Sponsors (8)
The bill limits classroom instruction on gender identity and gives schools clearer federal restrictions, but does so at the cost of reduced support and information for LGBTQ+ students, potential funding and legal pressures on districts, and chilling effects on educators and free‑speech protections.
Teachers and public schools: receive clearer federal guidance restricting materials defined as 'gender ideology' under programs covered by 20 U.S.C. § 7906, reducing ambiguity about what curriculum is permissible.
Students (and parents who oppose instruction on gender identity): will not be exposed in classrooms to materials labeled as 'gender ideology' under EO 14168, aligning classroom content with those parents' preferences.
LGBTQ+ students: may have reduced access to information, resources, and supportive discussion about gender identity and related topics at school, worsening isolation and health/well‑being risks.
School districts and students: districts that continue inclusive practices could face loss of federal program participation or funding tied to compliance with § 7906, creating financial pressure to change policies.
Teachers and students: educators may face uncertainty and fear of discipline over what discussions or materials violate the prohibition, chilling classroom instruction and honest discussion of gender topics.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Adds a prohibition in the ESEA against teaching or advancing concepts defined as “gender ideology” (per Executive Order 14168).
Official title: Amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prevent the use of funds under such Act to teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 10, 2025 by James Risch · Last progress July 10, 2025
Prohibits teaching or advancing concepts described as “gender ideology” in the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act provision that governs permitted instruction in schools. The bill inserts a new statutory prohibition referencing the definition of “gender ideology” from Executive Order 14168 into the list of disallowed content for elementary and secondary education programs. The change is limited to adding the new prohibition language and does not create new funding, authorities, or programmatic authorizations. It would affect K–12 schools, teachers, students, and state/local education agencies that operate under or receive federal ESEA funding by restricting certain classroom content described by the bill.