Jim Banks urges Cardona to probe Chinese influence in K-12 schools.

Rep. Jim Banks ⁣Calls⁣ for Investigation ‌into Chinese ​Communist Party’s‌ Influence on K-12 Schools

Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) has urged⁢ Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to ⁣order a Department⁣ of‍ Education ‍investigation‌ into the‍ Chinese Communist ‌Party’s influence on ​the nation’s K-12 schools. ​This comes after a ⁣new report from the‍ parent activist group Parents Defending Education revealed the⁣ flow of⁤ money from the Chinese government into the⁣ education infrastructure.

“I write ‌to convey ‌my concerns ⁣about​ a report published this week by Parents‍ Defending Education, which ⁢describes millions of ‌dollars flowing from​ the‌ People’s Republic of China (PRC) into​ America’s K-12 schools,” Banks wrote in his ‍letter. “Evidence⁣ included ⁣in the ​report​ shows ⁣contracts coordinated between PRC ⁤governmental‍ [organizations] and U.S. schools,⁤ involving​ Confucius⁤ Institutes (CIs) and ‍other PRC-controlled entities designed to enhance Beijing’s soft power.”

The report, titled “Little Red Classrooms,” highlights that ‍143 school districts have or had partnerships‍ with Confucius Institutes to provide “Confucius Classrooms”‍ programming⁢ at the K-12 level. Confucius Institutes, Chinese-funded institutes at U.S.‍ universities, have faced​ increased⁤ scrutiny ‌due ⁣to concerns that they are being used ‌to push propaganda efforts on behalf of⁣ the Chinese Communist Party.

Under the ‍Trump administration, the Department of Education launched‍ investigations ‌into foreign influence in higher education, leading to‍ the closure of several ‍institutes. Banks emphasized the need to ensure that K-12 ‌schools are⁤ not being funded by America’s greatest foreign adversary.

“For decades, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ‌has worked⁣ to​ exert‍ influence over ​America’s education system, an effort that Xi Jinping has⁣ dramatically amplified,” Banks⁤ wrote.⁢ “By instituting CIs, ⁢Confucius Classrooms, and⁤ similar partnerships — which American school districts often mistake as‌ benign affiliations and​ grants ⁢— Beijing has been able to establish ties with ‌U.S. schools all across​ the country.”

Banks, who is running for a Senate⁣ seat​ in Indiana, called on the Department of Education to conduct an audit to determine the extent ​of funding from ⁤”hostile adversaries” in ‍K-12 schools. He⁣ also ​urged the department to analyze the access foreign governments have gained to the nation’s ​schools and implement solutions to ⁣halt foreign ​influence and ⁤intellectual property⁢ theft.

“As ⁤I hope you agree, the PRC is the United ⁣States’s​ biggest ⁤geopolitical adversary,”⁢ Banks emphasized. “We should⁢ take every measure to strengthen our defenses against⁢ this adversary, which must include blocking their ability to propagandize ‍in America’s K-12 schools. I call on you⁣ to ​immediately address this issue with the urgency it deserves and look forward⁢ to your ​response.”

The Washington Examiner has reached out‌ to the Department of Education ⁢for comment.