education systems, calling for mandatory inclusion of this history in public school lessons to ensure future generations remember the attacks. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but expresses the House's view that this education is essential for honoring victims and first responders. It cites that only 14 states currently require such instruction and emphasizes preserving this historical context for national security awareness.
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to explicitly include accounting education as part of a well-rounded K-12 curriculum. It requires schools to develop and strengthen programs teaching accounting, including increasing access to high-quality accounting courses for students from groups historically underrepresented in accounting careers. The key provision inserts specific language into existing law, directing schools to promote accounting career awareness and expand course availability through grade 12. This directly affects K-12 students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, by making accounting education a recognized component of career-focused learning.
This bill changes how federal education funds are distributed by directing funds to follow eligible low-income students (ages 5-17 from families below poverty level) to their families or schools. It allows states to use these funds for qualified expenses like public school tuition, private school tuition at approved schools, or supplemental programs. The bill explicitly prohibits federal officials from mandating specific curricula, assessments, or standards - such as Common Core - requiring states to maintain control over education content. It also repeals existing federal assessment grants, shifting focus to student-centered funding.
