Sponsors (2)
The bill funds a national study to improve how K–12 students learn about 9/11—likely improving student instruction, trauma-informed approaches, and teacher guidance and informing policy—while imposing modest local reporting burdens, using federal staff resources, and risking perceptions of federal curricular overreach.
Students nationwide will receive clearer, more consistent information about 9/11 as the study identifies where 9/11 education is required, optional, or missing.
Students (especially those exposed to trauma) may benefit from more trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate 9/11 materials if the study highlights and promotes these methods.
Teachers and schools will be better able to get targeted guidance and professional development because the report will identify specific training and resource needs.
Local school districts and sampled schools will face added administrative burden to respond to data requests, increasing workload without guaranteed additional local funding.
Parents and local communities may view any federally recommended curricula resulting from the study as prescriptive, raising concerns about local control over school content.
The study will require federal staff time and resources at the Department of Education, which could divert capacity from other education programs or priorities.
Based on analysis of 1 section of legislative text.
Directs the Department of Education, with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, to study and report on how K–12 schools teach about the September 11 attacks, including standards, materials, training, and outcomes.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Education to conduct a study on the efforts of States, local educational agencies, and public elementary and secondary schools to educate students about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 8, 2026 by Josh S. Gottheimer · Last progress September 8, 2026
Requires the Secretary of Education, working with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, to conduct a nationwide study of how States, local education agencies, and public elementary and secondary schools teach about the September 11, 2001 attacks. The study must look at whether 9/11 instruction is required or optional, standards and implementation, curricula and materials, teacher training and professional development, trauma-informed and project-based approaches, assessment, gaps and challenges, and promising practices. After completing the study, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress within the earlier of 180 days after study completion or three years after enactment. The study must start no later than 180 days after enactment and use representative samples of LEAs and schools across all States.