Total Force Family Education Act
Summary
H.R. 5987, the "Total Force Family Education Act," aims to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that dependents of certain members of the reserve components performing active service have equitable access to Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. The bill mandates that if space is available at the military installation where the member is stationed, the dependent will be automatically granted enrollment. If space is unavailable, the dependent will be placed on a waitlist.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to expand access to DoDEA schools for dependents of reserve component members on active duty with a permanent change of station order. This could lead to increased enrollment in DoDEA schools and potential strain on resources at some installations. It also formalizes a process for managing enrollment when capacity is limited.
Potential Benefits
- Provides educational stability for children of reserve component members during active service.
- Ensures equitable access to DoDEA schools for eligible dependents.
- May improve the morale and readiness of reserve component members by alleviating concerns about their children's education during deployments.
- Offers a structured approach to managing enrollment through waitlists when space is limited.
- Potentially enhances the attractiveness of military service for reserve component members.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could strain resources and capacity at DoDEA schools, potentially impacting the quality of education for all students.
- May create administrative burdens related to managing enrollment and waitlists.
- The bill's impact is limited to reserve component members with accompanied permanent change of station orders, potentially excluding others in need.
- Potential for increased costs associated with expanding DoDEA school capacity or staffing.
- The definition of 'sufficient space' is not defined, which could lead to inconsistent application.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's directive to "provide for the common defence" (Preamble) by supporting military families. Congress has the power to raise and support armies (Article I, Section 8), which implicitly includes providing for the education of military dependents to maintain a strong and ready force. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).