The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Improvement Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum tax credit available for contributions to scholarship programs from $1,000 to $1,700 per taxpayer. This change directly affects individuals and married couples filing jointly who donate to qualified scholarship organizations, allowing them to claim a larger deduction against their federal taxes. The bill also establishes an automatic annual adjustment mechanism that increases the credit limit based on inflation starting in 2026, with any adjustments rounded to the nearest $50 increment. These provisions are set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
This bill proposes adding a new clause to the U.S. Constitution that mandates the federal government, states, Indian Tribes, and territories to work together to guarantee high-quality education for every person in the country. The amendment would give Congress the authority to pass laws necessary to enforce and carry out this educational requirement. If approved by three-fourths of the states, it would create a permanent constitutional obligation for all levels of government to ensure access to quality schooling.
The Advanced Coursework Equity Act establishes a federal grant program designed to increase access to advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses for students in under-resourced schools and historically underrepresented groups. To achieve this, the bill requires recipients to adopt either open enrollment, which allows any student to join without barriers, or universal screening, which uses objective assessments to identify qualified students rather than relying solely on subjective teacher recommendations. Funding is distributed to state and local education agencies to cover costs such as training educators on equity strategies, expanding course capacity, and providing tutoring, with a specific focus on closing achievement gaps in STEM fields. The program includes strict reporting requirements and offers bonus payments to districts that demonstrate the most significant progress in enrolling diverse students in advanced coursework over the three-year grant period.
This resolution congratulates students, families, educators, and leaders of public charter schools across the United States for their contributions to education and support of National Charter Schools Week in May 2026. It recognizes the growth of the charter school sector, noting that approximately 8,000 such schools serve over 3.7 million children and operate under specific accountability measures similar to traditional public schools. The Senate formally supports the ideals of the annual celebration and encourages communities to hold events to demonstrate backing for these institutions.
The Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026 expands federal support for young people who have experienced foster care by lowering the age eligibility for education and training vouchers from 16 to 14 years old. The bill increases the maximum voucher amount from $5,000 to $12,000 and extends the total time a youth can use these funds to six years, including time spent on remedial education. It also broadens the types of programs that can be funded to include registered apprenticeships, short-term training, and general equivalency degrees, while requiring states to simplify the application process and help youth overcome transportation barriers.
The FLEX Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to increase federal funding and flexibility for high-quality charter schools. It requires that at least 15 percent of Title IV funds go to charter schools, raising the previous requirement of 12.5 percent, and expands allowable uses of these funds to include new academic programs, personalized learning, and facility improvements. The bill also introduces advance payment options for grant recipients to help with planning and program design, while allowing states to use existing charter authorization applications to streamline the grant process. Additionally, the legislation directs the Secretary of Education to consult with charter school operators before issuing new rules and limits the number of non-essential regulations imposed on these schools.
The CHARTER Act aims to ensure that public funds for charter schools are not used to generate profits for for-profit companies. It directly affects charter schools receiving federal money by prohibiting them from contracting with for-profit entities to run, manage, or oversee their daily operations. While the bill allows schools to hire for-profit vendors for specific services like food, supplies, and transportation, it strictly bans contracts where a for-profit company controls the school or takes a cut of its revenue. These rules will only apply to new or renewed contracts made after the law is passed, with full enforcement beginning three years later.
This resolution formally recognizes National Charter Schools Week, which will be observed from May 10 through May 16, 2026. It highlights the role of public charter schools as tuition-free public education options that offer families diverse and innovative choices for their children. The document acknowledges the growth of these schools and their stated goals of promoting academic excellence, accountability, and community responsiveness. By passing this measure, the House of Representatives expresses support for the charter school sector and encourages communities to hold events celebrating these institutions during the designated week.
The "Kids in Classes Act" amends federal education law by requiring local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish a direct payment plan for parents to be eligible for Title I funds. This plan is triggered if a Title I-funded public school fails to provide in-person instruction for more than three days in a school year due to a public health emergency or collective bargaining. Parents of students attending the affected school would receive daily payments, calculated based on the school's Title I funding per student, for use on "qualified educational expenses" such as curriculum materials, tutoring, or private school tuition. Parents are required to submit receipts for these expenses or return any unused funds to the LEA.
This bill, titled the Kids in Classes Act, allows local school districts to use Title I federal education funds directly to parents if a school fails to provide in-person instruction for more than three days due to public health emergencies or collective bargaining disputes. Under the new provisions, parents would receive direct payments equal to the per-student funding amount for each day the school remains closed, which they can use for educational expenses such as tutoring, online learning materials, private school tuition, or educational therapies for students with disabilities. The bill requires school districts to establish a payment plan and verify that funds are spent on qualified educational expenses through receipts or by requiring returns of unused amounts within 30 days of the school reopening.
