Summary#
This bill creates the Educational Equity Challenge Grant program at the Department of Education. The program gives grants to public school agencies, State education agencies, the Bureau of Indian Education, educational service agencies, and partnerships with nonprofit or higher education groups. Grants fund evidence-based or field-initiated activities to address academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs of students, including needs linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary of Education must publish the application and post resources online. The law sets rules for who is eligible, what applications must include, reporting requirements, independent evaluations for certain projects, and priorities for applicants serving high-need students.
What it means for you#
- Schools, districts, tribes, and eligible nonprofit or university partners can apply for competitive grants to support student learning, mental and physical health services, tutoring, extended learning time, culturally responsive teaching, and staff support.
- The program prioritizes applicants serving students who are low-income, rural, students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, homeless or migrant students, students in foster care, and students affected by the pandemic.
- Grantees must report annually on how funds are spent and the effects on student learning and health, and some projects must have independent evaluations.
- The Department will post evidence-based resources and run technical assistance.
Expenses#
- Authorized appropriations: $15,000,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027–2029; $10,000,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2030–2033; $5,000,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2034–2036.
- Up to 5% of funds may be used for administration, technical assistance, and dissemination.
- From remaining funds, 5% is reserved for outlying areas and the Bureau of Indian Education for BIE schools.
- Of the funds remaining after those set-asides: 75% must be awarded to evidence-based proposals and 25% to field- and educator-initiated proposals (with exceptions if the Secretary finds insufficient quality applications).
- At least 25% of remaining funds must be awarded to eligible entities serving rural areas (subject to reduction if insufficient quality applications).
- At least 50% of remaining funds must be awarded to eligible entities that serve student populations where 20% or more of school-age children live in low-income families (subject to reduction if insufficient quality applications).
- No publicly available information on additional cost estimates or fiscal impacts beyond the authorization amounts.
Proponents' View#
The bill is written to provide targeted funding for evidence-based and promising local ideas to address academic recovery and student health needs, including long-term impacts of COVID-19. It emphasizes serving high-need, rural, and low-income student populations, requires use of validated assessments and independent evaluation for field-initiated projects, and aims to share effective practices nationally.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.