Foreign Funding Disclosure in Schools

Official: Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems Act

IntroducedFebruary 5, 2025

Why This Matters

This bill requires public schools to disclose any foreign funding or contracts over $10,000 to ensure transparency about where their money comes from. It matters because it helps keep track of foreign influence in education.

If you work in a public school, you will need to report foreign funding and contracts more transparently.

Affects: Public school administrators and teachers may be impacted by new reporting requirements.

Summary

Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems Act or the CLASS Act This bill prohibits public elementary and secondary schools, as a condition of receiving federal elementary and secondary education funds, from accepting funds from or entering into a contract with the Chinese government, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or any individual or entity acting on behalf of the Chinese government or the CCP. The bill also requires schools to disclose funding from or contracts with a foreign source to the Department of Education.

What changes is this bill making?

1. Public schools must report foreign funding over $10,000 within 30 days. 2. Schools must disclose the name and country of the foreign source. 3. Schools need to share the amount and conditions of the funds received. 4. Contracts with foreign sources over $10,000 must also be reported. 5. This bill aims to increase transparency in school funding.

Who is affected?

Public school administrators and teachers may be impacted by new reporting requirements.