Bonamici Unveils Legislative Plan to Transform K-12 Education

September 17, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC [9/17/26] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the Transforming Education for the Future Act, comprehensive legislation to modernize the K-12 education system and create a better future for students and families. The American education system has experienced significant turbulence during the past decade, including the mismanagement and dismantling of the Department of Education, devastating effects of COVID-19, increased use of devices and social media, the rise of generative AI, and undermining of federal support for public schools. The Transforming Education for the Future Act provides the framework to address these critical issues and more. The legislation is the result of months of stakeholder outreach and member engagement. Bonamici outlined her plan on the House floor. The video can be found here . “For decades, public schools have been asked to do more with less. Add to that the fact that we have seen many new and complicated challenges over the past ten years,” Bonamici said on the House floor. “...Circumstances have changed, but the American system of public education has not yet adapted. We need a public education system that meets the moment for today’s students and tomorrow’s. We need an education system that prepares students not to pass a test, but to think critically and build a future. We need to support the educators who make that possible. And we need to remove those barriers that stand between children and opportunity. The Transforming Education for the Future Act is a blueprint for doing just that." The full text of the legislation can be found here . A summary of the legislation can be found here . The Transforming Education for the Future Act will: Emphasize a Well-Rounded Education for All Students Fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) so children with disabilities get the free and appropriate education and services they need and deserve. Promote hands-on project-based learning and inspire creativity and critical thinking by expanding access to career and technical education, arts, civics, humanities, and more. Reduce state and federal reliance on standardized test scores and expand the use of multiple high-quality measures to capture a more accurate picture of student achievement. Support Educators and Learning Enact policies to address discrimination and bias in K-12 schools, uphold civil rights, and address racial segregation. Strengthen the educator pipeline through historic investments in educator pay, improved working conditions, and ample resources for educators and staff. Fund high-quality education research and promote transformational, evidence-based practices for student success and wellbeing. Address Socioeconomic Barriers to Learning Triple funding for Title I to better serve students from disadvantaged backgrounds and the schools that educate them. Establish free, universal preschool for all three- and four-year-old children through a federal-state partnership. Eliminate stigma and reduce bureaucracy by making school breakfasts and lunches free for all children, provide summer meals and summer EBT, and streamline and expand the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Repeal the federal school voucher program, and restore funding and staff to the Department of Education so the federal government can effectively serve all students in all public schools. The Transforming Education for the Future Act is endorsed by: American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Psychological Association (APA), Glisten, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE), National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Principals Association, National PTA, and the School Social Work Association of America. “PTA firmly believes every child has a right to a high-quality, fair, equitable and well-rounded education as well as the tools and support to learn, succeed and thrive. Our association has long advocated for quality federal investments in our public education system, particularly for Title I, IDEA, Title IV-A, the Statewide Family Engagement Centers program and universal free school meals,” said Dr. Bill Datema, president of National PTA. “We applaud Representative Bonamici for introducing the Transforming Education for the Future Act and leading the charge to ensure investments are prioritized in critical education programs and that every child has the support, programs, resources and services they need to reach their full potential.” In addition to the new policy objectives, this legislation also includes the following bills (alphabetically by legislation): American Teacher Act (Rep. Frederica Wilson) Arts Education for All Act (Rep. Bonamici) Black History is American History Act (Rep. Beatty) Championing Honest and Responsible Transparency in Education Reform (CHARTER) Act (Rep. DeLauro) Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act (Rep. DeLauro) Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act (Rep. Bonamici) Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act (Rep. Susie Lee) Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act (Rep. Gottheimer) IDEA Full Funding Act (Rep. Huffman) Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act (Rep. Moore) Keeping All Students Safe Act (Rep. Beyer) Mitigating Electronic Access Losses for Students (Rep. Bonamici) New Essential Education Discoveries Act (Rep. Bonamici) Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act (Rep. McBath) Protecting Our Students in Schools Act (Rep. Bonamici) Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development (READ) Act (Rep. McBath) Right to Read Act (Rep. Grijalva) Safe Schools Improvement Act (Rep. Sanchez) School Violence Prevention Act (Rep. Hayes) Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act (Rep. Bonamici) Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act (Rep. Meng) Universal School Meals Program Act (Rep. Omar) The Transforming Education for the Future Act is cosponsored by Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Nikki Budzinkski (D-IL), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Angie Craig (D-MN), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Adeltia Grijalva (D-AZ), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and, Andrea Salinas (D-OR), and Linda Sanchez (D-CA). ### Issues : Education