A new House bill introduced seeks to mandate that parents be informed of any foreign-sourced or funded curricula as a stipulation for federal support to schools. The legislation, called the TRACE (Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education) Act, requires schools to allow parents the opportunity to review any curriculum provided by foreign funds and to notify them of any foreign contracts or financial transactions. The bill is designed to work alongside the Parents Bill of Rights, which aims to give parents greater access to and transparency over their child’s education. Rep. Virginia Foxx chairs the House Education Committee and emphasized the importance of keeping parents informed about foreign influence in schools. Rep. Aaron Bean, chief sponsor of the TRACE Act, emphasized that schools should be for education, not espionage, and that parents should have control over their child’s learning environment.
Oklahoma’s top education official, Ryan Walters, has also spoken out about the need to address foreign influence in schools. In 2023, Walters called for congressional action to combat potential national security risks associated with foreign influence in school curricula. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that parents are aware of who is teaching their children and what they are being taught. Walters led an investigation into a school district in Tulsa that had been utilizing the “Confucius Classroom” program, funded by the Chinese Communist Party. This investigation highlighted the need for greater transparency and oversight in schools to protect against foreign interference in education. Walters has since taken steps to prevent districts from partnering with countries deemed antagonistic towards the U.S. by national security groups, ensuring that parents are fully informed about any foreign involvement in their child’s education.
The TRACE Act aims to solidify the rights of parents to know how foreign influence may be impacting their child’s classroom and to prevent foreign nations from influencing American youth. Legislators behind the bill believe that foreign funding can compromise the integrity of educational institutions and have a negative impact on students. Rep. Aaron Bean emphasized the need to protect the future of the nation by guarding against foreign adversaries attempting to influence U.S. schools. By requiring schools to disclose any foreign funding or involvement, the TRACE Act aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the education system. The legislation is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that parents have a say in their children’s educational experience and are protected from foreign interference.
Walters’ efforts in Oklahoma to investigate and address foreign influence in schools have been recognized as a leading example of protecting against potential risks to national security. By prohibiting districts from partnering with countries deemed antagonistic towards the U.S., Walters has taken a proactive approach to safeguarding students’ educational experiences. His directive for schools to disclose any foreign funding received and the steps taken to ensure compliance demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability in education. By raising awareness of the risks associated with foreign influence in schools, Walters is working to protect students from manipulation and indoctrination by external actors.
The partnership between Congress and state officials in addressing foreign influence in schools highlights the importance of safeguarding children’s education from potential external threats. The collaborative efforts to pass legislation like the TRACE Act and the Parents Bill of Rights are aimed at empowering parents with information and control over their child’s learning environment. By requiring schools to disclose any foreign involvement, financial transactions, or contracts, legislators aim to prevent foreign adversaries from influencing U.S. schools. The ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in education are crucial steps in protecting students and ensuring that their educational experiences remain free from external manipulation or interference. By prioritizing the rights of parents to be informed about foreign influence, policymakers are working to strengthen the integrity of the U.S. education system and protect the nation’s youth from malign foreign actors.
