Description:
H.R. 5 would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) to require public schools to allow parents to review certain materials and to be informed of, and grant consent for, certain activities. In addition, the bill would establish requirements on local education agencies (LEAs) as a condition of receiving federal funds. Spending Subject to Appropriation The bill would amend ESEA to require LEAs that receive funding under title I to ensure that schools either make certain information publicly available on a website or communicate that information to parents. That information would include curricula, budgets, lists of parents’ rights, library and course materials, and parent engagement plans. In addition, H.R. 5 would amend GEPA to require schools that participate in programs administered by the Department of Education seek parental consent for specified activities—such as the use of technology in the classroom, attendance for guest speakers in the classroom, or mental health treatment. The bill also would restrict the use of student information for commercial and financial gain and require LEAs to provide comment periods to solicit feedback from parents on course materials, books available to students, and professional development materials. Finally, the Secretary of Education would be required to report annually to the Congress about investigations and enforcement actions by LEAs and state education agencies as well as enforcement action taken by the Secretary.
