Education

H.J.Res. 127 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish parental rights regarding children's upbringing, education, and care as a fundamental right. It would guarantee parents the right to choose private, religious, or home schooling instead of public school, or make reasonable choices within public schools for their children. The amendment would require the government to demonstrate a "highest order" interest to limit these rights, and explicitly prohibits denying these rights based on disability. This proposal, if ratified by 38 states, would amend the U.S. Constitution but is not yet law.

The No Cuts to Public Schools Act (S 810) prevents funding reductions for specific federal education programs by requiring the government to provide additional funds to offset any shortfall compared to 2024 levels. It applies to critical programs like those under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (including Title I, Title III, and other ESEA components). For fiscal years 2025-2027, if a program’s annual budget allocation falls below its 2024 funding level, the bill mandates an equal additional appropriation to restore the full amount. This ensures these programs maintain their 2024 funding levels without changing overall budget authority. The bill directly affects federal budget allocations for these education programs, protecting existing resources from cuts.

This bill would terminate the U.S. Department of Education by October 1, 2026, and transfer its education-related functions to other federal agencies. It would move K-12 education programs to the Office of Education within Health and Human Services, student loans to the Treasury Department, vocational education to the Labor Department, and civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department. The bill also specifies that certain education programs would be terminated after October 1, 2036, and includes provisions to ensure continuity of existing grants, contracts, and legal proceedings during the transition. It directly affects federal education programs, agencies handling education funding, and recipients of education-related grants and services.

S 2702 requires K-12 schools receiving federal funds to obtain parental consent before accommodating students' gender identity expressions that differ from their biological sex. It prohibits schools from hiding such information from parents, encouraging students to conceal gender identity concerns, or facilitating referrals for gender transition procedures without consent. Schools must publicly post compliance policies and provide written policies to families, with violations allowing parents to sue for injunctive relief, attorney fees, and compensation for "harm" from gender transition treatments. The bill directly affects school districts, staff, and families of students under 18, mandating parental involvement in decisions about gender identity accommodations.