Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) will introduce a new bill aimed at protecting American classrooms from foreign influence, especially from China. The Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education (TRACE) Act mandates that schools provide information on any curricula sourced or funded by foreign entities upon parental request. This bill complements legislation introduced by Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL) in June.
Cruz highlighted the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), stating, “The CCP continues to target American educational institutions. The TRACE Act will give parents the transparency they need and deserve and help safeguard classrooms from foreign influence.”
The TRACE Act ensures parents can access information about foreign funding sources at no cost, and school districts must clearly communicate parents’ rights under this policy. Michele Exner, director of federal affairs at Parents Defending Education, endorsed the bill, emphasizing the alarming evidence of foreign nations, particularly the CCP, trying to influence American classrooms.
Rep. Bean’s legislation, introduced last month, seeks to ensure parents are aware of how foreign funding impacts their children’s education. “American schools are for education, not espionage,” Bean said. “We cannot allow our students to be influenced by foreign adversaries.”
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chair of the House Education Committee, also supports the measure, emphasizing the need for transparency in school funding sources. “Significant investments from foreign nations are flowing into America’s K-12 schools, possibly impacting decisions regarding personnel or curriculum,” Foxx stated.
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has already addressed this issue, citing the national security risk posed by Chinese influence on education. “The CCP has funded Confucius Classrooms inside American schools, which are a propaganda campaign to undermine American values,” Walters said.
By introducing the TRACE Act, Cruz aims to provide parents with the tools they need to ensure their children’s education remains free from foreign influence.
