H.R.2275 - Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning Act of 2025; SCHOOL Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2275, also known as the SCHOOL Act of 2025, proposes to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to allow federal funds to follow students to the public school, private school, or home school they attend. This bill aims to provide educational funding directly to eligible children through education savings accounts (ESAs). The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 21, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill would be a shift in how federal education funds are distributed, potentially increasing funding for private and home schools. This could lead to increased school choice for parents and students. However, it may also decrease funding for traditional public schools.
Potential Benefits
- Increased parental choice in education.
- Potential for more tailored education for individual students.
- Could incentivize educational innovation and competition among schools.
- Direct funding to families through education savings accounts.
- May improve educational outcomes for some students.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential decrease in funding for public schools, leading to reduced resources.
- May exacerbate inequalities if not all families have equal access to information and resources to utilize ESAs.
- Could lead to less oversight and accountability for how federal funds are used in private and home schools.
- Potential for misuse of funds allocated through education savings accounts.
- May weaken the public education system.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the U.S. Constitution is complex. While it could be argued that it promotes the general welfare (Preamble) by providing more educational options, concerns arise under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment if funds are used in religious private schools. The Tenth Amendment, reserving powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, could also be relevant, as education is traditionally a state responsibility. However, since the bill only redirects already allocated federal funds, it may not directly infringe on state powers.
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).