NE Florida News

WASHINGTON—To address the aggressive and systematic threats from foreign adversaries, Chairman of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04), introduced H.R. 8649, the Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education (TRACE) Act. This legislation builds on the momentum of the Parents Bill of Rights Act to solidify the rights of parents to know how foreign funding is impacting their child’s classroom and adds a layer of deterrence to keep foreign nations from reaching America’s youth.

Congressman Bean told Fox News in an exclusive statement, “American schools are for education, not espionage. We cannot allow our students—the future of our great nation—to be corrupted by foreign adversaries who are systematically and aggressively attempting to influence our nation’s K-12 schools.”

A new House bill introduced Friday seeks to mandate that parents be informed of any foreign-sourced or funded curricula as a stipulation of their child's school receiving federal support. The subject has grown in significance in recent months as states like Oklahoma have sought to blunt the influence of programs purportedly connected to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) such as "Confucius Classrooms."

In Congress, members of the House Education & Workforce Committee put forward the bill Friday afternoon and expect to move it through the legislative process soon, lawmakers involved told Fox News Digital.

The TRACE Act will require schools to allow parents the opportunity to review any curriculum that has been provided by or purchased with foreign funds. It will also require that schools notify parents of any foreign contracts or financial transactions they partake in.

The legislation is also intended as a complement to the Parents Bill of Rights, legislation crafted by Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) that passed the House in 2023. That legislation would give parents more than a dozen stipulated "rights" that provide more access to and transparency over their child's daily learning.

Friday's bill also stipulated parents be notified of how many school employees, if any, are being compensated by another country or "foreign entity of concern" and whether foreign actors have donated to the institution.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), chairwoman of the House Education Committee, said Friday that the TRACE Act will keep parents better informed. "We know that significant investments from foreign nations are flowing into America’s K-12 schools, possibly impacting decisions regarding personnel or curriculum," Foxx said. "As it stands, school administrators are not required to share where their funding comes from. That’s unacceptable."

Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), chief sponsor of the TRACE Act, reiterated his stance on keeping educational institutions free from espionage influences: "We cannot allow our students—the future of our great nation—to be corrupted by foreign adversaries who are systematically and aggressively attempting to influence our nation’s K-12 schools," Bean said.

In 2023, Oklahoma's top elected education official called for congressional action against foreign influence in schools and pledged proactive measures against untoward interference in children's education.

Oklahoma Superintendent of Education Ryan Walters said at that time it is a national security risk to allow foreign influence in U.S. schools without public or parental knowledge. His comments followed an investigation into a school district utilizing "Confucius Classroom" programs.

On Friday, Walters spoke again on this broader subject and referenced his probe into Tulsa Public Schools at that time which he said has since been resolved.

Tulsa Public Schools stated they had no Confucius classroom programs following an announcement banning such initiatives statewide. However, a report indicated funding for professional development facilitated through a Confucius Classroom Coordination Office at an outside organization based in Texas.

Walters highlighted Oklahoma's leadership role in investigating foreign influence within domestic curricula while noting Florida's subsequent similar directives.

"What we've done here in my agency is not allowed districts to partner with countries antagonistic towards the United States," Walters said.

He emphasized Oklahoma's requirement for parental awareness about who teaches their children and what content is being delivered while warning about potential risks akin to historical indoctrination efforts seen under Mao Zedong’s regime.

An order dated Aug. 29, 2023 demanded superintendents statewide provide lists detailing funds or services received from foreign governments or organizations along with their amounts within two weeks for compliance purposes.

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