New bill aims to expose foreign funds in schools to prevent influence from China.

Parents’ right to know what their children are being taught in schools is a fundamental aspect of the educational process. In recent months, the issue of foreign influence on school curricula has gained significant attention, particularly in states like Oklahoma. Concerns have been raised about programs allegedly connected to the Chinese Communist Party infiltrating American schools, prompting lawmakers to take action.

An exclusive House bill introduced on Friday, known as the TRACE (Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education) Act, aims to address these concerns by mandating that schools inform parents about any foreign-sourced or funded curricula. This requirement will be a condition for schools to receive federal support.

The TRACE Act will not only give parents the opportunity to review any curriculum provided by or purchased with foreign funds but will also require schools to disclose any foreign contracts or financial transactions they engage in. Additionally, parents will be informed about school employees receiving compensation from foreign entities and whether the institution has received donations from foreign actors.

This legislation is intended to complement the Parents Bill of Rights, which gives parents specific rights to access and transparency regarding their child’s education. By providing parents with more information about their child’s school curriculum and funding sources, the TRACE Act seeks to keep parents better informed about their child’s education.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, Chair of the House Education Committee, emphasized the importance of transparency in school funding, stating that parents deserve to know where the school’s funding comes from. Rep. Aaron Bean, the chief sponsor of the TRACE Act, highlighted the need to protect U.S. schools from foreign influence and ensure that parents have control over their children’s education.

Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Education, Ryan Walters, has been at the forefront of efforts to address foreign influence in schools. Walters has called for increased vigilance against foreign-funded programs, such as the “Confucius Classrooms,” which have raised security concerns about undisclosed foreign funding in American schools.

Walters emphasized the need for parents to be aware of who is teaching their children and what they are being taught, to prevent foreign adversaries from influencing and indoctrinating students. By investigating and taking action against schools with foreign ties, Oklahoma has set an example for other states to follow in safeguarding their education systems from external interference.

Legislative measures like the TRACE Act are crucial in protecting the integrity of the American education system and ensuring that parents have the information they need to make informed decisions about their children’s schooling. By promoting transparency and accountability in school funding and curricula, lawmakers are taking a proactive approach to safeguard the educational interests of students and families across the country.