The TUTOR Act creates a federal tax credit for certified K-12 teachers who provide academic tutoring outside school hours. Teachers qualify if they work at a preschool, elementary, or secondary school (meeting state certification), provide at least 150 hours of tutoring in math, reading, writing, or science during non-school time, and meet other defined criteria. The credit starts at $500, with a supplemental amount (capped at $500) based on hours exceeding 150, calculated as a ratio of excess hours to 50. The credit expires after 2032, and the Treasury must annually report on credit claims and tutoring hours to Congress.
This bill amends federal education law to prohibit public schools from teaching concepts related to "gender ideology," as defined by a specific executive order. It directly affects K-12 public schools receiving federal funding by banning instruction on certain gender-related topics. The key provision adds a new restriction to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, explicitly forbidding the teaching of these concepts in classrooms. The bill does not specify which topics are covered, only referencing the executive order's definition. This change applies to all federally funded elementary and secondary schools.
This bill allocates $10 million annually (2026-2030) to fund National Science Foundation programs developing K-12 mathematical and statistical modeling education. It requires research and partnerships to integrate real-world data analysis, computational tools, and problem-based learning into classrooms, with specific focus on students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM. The bill also mandates a National Academies study on implementation barriers and best practices for teaching modeling skills. Funding expires September 30, 2029.
HR 847, the BLOCK Act, replaces 10 specific K-12 education programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act with flexible block grants to states starting in fiscal year 2026. It directly affects all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico by repealing targeted grants for local schools (Title I), English language learners (Title III), student support (Title IV), rural education, and other programs effective October 1, 2025. The bill shifts funding from federally mandated, program-specific grants to general block grants, giving states more discretion in how they allocate funds. This represents a major structural change to federal K-12 education financing, moving away from categorical funding toward broader state flexibility. The law takes effect with the 2026 budget cycle, using 2025 funding levels as the baseline for block grant amounts.
The SOAR Act Improvements Act (HR 5181) amends Washington, D.C.'s scholarship program to extend grant durations from 5 to 10 years without competitive renewal, expand eligibility to schools across the Washington metropolitan region (including parts of Maryland and Virginia), and update funding rules. It allows scholarship funds to cover pre-kindergarten, increases annual academic assistance funding from $2 million to $2.2 million, and requires participating schools to maintain accreditation. The bill also modifies evaluation requirements to include annual reporting on student outcomes like graduation rates and school safety comparisons, with evaluations mandated every seven years starting in 2027. These changes directly affect D.C. scholarship recipients, participating schools, and eligible entities administering the program.
This bill creates federal grants to support STEM education programs for girls and underrepresented minorities in K-12 schools. It directs $250,000 annually per grant to school districts serving high-poverty communities (with at least 40% students eligible for free/reduced lunch) to fund specific activities like after-school STEM programs, teacher training on reducing bias, mentorship, parental engagement, and summer camps. The grants require schools to track student participation and academic progress in STEM through annual evaluations. The program aims to increase opportunities for these students to develop skills and pursue STEM careers, while ensuring funds supplement - rather than replace - existing resources.
The Service Starts At Home Act (S 2782) creates two main programs: (1) grants to states and local governments for paid internships for high school students and college undergraduates in local government roles, and (2) scholarships for students based on volunteer service hours. It directly affects secondary and postsecondary students, local governments, and states by funding internships with educational value and awarding scholarships (ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 annually) to students who complete 100+ volunteer hours. Key mechanisms include competitive grant applications for internship programs, state-level scholarship administration with priority for renewal applicants, and requirements for volunteer work to be unpaid and non-religious. The bill authorizes $50 million annually for internships and $100 million annually for scholarships from fiscal years 2026-2030.
The BEST Act establishes a federal grant program to help states create or improve Seal of Biliteracy programs for K-12 students. It provides $10 million annually (2025-2029) for states to develop programs recognizing students who demonstrate speaking and writing proficiency in both English and a second language, including Native American languages and American Sign Language. States must ensure equitable access for English learners, students with disabilities, and heritage language learners, and provide free testing for low-income students. The program requires states to award permanent seals or documentation on diplomas/transcripts for qualifying students.
This bill (HR 4260) prevents the U.S. Department of Education from making significant changes to how the Impact Aid program is run. It requires the Education Secretary to maintain the program's administration as it existed on January 1, 2025, unless federal law or a court order mandates otherwise. The bill also mandates annual certification to Congress confirming compliance with this requirement. Impact Aid provides funding to school districts near federal properties (like military bases or national parks) that lose tax revenue, so this bill directly affects those districts by preserving current administrative practices. The key mechanism is a freeze on administrative changes plus annual reporting to Congress.
The Pay Teachers Act requires states to ensure public school teachers earn a minimum starting salary of $60,000 that increases with experience, and paraprofessionals and education support staff earn at least $45,000 annually or $30 per hour. The bill provides mandatory federal funding to support these salary increases and requires states to develop implementation plans within 4 years (with possible extensions for states facing financial challenges). It also establishes career ladder programs that allow teachers to earn additional compensation for taking on leadership roles and responsibilities. This legislation directly affects all public school teachers, paraprofessionals, and education support staff nationwide, as well as state and local education agencies responsible for implementing the changes.
