Transforming Education for the Future Act
Sponsored By: Representative Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Introduced
Summary
A major federal push to expand early learning, school meals, and whole‑child supports. This bill would authorize new funding to create universal, high-quality preschool; make school meals free for participating schools; boost IDEA and K–12 grants; and invest in mental health, community schools, teacher pay, and research.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
37 provisions identified: 30 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.
Higher school meal payments and incentives
If enacted, the bill would set the national average free breakfast payment at $2.80 and the national average free lunch payment at $4.63, with both indexed each July 1 to the CPI for food away from home beginning in 2027. It would add extra payments for schools that certify at least 25% locally sourced meals: $0.30 per free lunch or supper, $0.21 per free breakfast, and $0.08 per free supplement, also CPI‑indexed and rounded annually. The Attorney General would also have to give guidance within one year on reimbursing meals for incarcerated juveniles under child nutrition rules.
Free universal preschool for 3–4 year olds
If enacted, the bill would create a universal, free preschool program for children age 3 or 4 on their local kindergarten entry date. Federal payments would cover 100% of a State's preschool spending in FY2027–FY2029, then phase down to 90% (FY2030), 80% (FY2031), 70% (FY2032), and 60% (FY2033). States must use funds for multi-year local subgrants to eligible providers and meet rules on inclusion and workforce standards. The eligibility rules would start one year after enactment.
Higher minimum teacher pay grants
If enacted, the bill would create four‑year grants to States so qualifying full‑time public school teachers get at least a $60,000 minimum salary for school year 2027–2028. After 2027–2028, the minimum would rise each year by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI‑U). States must use at least 85% of funds for local subgrants and include sustainability plans.
Universal preschool and pay rules
If enacted, the bill would create a universal, free preschool program with money set aside for tribes, territories, migrant families, Head Start pay, and local grants. Head Start staff compensation would get $2.5 billion each year for FY2027–FY2033 and local grants $1.25 billion each year for the same period. States would need approved plans that require 1,020 annual hours, pay parity and a living wage for preschool staff, and lead teachers to earn a bachelor's degree within seven years. States would also be required to give extra payments to preschool providers that serve high shares of low-income children to support health, screenings, and referrals.
Full‑Service Community Schools grants
If enacted, the bill would create a Full‑Service Community Schools grant program funding planning, implementation, and State grants. Implementation awards must give at least $250,000 per eligible school per year and the program is authorized at $500M (FY2027) rising to $1.0B (FY2031). Eligible schools must provide a community school coordinator and at least two integrated services like health care or transportation.
More federal funding for IDEA
If enacted, the bill would raise the authorized federal share for IDEA Part B over time: 15% in FY2027, rising each year to 40% by FY2033 and thereafter. This increases the authorized federal funding available to States and local school systems serving students with disabilities.
More grants for schools and CTE
If enacted, the bill would authorize large annual funding levels for multiple education grant programs for fiscal years 2027–2031. Perkins career and technical programs would be authorized at $4.2 billion per year. Title IV parts A–F would be authorized at new annual levels (for example, Part A $2.0 billion; Part B $1.5 billion; Part F $1.0 billion). The bill also creates competitive school‑based violence prevention grants (authorizing $25 million per year) and authorizes $280 million per year for the Office for Civil Rights. These authorizations raise the federal funding ceiling for many school and CTE activities.
More literacy funding and libraries
If enacted, the bill would authorize large literacy grants: $500 million per year for comprehensive literacy and $100 million per year for innovative literacy for FY2027–FY2031. It would require states getting those grants to screen early literacy, fund evidence‑based interventions, and allocate set shares to birth–K, K–5, and grades 6–12 services. The bill would also require biennial national school library data collection and add rules protecting First Amendment access to library materials.
More Title I money and transparency
If enacted, the bill would authorize $55 billion per year for Title I Part A for FY2027–FY2031 and authorize $1 billion per year for Emergency School Aid for FY2027–FY2031. Local and State report cards would also have to show Title I reserve amounts and how reserves were allocated, and the Education Secretary must publish integration guidance within one year.
New education R&D center and panel
If enacted, the bill would create a National Center for Advanced Development in Education and authorize $500 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 to support education research, testing of new technologies, and dissemination. The Center would have a Commissioner with special hiring authority and an advisory panel that must report research priorities within two years.
Safer schools: restraint and climate rules
If enacted, the bill would strictly limit physical restraint and seclusion in federally assisted programs to imminent danger of serious injury and require certified crisis‑intervention training for staff. States would have to publish annual, detailed restraint reports, submit plans, and could get three‑year grants to reduce restraint and improve school climate. The bill authorizes $40 million per year for FY2027–FY2031 for these activities and requires school climate plans, oversight, and public comment periods.
