This bill would create the Strength in Diversity Program to award competitive grants to State and local education agencies, consortia, and regional education agencies. Grants would fund planning and implementation of strategies to reduce racial and socioeconomic isolation and increase diversity in publicly funded early childhood programs, elementary schools, and secondary schools. The Secretary of Education may reserve up to 5% of funds for national activities (research, technical assistance, best practices) and up to 10% for State planning and implementation grants. Grants are competitive and prioritized for prior Opening Doors applicants, programs that address racial isolation, inter-district or regional programs, and those coordinating with local housing agencies. Planning grants last up to 1 year; implementation grants up to 3 years, with an optional 2-year extension for strong progress.
Applications must describe the program, how diversity will improve student outcomes, definitions of racial isolation or socioeconomic status when relevant, plans for community engagement, evaluation and data collection, and how the program will continue after grant funding ends. Allowed planning activities include assessments of student outcomes, transportation and facility capacity analyses, developing options (for example, weighted lotteries or boundary redesign), and community engagement. Allowed implementation activities include recruiting and training staff, funding specialized programs, developing sustainable transportation, designing equitable assignment plans, creating single-point enrollment systems, and increasing teacher diversity. Recipients must report annually and meet performance measures set by the Secretary, including tracking academic outcomes for subgroups and measures of increased diversity.
The bill also includes a clause stating it does not authorize federal control over school curriculum, instruction, administration, or personnel.
The bill authorizes appropriations of "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal year 2027 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years. The text does not specify total dollar amounts. The Secretary may reserve up to 5% of annual funds for national activities and up to 10% for State activities. Planning grants last up to 1 year; implementation grants last up to 3 years and can be extended 2 years for strong progress.
No publicly available information on specific dollar amounts or estimated costs is provided in the bill text.
The bill’s stated purpose is to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive strategies to address the effects of racial isolation or concentrated poverty by increasing racial and socioeconomic diversity in covered schools. It emphasizes evidence-based strategies, community and family engagement, improved student outcomes, teacher diversity, and coordination with housing and transportation authorities.
No publicly available information.