Sen. Tim Scott introduces bill to protect student learning during teacher strikes and public health emergencies

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the Kids in Classes Act, legislation to protect students from learning loss when schools close due to public health emergencies or prolonged teacher strikes.

Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT-04) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Education should never be held hostage to politics," said Sen. Scott. "For far too many families, especially in low-income communities, school closures mean lost learning, lost opportunity, and long-term consequences. Empowering parents with real options ensures that when systems fail, students don't. The Kids in Classes Act puts families first and guarantees that education dollars are used for education - even when the school doors are closed. Our focus must remain where it belongs: protecting children's futures and expanding opportunity in every community."

"Education is the greatest gift we can give the rising generation, and after lengthy school closures due to the pandemic and union strikes, our children are falling behind. Every hour lost in the classroom is time students don't get back," said Rep. Owens. "Our students and our teachers need to be in class. The Kids in Classes Act puts parents back in the driver's seat, ensuring that when schools shut down, funding follows the student instead of the system. Every child in America deserves a fighting chance, no matter their circumstances or zip code."

Background

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of parents and families have experienced the devastating impacts of prolonged and unnecessary school closures. Data shows that:

• Children living in the poorest 20 percent of neighborhoods in the United States will experience the most negative and long-lasting effects of school closures.
• One year of school closures will cost ninth graders in the poorest communities a 25 percent decrease in their post educational earning potential, even if that year of closure is followed by three years of normal schooling.

Kids in Classes Act

• The Kids in Classes Act would give families relief and the means to provide their child with a high-quality education in the event that their local public school is shut down due to public health emergencies or collective bargaining actions by a union for more than three days.
• The legislation would allow these children's families to put unused Title I funds toward:
  • Curriculum and curricular materials
  • Books or instructional materials
  • Technological educational materials
  • Online educational materials
  • Tutoring or educational classes outside the home
  • Private school tuition
  • Testing fees
  • Diagnostic tools
  • Educational therapies for students with disabilities

Full text of the Kids in Classes Act can be found here.

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