Ending Common Core and Expanding School Choice Act
Summary
The Ending Common Core and Expanding School Choice Act proposes significant changes to how the federal government influences local education. If enacted, the bill would eliminate current federal requirements for academic standards, standardized testing, and accountability systems that states must currently follow to receive funding for disadvantaged students. It would also strictly prohibit federal officials from mandating specific curricula or academic benchmarks, effectively shifting control over educational standards entirely to state and local levels.
Additionally, the bill aims to change how federal education dollars are distributed. Instead of funding being tied to specific school district programs, the money would be allocated to states based on the number of children living in poverty. Local agencies would then have the option to distribute these funds directly to parents on a per-pupil basis. Parents could use these funds to cover qualified expenses at the elementary or secondary schools of their choice, including private schools or other alternative educational settings.