Education (K-12 Education)

This bill, known as the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2026, amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to expand federal funding for arts and music programs in public schools. It requires that schools receiving federal education funds provide sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified educators, including dance, theater, visual arts, and music. The legislation also allows schools designated for targeted assistance to use federal funds to support arts and music programs that address students' academic needs, covering costs for supplies, instruments, and teacher training. These changes directly affect public schools and school districts that receive funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

The NSF AI Education Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to award scholarships and fellowships to undergraduate and graduate students studying artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and related fields. The bill establishes new programs to support AI education at community colleges, vocational schools, and historically underserved institutions, including priority funding for rural, Tribal, and minority-serving institutions. It also authorizes grants for AI research in agriculture and advanced manufacturing, requires the development of guidance for AI use in K-12 education, and mandates the creation of workforce frameworks for AI and other emerging technologies. The legislation includes provisions to restrict funding to institutions with certain civil rights violations and establishes requirements for oversight of public-private partnerships and foreign contributions.

This resolution formally recognizes March 2026 as National Middle-Level Education Month to highlight the importance of schools serving students in grades 5 through 10. It acknowledges the critical role these institutions play in supporting young adolescents during a key period of physical, intellectual, and emotional development. The measure encourages the public to engage with and celebrate middle schools, which are essential for preparing students for college, careers, and citizenship.

HR 1098 reauthorizes the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, which engages students aged 9-15 in creating artwork for conservation-themed duck stamps. The bill increases annual funding for the program from $350,000 to $550,000 (2025-2031) and boosts specific allocations for design competitions ($200,000) and habitat conservation ($350,000). It also updates the definition of "State" to properly include Guam in the program's scope. The changes directly affect participating students, state wildlife agencies, and conservation groups receiving program funds.

The Leveraging Educational Opportunity Networks Act creates a federal grant program to fund workforce training initiatives targeting workers without bachelor’s degrees, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, rural communities, historically disadvantaged groups, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Eligible organizations - such as non-profits, national training groups, and accredited institutions - would receive competitive grants to develop 12-week career programs that partner with employers in high-demand sectors (like healthcare, IT, and manufacturing), ensuring participants earn recognized credentials while receiving living wages and wraparound supports like stipends and job readiness coaching. Programs must prioritize enrollees reading at a 6th-grade level or below, guarantee at least 50% of participants come from underserved communities, and report annually on outcomes like earnings growth, employment rates, and credential attainment. The initiative allocates $30 million annually (2026-2029) to address labor shortages and support economic mobility through targeted, employer-aligned training.

The HELPER Act of 2025 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and teachers, allowing them to purchase homes with no down payment. It defines "first responders" as full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and K-12 teachers employed by government or accredited schools. The program requires applicants to be first-time homebuyers with 4 years of recent employment in their field, complete housing counseling, and intend to remain in their role for at least one year after closing. Mortgages under this program must be used for a primary residence, cover 100% of the home's appraised value, and exclude monthly insurance premiums.

Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025 This bill establishes grants to support mentoring programs for eligible youth (e.g., in-school youth, out-of-school youth, or youth who are failing academically or who meet specified criteria).  Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award competitive grants for certain community-based organizations or partnerships involving community-based organizations to (1) establish, expand, or support mentoring programs; (2) assist eligible youth enrolled in secondary schools in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills; and (3) prepare eligible youth for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. Additionally, Labor must work with the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Department of Education to (1) refer grant recipients to the National Mentoring Resource Center to obtain mentoring resources, and (2) provide grant recipients with information regarding transitional services for eligible youth returning from correctional facilities and transition services for students with disabilities. The bill also requires Labor's Chief Evaluation Office to study and report on mentoring programs.

This bill (HR 790) allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart for service after September 11, 2001, to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits to eligible family members. It specifically permits Purple Heart recipients to transfer up to 36 months of unused benefits to dependents (like children or spouses) who meet existing eligibility criteria. The transfer requires written notification to the VA and Defense Department, and beneficiaries must meet age or educational milestones (e.g., high school completion or age 18) before using the benefits. The bill does not change the 36-month transfer limit or the core rules for benefit usage, but adds Purple Heart recipients to the existing list of veterans eligible to transfer benefits.

HR 1434 authorizes $200 million to $240 million annually (2026-2030) to fund summer youth employment programs for participants under 25, primarily targeting high-unemployment and high-crime communities. It provides competitive grants to states, local governments, or nonprofits to create or expand programs that include subsidized jobs (minimum wage, 4+ weeks), mentoring, career counseling, and post-program support - aimed at improving high school graduation, college enrollment, employment, and reducing crime rates. The bill prioritizes programs serving underserved youth (including rural/suburban areas) and requires grantees to implement specific elements like job training, digital literacy, and employer matching. An Advisory Board oversees grant reviews, evaluates program impact, and maintains a database of outcomes to ensure evidence-based improvements.

Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2025 or the HELPER Act of 2025 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium.