The bill would create five-year competitive grants for local educational agencies to reduce class sizes in kindergarten through grade 3. Grant plans must aim to lower class sizes to no more than 18 students per class in targeted schools. These are public elementary schools in the highest quartile for the number of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch among schools served by the agency. The bill also requires plans for hiring and supporting teachers, professional development, and teacher preparation time. Grant recipients would report yearly on progress, and the Education Department would evaluate the program.
A school district or other local educational agency could apply for a grant. If selected, it would first prioritize targeted schools with the highest share of students from families at or below the poverty line, then those with the largest average early-grade classes. The bill does not guarantee that a particular school or student would receive support.
The bill authorizes $2 billion for the first fiscal year after enactment and whatever additional amounts are needed for each later fiscal year. Recipients could use up to 3% of grant funds for administration. At least 97% must go toward reducing class sizes; no more than 15% of grant funds could go to classroom space or building renovations, and no more than 15% could go to professional development.
The bill's stated purpose is to help public schools reduce class sizes in the early elementary grades. No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.