RAISE Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2740
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-06T12:03:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Recommending Artificial Intelligence Standards in Education Act of 2025 (RAISE Act of 2025) aims to update federal education law to promote the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies in school curricula. It encourages states to develop and adopt academic standards that prepare elementary and secondary school students for advancements in these fields.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: The bill modifies Section 1111(b)(1)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), which requires states to adopt challenging academic standards in subjects like English, math, and science.
- Specific Addition: It inserts the phrase ", including standards for artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies" into the law, explicitly urging states to incorporate AI and related tech topics into their standards.
- No New Funding or Mandates: The change is advisory, focusing on encouragement rather than requiring states to implement specific programs or allocate resources.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The ESEA already mandates that states develop "challenging academic standards" for core subjects to receive federal funding under programs like Title I.
- This bill expands the scope of these standards by highlighting AI and emerging technologies (e.g., machine learning, robotics, or data science) as priority areas, making them a recommended component without altering the voluntary nature of state standards development.
- It does not impose penalties for non-compliance, preserving state flexibility in education policy.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Education may see indirect effects through its oversight of ESEA compliance, potentially leading to updated guidance or technical assistance for states on integrating AI standards. No direct new responsibilities or funding are created.
- On Citizens: Students in K-12 schools could gain access to AI-focused education, enhancing skills for future jobs in tech-driven industries. Teachers and schools might need to adapt curricula, possibly requiring professional development.
- On International Relations: Minimal impact, as the bill focuses on domestic education; however, it could indirectly support U.S. competitiveness in global AI innovation by building a tech-savvy workforce.
- Broader effects include fostering innovation and addressing workforce gaps in emerging technologies, though implementation depends on state adoption.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Local Education Agencies: Primary decision-makers for adopting standards; they must consider AI integration to align with federal encouragement.
- Students and Educators: K-12 students benefit from potential new learning opportunities; teachers may require training to teach AI concepts.
- Federal Government: Involved through ESEA administration, with bipartisan sponsors (e.g., Senators Husted, Blunt Rochester, and Cassidy) indicating cross-party support.
- Tech Industry and Non-Profits: Could influence or support curriculum development, though not directly regulated by the bill.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the ESEA's framework without creating enforceable mandates, avoiding challenges under education law. "Emerging technologies" is broadly defined, allowing states interpretive flexibility.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federalism principles, as education is primarily a state responsibility; the bill uses encouragement via federal funding incentives rather than direct control, reducing risks of overreach under the 10th Amendment.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction signals consensus on tech education's importance amid rapid AI advancements. It could spark debates on curriculum priorities (e.g., balancing AI with traditional subjects) but promotes non-partisan goals like economic competitiveness. Referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for further review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-09-09: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Recommending Artificial Intelligence Standards in Education Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-09 — PDF (2 pages)