Bill · H.R. 7918· House(119-HR-7918)
Kids in Classes Act
- Introduced
- 3/12/2026
- Last activity
- 3/12/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Burgess Owens
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Kids in Classes Act" changes how certain Federal education funds are used when schools are closed. If a public school receiving these funds fails to provide in-person instruction for more than 3 days due to collective bargaining or public health emergencies, the money can be paid directly to parents. These payments are meant to cover qualified educational expenses. Local educational agencies must create a plan to handle these payments to remain eligible for funding.
Yes· 3 of 22
Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one?+8
Allows parents to use public funds for private school tuition and tutoring when public schools are unavailable.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Provides direct financial support for educational expenses to families in the poorest neighborhoods.
Would children be better off under this?+6
Ensures students have access to educational materials and tutoring when schools are closed.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Would union members be better off under this?-5
Disincentivizes strikes by redirecting funding to parents during collective bargaining closures.
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?-5
The bill creates financial penalties for schools during collective bargaining actions by redirecting funds to parents.
Does this put more money into public schools?-3
Redirects public school funding away from the institution and to parents during closures.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Direct Financial Support for Education: Parents can receive direct payments for "qualified educational expenses" such as tutoring, private school tuition, books, and educational therapies for students with disabilities if a school fails to provide in-person instruction (Section 3(f)(1)(C) and (f)(3)(A)).
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Support for Disadvantaged Students: The bill identifies that school closures disproportionately harm students in the poorest neighborhoods, students of color, and those with limited English proficiency (Section 2). By providing funds for alternative educational materials and services during closures, it aims to address these learning gaps (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Requirement to Track Spending: Parents who receive direct payments must submit receipts to the local educational agency or return any unused funds within 30 days after the school reopens (Section 3(f)(3)(D)).
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Funding Eligibility Risks: Local educational agencies must establish and agree to a "failure to open direct payment plan" to remain eligible to receive funds under this part of the law (Section 3(f)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Children+6Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Students+6Good For African Americans+5Good For Asian Americans+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Native Americans+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Immigrants+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Rural Residents+3Good For White Americans+3Good For High Income Households+2Good For Union Workers-5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5Improves Disability Rights+4Improves Poverty Reduction+4Improves Childcare Affordability+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves School Choice+8Increases Public School Funding-3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2Improves Union Protections-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights-2
- 3/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.