Civics Learning Act of 2026

More civics grants for K-12 students

If enacted, this bill would expand the Department of Education's civics grant program. Grants would be allowed to pay for hands-on civic projects; lessons on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, women's suffrage, and the civil rights movement; before-, during-, and after-school and extracurricular programs; service-learning and community service tied to school curriculum; activities that support student participation in school governance; and online or video game learning. The Secretary would be required to give preference to applications that carry out these civics activities and to include students and teachers at high-need schools. The Department would try to spread awards among urban, suburban, and rural areas and to public elementary schools. To the extent practicable based on applications, at least 30 percent of funds would go to elementary programs, at least 30 percent to middle school programs, and no more than 40 percent to high school programs. The bill would also authorize $70 million for fiscal year 2027, in addition to amounts reserved under current law; those funds would be available for awards if Congress provided them.