The seemingly insidious nature of foreign influence in our educational system is a cause for concern. It can be challenging to detect, as children can be taught anti-American values unbeknownst to their parents. Recognizing this, Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) has taken a stand, introducing a bill to combat this influence by enhancing transparency in foreign funding.
Named the Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education (TRACE) Act, Rep. Bean's bill would require schools to notify parents of how and where foreign funding is affecting their child's educational curriculum.
This bill is a testament to the power of parental involvement in K-12 education. It's a significant step forward, building upon the Parental Bill of Rights passed by the House last March. In addition to requiring greater transparency on who is funding educational material, the TRACE Act empowers parents by requiring schools to disclose if any staff are compensated by other countries or '"foreign entities of concern.'"
In a statement for Fox News, Rep. Bean said, "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."
Malign foreign influence on America's educational system has been a concern of Republicans in both chambers of Congress. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a bill in December denying federal funding to any institute "owned, operated, or controlled by covered persons," which, in this case, means anyone with ties to adversarial foreign governments or associated entities.
Similarly, Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) introduced a bipartisan bill last February prohibiting Chinese-owned or affiliated private schools in the United States from establishing Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs.
"Firms with direct ties with the CCP are buying up American private schools. It is troublesome that our government has been supporting some of these schools financially. Our legislation would ensure that the Pentagon will no longer provide funding to these schools," said Rep. Waltz.
