The Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2026 expands existing federal student loan relief programs to offer full debt cancellation for teachers and early childhood educators who work in high-need schools or specific early childhood programs for five years. Under the bill, eligible educators can receive 100 percent forgiveness of their outstanding loans after completing five years of service, which may be consecutive or nonconsecutive, while also qualifying for monthly loan payments to be made by the government during their employment. The legislation defines "high need schools" as those with at least 30 percent of students from low-income families and includes various early childhood settings, while also extending benefits to parents who borrow PLUS loans for their qualifying children or who are educators themselves. To support implementation, the law requires the Department of Education to publish a list of eligible schools and programs, allows for self-certification in some early childhood roles, and ensures that educators who leave their positions early or are promoted within the same organization do not lose their eligibility for forgiveness.
This bill directs the U.S. Department of Education to encourage colleges and universities to create evidence-based plans for preventing suicide and improving mental health. The Department must coordinate these efforts with the Department of Health and Human Services and align them with existing federal suicide prevention programs. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Education to submit reports to Congress on these initiatives within one year and three years of enactment. Crucially, the legislation explicitly states that it does not create new legal obligations for schools or grant the Department new regulatory authority.
The Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act establishes a pilot program to provide competitive grants to school food authorities for preparing meals using unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients. These grants, which cover costs such as equipment upgrades, staff training, and technology systems, are available for a two-year period and are prioritized for schools serving high numbers of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. To support implementation, the bill requires recipients to collaborate with a designated technical assistance center to create strategic plans and mandates a final report detailing changes in ingredient usage and menu preparation methods. The program is funded with up to $20 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with a portion reserved for administrative and technical assistance expenses.
This bill creates a new funding program to hire more school counselors, psychologists, and social workers at schools with high numbers of low-income students. It provides federal grants to states, which then distribute money to local school districts to help them meet recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per counselor and 500 students per psychologist. To receive these funds, states must contribute matching money and submit detailed plans showing how they will improve student-to-provider ratios in their highest-need schools. The program is designed to address rising mental health issues among youth by increasing access to professional support directly within the school environment.
The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act creates a new funding program to hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers for schools with high numbers of low-income students. These funds are distributed to states, which then award subgrants to local school districts to help them reach recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per counselor, 500 per psychologist, and 250 per social worker. To qualify for the money, states must match the federal grant with their own funds and submit detailed plans showing how they will prioritize high-need schools. The bill also requires regular reporting on how many mental health staff are hired and the current student-to-staff ratios in participating schools.
This bill authorizes federal grants to help states and local school districts create wellness programs specifically designed to support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of school staff, including teachers, administrators, and support personnel. The funding, available for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, would be distributed competitively to states, which must then provide subgrants to local agencies that prioritize schools serving high-need student populations. Recipients are required to develop initiatives addressing stress management, workplace conditions, and job satisfaction while reporting annually on program effectiveness and staff retention rates. Additionally, the legislation updates the authorization period for these funds and adjusts the structure of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to include this new category of support.
The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 mandates that all public schools provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, regardless of income. It establishes specific funding rates for these meals, adjusts payments based on the use of locally sourced food, and eliminates the ability of schools to collect debt for unpaid charges. Additionally, the bill expands free meal access to summer programs, afterschool care, and incarcerated juveniles while updating poverty measurement standards across various federal education and nutrition laws.
This resolution designates the week of April 27 through May 1, 2026, as National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week to honor school counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and other allied health professionals. The bill formally recognizes the vital role these workers play in providing prevention services, mental health support, and early interventions that help students overcome barriers to learning. By commending these individuals and their organizations, the measure encourages policymakers to raise awareness about the importance of these support staff in creating safe and effective school environments.
The Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act of 2026 creates a five-year pilot program to provide grants to school districts that prepare meals using unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients. To receive funding, schools must apply and prioritize those serving low-income students and those committed to self-operation or collective bargaining agreements. The grants cover costs for staff training, kitchen equipment, employee wages, and technology, while recipients must work with a technical assistance center to create implementation plans. Schools receiving the money will report on their progress by tracking the percentage of whole ingredients used and the number of scratch-cooked menu items served. The program is authorized to receive $20 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
The Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026 aims to improve the well-being of teachers and school employees by establishing federal programs and sharing best practices. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create an awareness initiative to reduce stigma around seeking mental health care and to distribute evidence-based strategies for preventing suicide and promoting resiliency. It authorizes $45 million over three years to fund grants for schools and universities to implement new mental health programs, offer peer support, and provide professional training on addressing mental health needs. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to conduct a comprehensive review of these efforts and report findings to Congress within two years.
