Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Make Education Great Again Act

Findings

Congress finds the following:(1)Parents, as the primary educators of their children, should have meaningful choices in their children’s education, including public, charter, private, and homeschooling options.(2)Federal overreach in education policy has led to decreased local control and has not demonstrably improved academic outcomes for students.(3)Restoring educational decision-making to parents, States, and local communities will foster accountability, innovation, and better educational results.(4)Policies that respect parental rights and State sovereignty are essential to ensuring that schools effectively serve students.(5)The Federal Government should remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and support policies that allow parents and communities to pursue the best educational opportunities for children.

Authorities of the Secretary of Education

The Secretary of Education may, consistent with applicable law—(1)take steps to ensure that Federal education funds empower parents and local communities rather than Federal bureaucracies;(2)review and rescind, revise, or amend regulations, guidance documents, and policies that limit parental rights or State and local control over education;(3)promote policies that support school choice, including expanding access to education savings accounts, voucher programs, and charter schools;(4)identify and reduce Federal administrative burdens on States, school districts, and educational institutions;(5)collaborate with States and localities to encourage high-quality education practices while respecting State and local decision-making authority;(6)enhance transparency regarding educational content, policies, and funding so that parents and communities can make informed decisions; and(7)ensure that Federal funds are used in a manner that supports student achievement rather than Federal mandates.

Spending limitations and reporting requirements

(a)

Authority To reduce spending

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Education may, as appropriate to carry out this Act, obligate or expend less than the total amounts appropriated for education programs, provided that such reductions do not violate statutory requirements for mandatory funding.(b)

Reporting requirement

Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Education shall submit to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report detailing—(1)the total amount of appropriated funds not obligated or expended during the previous quarter;(2)a description of the programs or activities affected by the reduced spending; and(3)the rationale for the decision to withhold or reduce spending in each case.

Rules of construction

(a)

No Federal mandate on States or local educational agencies

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school’s curriculum, standards, assessments, or policies.(b)

Parental rights

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the rights of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children.(c)

State and local autonomy

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt or limit the authority of States and local educational agencies to determine education policy, except as required by Federal law.(d)

No new spending

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize new spending by the Federal Government beyond existing appropriations.(e)

No effect on homeschooling

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to regulate, restrict, or otherwise affect homeschooling.