State funding, data, and school accountability
If enacted, the bill would set explicit annual authorizations for several ESEA parts (for example, Title II Part A at $2.4 billion and Title III at $1.0 billion per year for FY2027–FY2031). States would get a Secretary template survey (due within 180 days) and could use direct certification or survey results to identify children from low‑income backgrounds. The bill would require States to set school exit criteria that show subgroup improvement for at least two consecutive years, review resource allocation every three years, set a 10‑student minimum for subgroup reporting, and bar States from cutting per‑pupil funding for high‑need LEAs more than the statewide average in FY2027–FY2031.
More free school meals and protections
If enacted, schools that participate would have to give free breakfast and free lunch to all enrolled students starting one year after enactment. CACFP sites would also provide free meals and get higher reimbursements one year after enactment. Summer meal rules would use an ESEA economically disadvantaged measure and let the Secretary waive access limits one year after enactment. The bill would require states and Tribes to replace stolen Summer EBT benefits (limited to the lesser of the stolen amount not already replaced or your prior allotment) and submit replacement plans within 60 days. The bill would also ban schools from collecting unpaid meal debt or publicly identifying students with unpaid balances. Some technical allocation and program cuts are included, like replacing the "school lunch factor" formula and repealing the Special Assistance Program, which may shift which States or schools gain funding.
School mental health and opioid response
If enacted, the bill would create and fund several school mental‑health and opioid‑prevention initiatives. It would authorize a $10 million per year awareness initiative (FY2027–FY2029) and $35 million per year in three‑year grants to build resiliency programs for education staff (FY2027–FY2029). It would also authorize competitive school‑based mental health grants (with a required 25% local match) and allow reserving up to 5% of pilot funds for evaluation and technical assistance. The bill would require staff training on preventing synthetic opioid misuse and explicitly allow school health centers to purchase naloxone.
Early Pell and GEAR UP targeting changes
If enacted, the Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Demonstration would use the ESEA 'economically disadvantaged' measure instead of free or reduced‑price lunch to decide eligibility. The bill would also redefine high‑need schools and require GEAR UP projects to serve at least one grade beginning not later than 7th grade in schools where at least 50% of students are economically disadvantaged, with a public housing alternative path. These changes align college access targeting to ESEA poverty measures.
Grants to help paraprofessionals
If enacted, the Secretary would give allotments to States to help recruit and keep paraprofessionals for FY2027–FY2031. States could reserve up to 5% for administration and competitively subgrant funds to pay for training, credentials, bonuses, and wage increases. Priority would go to programs serving more low‑income or rural students.
Teacher recruiting, training, and rights
If enacted, the bill would let the Education Secretary reserve up to 4% of certain funds for a national teacher awareness campaign to recruit and diversify the teacher pipeline. It would expand required professional development topics to include digital/media/AI literacy, bullying prevention, cultural competency, restorative practices, LGBTQ+ student supports, and arts integration. The bill also clarifies that existing collective bargaining rights for school employees remain unchanged.
Education technology ratings and guidance
If enacted, the Department of Education would create a National Education Technology Clearinghouse that evaluates commonly used education technology for privacy, data practices, safety, and effectiveness. The Secretary would also publish best‑practice guidance on buying and contracting ed tech within one year and safety/quality guidance from the Clearinghouse within two years, with updates at least every two years. This would give schools and families public ratings and procurement advice.
Grants to expand full-service schools
If enacted, the bill would create grants to plan, start, and expand full-service community schools. Applicants must already operate a qualifying school or be deemed sufficiently similar. Planning grants must assess at least 50% of students, families, and staff and convene a community leadership team within 180 days. Grantees must report on student outcomes, school climate, staffing, and any cost savings.
New training rules for child care
If enacted, child care programs that get federal CCDBG funds would have to offer training, coaching, or professional development on evidence-based child development strategies. Training must include special instruction for prioritized groups and children with disabilities. The law would also define key program strategies like nutrition, safe digital media use, and arts integration.
Youth opioid prevention and school health
If enacted, the bill would set up an interagency task force within 90 days to prevent opioid misuse by youth and to produce a national prevention strategy. The CDC must add questions about counterfeit and synthetic opioids to youth surveys beginning January 1, 2027, and evaluate overdose reporting. The bill would fund a three‑year pilot (up to 25 partnerships) to prevent synthetic opioid misuse in secondary schools and let school health centers buy naloxone and run opioid prevention programs. HHS and the GAO would also study educator mental health and federal program alignment within two to four years.
More arts and libraries in schools
If enacted, the bill would fund and study arts education and add arts measures to federal data collections. It would let Title II funds support school libraries and arts teacher pathways, make State library agencies eligible for certain literacy subgrants, and require States to describe how they will expand arts education and report arts offerings and staffing. The bill would also let afterschool centers partner with arts organizations and allow State formula uses and technical assistance to strengthen school libraries.
