Federal civics grants would bar equity and gender identity curriculum

What does this do?

HR 8705 restricts how schools and educational organizations may use federal American History and Civics grant funds. The bill prohibits using those funds for teaching content the bill labels "discriminatory equity ideology" or "gender ideology," terms drawn from recent presidential executive orders that generally cover systemic racial inequality and the idea that gender identity can differ from biological sex. The bill also eliminates any preference given to grant applicants based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status.

Who does it affect?

Schools, teachers, and educational organizations that apply for these federal history and civics grants are directly affected, as curriculum or activities in those prohibited categories could make them ineligible for funding. Students in grant-receiving schools may see changes in what is taught in history and civics classes depending on how their school adjusts its curriculum to remain eligible.

Why does it matter?

Schools that include the prohibited content risk losing eligibility for this specific pot of federal grant funding, which could prompt curriculum changes. The bill does not ban the teaching of any content in all schools, only in programs that receive this particular federal grant funding.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Existing federal grant program affected
• No new spending specified
• Eligibility rules changed

Where does it stand?