The bill would create five-year competitive grants for local educational agencies to reduce class sizes in kindergarten through grade 3. Grant plans would aim to bring classes in selected public elementary schools to no more than 18 students. The selected schools would be those in the agency’s highest quartile for students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. At least 97% of grant funds would have to support class-size reduction, including hiring teachers, adding classroom space, professional development, and feedback on educator working conditions. The bill would authorize $2 billion for the first fiscal year after enactment and necessary amounts for later years.
Eligible local educational agencies could apply for grants and would need to report on their progress. Students in selected schools could have smaller classes. The bill also calls for teacher hiring and training, educator preparation time, and reviews of student and teacher outcomes.
The bill authorizes $2 billion for the first fiscal year after enactment and such sums as necessary for each succeeding fiscal year. It does not state the amount of funding that would be provided in later years. Grant recipients could use up to 3% for administrative expenses; at least 97% must support class-size reduction.
The bill’s stated purpose is to help public schools reduce early-grade class sizes. Its grant plans also address teacher recruitment and support, professional development, classroom space, and educator working conditions.
No publicly available information.