Bill > S5458

This bill, known as the Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning (SCHOOL) Act of 2024, establishes a new framework for distributing federal education funding that allows money to follow students regardless of their educational setting. The bill modifies two major education laws - the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - to enable federal funds to be allocated directly to students, whether they attend public schools, private schools, or are homeschooled. For students in public schools, funds would be distributed to local educational agencies based on enrollment, while students in private schools or homeschool settings would receive funds through education savings accounts. The funds can be used for a wide range of educational expenses, including curriculum materials, books, technology, tutoring, extracurricular activities, testing fees, and educational therapies. Importantly, the bill includes provisions ensuring that these funds supplement rather than replace existing educational resources, and explicitly prohibits federal or state control over non-public education providers. The bill covers children aged 5 to 17 and includes special provisions for students with disabilities, aiming to provide more educational flexibility and choice for families while maintaining existing protections like access to school lunch programs.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5458/all-info