Understanding Student Parent Outcomes Act of 2025
Latest action (12 Jun 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 3994, the Understanding Student Parent Outcomes Act of 2025, would direct the federal government to improve how it tracks college students who are parents or caregivers of dependent children. It requires the Commissioner of Education Statistics to develop a common definition of “parenting student” and add related data elements—such as enrollment, retention, completion, net price, income, employment status, use of campus childcare, and characteristics of dependent children—to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) or similar federal surveys, with data collection beginning in academic year 2026–2027. The Secretary of Education must also provide technical assistance to states and colleges on collecting this data and protecting student privacy, and must conduct a study on best practices for improving outcomes for these students, including the role of campus childcare, reporting results to Congress within two years.
The bill primarily affects institutions of higher education, particularly those already required to complete federal postsecondary surveys, as well as state education agencies and the U.S. Department of Education, which would take on new data-collection and reporting duties. Indirectly, it affects student parents and caregivers, whose enrollment and outcomes would be more systematically tracked, and researchers and policymakers who rely on such federal data.
The bill was introduced in the House on June 12, 2025, by Rep. Deborah Ross with bipartisan cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet received a committee vote, floor action, or become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on June 12, 2025. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3994 do?
- H.R. 3994, the Understanding Student Parent Outcomes Act of 2025, would direct the federal government to improve how it tracks college students who are parents or caregivers of dependent children. It requires the Commissioner of Education Statistics to develop a common definition of “parenting student” and add related data elements—such as enrollment, retention, completion, net price, income, employment status, use of campus childcare, and characteristics of dependent children—to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) or similar federal surveys, with data collection beginning in academic year 2026–2027. The Secretary of Education must also provide technical assistance to states and colleges on collecting this data and protecting student privacy, and must conduct a study on best practices for improving outcomes for these students, including the role of campus childcare, reporting results to Congress within two years. The bill primarily affects institutions of higher education, particularly those already required to complete federal postsecondary surveys, as well as state education agencies and the U.S. Department of Education, which would take on new data-collection and reporting duties. Indirectly, it affects student parents and caregivers, whose enrollment and outcomes would be more systematically tracked, and researchers and policymakers who rely on such federal data. The bill was introduced in the House on June 12, 2025, by Rep. Deborah Ross with bipartisan cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet received a committee vote, floor action, or become law.
- Has H.R. 3994 become law?
- Not yet. As of 12 Jun 2025, H.R. 3994 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3994?
- H.R. 3994 was sponsored by Rep. Deborah Ross [D-NC2] (Democrat-NC), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3994?
- Introduced (12 Jun 2025).
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