Returning Education to Our States Act | ChamberLight
Bills · S 1402
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1402Education
Returning Education to Our States Act
INTRO APR 9· LAST ACTION APR 9
READING
23MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill represents a significant shift in the balance of power between the federal government and states regarding education. If it becomes law, the federal government would have a much smaller role in setting national education standards, collecting comprehensive data, or enforcing specific program requirements. Voters should care because this change could lead to greater variations in educational opportunities and outcomes across different states, as each state would have more flexibility to design its own education system using federal dollars.
On one hand, it could allow states to tailor education solutions more closely to local needs, potentially fostering innovation. On the other hand, it could reduce protections for certain student populations if states choose not to prioritize them, and it might diminish the federal government's ability to address nationwide educational disparities or ensure a baseline level of quality and equity. The future of federal student aid programs, research initiatives, and specialized support for vulnerable groups could also be impacted depending on how these responsibilities are handled by the new administering agencies or state governments.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Abolishes the Department of Education and repeals its organizing act one year after the bill becomes law.
This is the central action, eliminating the primary federal agency dedicated to education and decentralizing its functions.
PROVISION 02
Transfers federal civil rights enforcement functions related to education from the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
This moves the responsibility for ensuring compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws in education to another federal department, potentially altering its focus or enforcement methods.
PROVISION 03
Moves specific education programs to other federal departments: Indian education programs to the Department of the Interior and military-connected education programs to the Department of Defense.
This ensures that specialized education programs tied to specific populations continue under relevant federal agencies, maintaining a federal role in these areas.
PROVISION 04
Replaces many existing elementary and secondary education federal grants, including Title I funding for disadvantaged students, with two broad state block grants managed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
This gives states much more flexibility in how they spend federal education money, moving away from specific federal mandates towards state-determined priorities.
PROVISION 05
Maintains the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects student privacy, with oversight transferring to the agencies responsible for the relevant education programs.
This ensures that a core federal law safeguarding student personal information remains in effect despite the departmental changes.
This bill represents a significant shift in the balance of power between the federal government and states regarding education. If it becomes law, the federal government would have a much smaller role in setting national education standards, collecting comprehensive data, or enforcing specific program requirements. Voters should care because this change could lead to greater variations in educational opportunities and outcomes across different states, as each state would have more flexibility to design its own education system using federal dollars.
On one hand, it could allow states to tailor education solutions more closely to local needs, potentially fostering innovation. On the other hand, it could reduce protections for certain student populations if states choose not to prioritize them, and it might diminish the federal government's ability to address nationwide educational disparities or ensure a baseline level of quality and equity. The future of federal student aid programs, research initiatives, and specialized support for vulnerable groups could also be impacted depending on how these responsibilities are handled by the new administering agencies or state governments.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Abolishes the Department of Education and repeals its organizing act one year after the bill becomes law.
This is the central action, eliminating the primary federal agency dedicated to education and decentralizing its functions.
high
Transfers federal civil rights enforcement functions related to education from the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
This moves the responsibility for ensuring compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws in education to another federal department, potentially altering its focus or enforcement methods.
med
Moves specific education programs to other federal departments: Indian education programs to the Department of the Interior and military-connected education programs to the Department of Defense.
This ensures that specialized education programs tied to specific populations continue under relevant federal agencies, maintaining a federal role in these areas.
high
Replaces many existing elementary and secondary education federal grants, including Title I funding for disadvantaged students, with two broad state block grants managed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
This gives states much more flexibility in how they spend federal education money, moving away from specific federal mandates towards state-determined priorities.
med
Maintains the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects student privacy, with oversight transferring to the agencies responsible for the relevant education programs.
This ensures that a core federal law safeguarding student personal information remains in effect despite the departmental changes.
Termination of the Department of Education and repeal of its organizing act.
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act
Repeal of most sections of the General Education Provisions Act.
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act
Abolishment of the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education and transfer of civil rights enforcement responsibilities.
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act
Transfer of specific Elementary and Secondary Education Act programs to the Departments of Interior and Defense.
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act
Beginning of the new Elementary and Secondary Education State Block Grant Programs by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Department of Education Organization Act
The federal law that created and defined the structure and responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education.
General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)
A foundational federal law that outlines general rules and requirements for many federal education programs, including student and parental rights.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, giving parents and eligible students certain rights regarding their education information.
Block Grant
A lump sum of money given by the federal government to state or local governments for a broad purpose, with fewer specific federal rules on how it must be spent compared to categorical grants.
Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
A major part of a federal law that provides financial assistance to schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure all children meet state academic standards.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
APR 9, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
APR 9, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
