Owens Co-Sponsors Legislation to Keep Kids In-Person Learning

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) co-sponsored the Kids in Classes Act, which redirects Title I education money to students in the event a school shuts down in-person education. The bill, led by Rep. Chris Jacobs (NY-27) in the House, is a companion to Senate legislation introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Richard Burr (R-NC).

“America’s children are in crisis, and prolonged school closures are to blame,” said Rep. Owens. “Virtual and distance learning has taken a devastating toll on our students’ educational progress, social development, and emotional wellbeing. I am proud to join my colleagues in support of the Kids in Classes Act to put a stop to politically-motivated closures and ensure students have consistency in their education.”

The Kids in Classes Act will allow for Title I funding to follow children if their schools close due to COVID-19 or a strike. These funds could be used for a range of educational support services in the wake of schools not upholding commitments to in-person learning, including curriculum and curricular materials, instruction materials, tutoring/educational classes outside of the home, private school tuition, and educational therapies for students with disabilities.

The full text H.R. 6565 is available here.

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