Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education

The Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education is a specialized division of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. It focuses on a specific slice of education policy that spans from early learning through high school, allowing the full committee to delegate detailed work on this critical area. The subcommittee prepares legislation and conducts hearings before bills move to the full committee for consideration.

The subcommittee's jurisdiction covers a broad range of education topics. It oversees elementary and secondary education, special education, homeless and migrant education, career and technical education, school safety and drug abuse prevention, school lunch and nutrition programs, teacher professional development, and early care and education programs including Head Start and child care assistance. This wide portfolio reflects the interconnected nature of education policy from preschool through high school graduation.

Chair Kevin Kiley (R-CA) and Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) lead the 16-member subcommittee. Recent hearings have focused on practical policy challenges facing American families. In June 2025, the subcommittee examined child care availability and affordability, bringing together members from both parties around the need for federal support. In January 2026, it held a hearing on employer-led solutions to child care access, exploring how businesses can partner with federal programs to address the nation's child care shortage. These hearings reflect the subcommittee's role in investigating real-world problems and developing legislative responses.