Pilot and training for new assessments
If enacted, the bill would expand an Innovative Assessment Demonstration so up to 20 State education agencies can pilot new assessment systems and lengthen some pilot time limits. It would authorize $100 million per year for the Authority for the enactment year and the next four years, and another $100 million per year for professional development grants for fiscal years 2027–2031. The Secretary must award teacher training grants within 180 days after enactment and ensure assessment rigor matches or exceeds State tests.
Project‑based learning grants
If enacted, the bill would fund competitive, five‑year grants for project‑based learning partnerships. Grants could be up to $2 million each, and grantees must pay teachers for required training outside the workday, keep admin costs low, make programs accessible, and submit data for an independent evaluation.
Testing and assessment reviews
If enacted, the bill would create taskforces to study standardized testing, the time and cost of summative assessments, and ways to expand performance‑based assessments. The Secretary would also have a 180‑day negotiated rulemaking deadline to write implementing regulations for the new part. Reports would be due within two years of appointments.
End DC Opportunity Scholarship program
If enacted, the bill would repeal the District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program, ending that federal scholarship option for eligible families in DC. The repeal would take effect upon enactment. Families who used that federal scholarship could lose that option.
Ban on corporal punishment and restraints
If enacted, programs that receive federal money would be banned from using corporal punishment and many forms of unlawful restraint or seclusion. Schools must notify parents the same day, provide written notice within 24 hours, and meet with parents within five school days after an incident. The bill would create complaint intake rules, allow parents or students to sue, require reporting to protection and advocacy systems for serious injury, and let the Department enforce remedies or withhold funds. The bill also directs national studies and reporting on restraint and Head Start incidents and requires the Department to collect school funding disparity data by race.
Ban on for‑profit charter management
If enacted, charter schools could not enter contracts that let for‑profit entities run core school administration, starting three years after enactment. The rule would still allow contracts for food, payroll, facilities maintenance, transportation, classroom supplies, and other ancillary services. The change could shift how some charter schools are managed and governed.
Higher school improvement cutoff
If enacted, the bill would raise the numerical cutoff used to identify schools for improvement from 7 percent to 10 percent, effective upon enactment. This changes which schools trigger required improvement actions under federal rules.
New literacy grants and reading rules
If enacted, the bill would fund competitive Comprehensive Literacy State Development grants with small reservations for national activities, BIE, and outlying areas and shorten the maximum grant to 4 years. It would ban "three‑cueing" reading methods and require evidence‑based language instruction to support English learners and children with disabilities. At the same time, the bill would restrict the Education Secretary from defining or forcing a single federal "science of reading" standard for states and LEAs.
Repeal of recent tax-law change
If enacted, the bill would repeal Section 70411 of Public Law 119-21 and restore the Internal Revenue Code provisions that section had changed. The repeal would take effect upon enactment. The effect on taxpayers would vary by individual and business.
Higher Summer EBT for Children
If enacted, Summer EBT would increase from $40 to $60 per eligible child. This would take effect one year after enactment. It would apply only in States or Tribal areas that participate. The bill would use the ESEA measure for "economically disadvantaged" to identify eligible children.
Limits and supports for community schools
If enacted, states applying for Full‑Service Community Schools grants would have to assure no more than 5% of grant funds pay for State administration and at least 95% go directly to local schools or services. The Secretary would provide technical assistance and could establish a national TA center and require community school coordinators and leadership teams. The bill also directs certain funds to Promise Neighborhoods and to the Full‑Service Community School program as written.
Arts programs for justice-involved youth
If enacted, States would have to describe how juvenile justice plans coordinate with arts agencies. The bill would also allow arts education as a permissible activity in offender demonstration grants to help reentry and reduce recidivism. These changes expand options for art‑based prevention and reentry services.
Holocaust education national study
If enacted, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum would begin a study within 180 days of enactment on how States and schools teach the Holocaust. The study would look at requirements, standards, training, materials, gaps, and needs and must report to Congress within three years of enactment or 180 days after study completion, whichever is earlier.
Private school and homeschool carve‑outs
If enacted, the bill would make clear that the subtitle does not apply to private schools that receive no federal funds or to homeschools, and that parents who homeschool are not treated as program staff. This clarification would take effect upon enactment.
State data systems grants
If enacted, the bill would fund competitive grants to States to build or improve statewide longitudinal data systems for education and workforce records. Grants would last up to four years, require privacy safeguards, and must link early childhood, K–12, postsecondary, and workforce data where applicable.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
AZ • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
WA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]
OR • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
MN • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]
TX • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2026
Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
GA • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
FL • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov