Transformational Reforms and Updates to Ensure Educational Quality and Urgent Investments in Today's Youth Act of 2021 or the TRUE EQUITY Act
This bill establishes various grant programs to address educational inequities in elementary and secondary schools.
Specifically, the bill creates grant programs related to (1) early childhood education, (2) high-quality and diverse teachers and leaders, (3) college and career readiness pathways, and (4) additional resources for at-risk students. For each grant program, the Department of Education (ED) must award a single grant to an eligible state.
To be eligible for a grant, a state must establish an independent state oversight board. The oversight board must, among other duties (1) determine whether the state and its local educational agencies (LEAs) have met state educational equity goals, and (2) hold them accountable for failing to meet those goals. ED may renew a grant if the oversight board determines the state has met its goals.
In addition, for each grant program, the bill outlines the activities authorized under the program, maintenance-of-effort requirements, and matching fund requirements.
Finally, the bill permits ED to enter into a local flexibility demonstration agreement, through which a state educational agency may use funds to develop and implement a school funding system based on weighted per-pupil allocations for low-income and disadvantaged students. (Currently, ED may enter into these agreements with LEAs.)
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 779 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 779
To provide for a Federal partnership to ensure educational equity and
quality.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 3, 2021
Mr. Trone (for himself, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Mfume, Mr. Brown, Mr. Sarbanes,
and Mr. Ruppersberger) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for a Federal partnership to ensure educational equity and
quality.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Transformational Reforms and Updates
to Ensure Educational Quality and Urgent Investments in Today's Youth
Act of 2021'' or the ``TRUE EQUITY Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The fate of our Nation and the opportunities it creates
for our children and grandchildren to enjoy successful careers
and rewarding lives depends on the quality, equal access, and
effectiveness of pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade
education in every local school district across the country.
(2) Our education systems must prepare students to compete
in an interconnected, global economy.
(3) Despite the current combinations of Federal, State, and
local funding and innovative educational policies, States with
historically well regarded kindergarten through grade 12
education systems may find their students falling behind their
peers nationally and internationally. In Maryland, a State with
a historically well regarded kindergarten through grade 12
education system, fourth and eighth graders placed in the
middle of the pack nationally in reading and math scores on the
National Assessment of Education Progress.
(4) The United States as a whole scored well down the
second quartile among students from 72 countries on the
Programme for International Student Assessment.
(5) Even in States with reading and math scores higher than
the national average, there may be significant and persistent
racial, ethnic, and income disparity gaps between students of
color and low-income students compared to their higher income
and white peers.
(6) These same disparities carry into college enrollment,
with fewer students of color and low-income students enrolling
in college than their higher income and white peers.
(7) The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) health pandemic forced
the physical closure of schools nationwide in March 2020,
moving students from the classroom to online learning. The
public health necessity to turn to online learning further
exacerbated the significant and persistent racial, ethnic, and
income disparity learning gaps as students struggled to access
educational technology devices and the internet.
(8) At the start of online learning, Maryland school
districts reported that on average, nearly 25 percent of
Maryland students had not logged into their new online
classrooms or picked up paper work packets, falling out of
sight and behind their peers.
(9) Millions of children are falling further behind as a
result of opportunity gaps that fail to provide students with
ready access to individualized instruction, healthy meals,
mental health counseling services, and hands on career training
programs.
(10) In order to address these inequities in education and
harm caused by COVID-19, certain States, including Maryland,
have researched and proposed bold, transformative Federal,
State, and local funding and policy changes to their pre-
kindergarten through twelfth grade education systems, with five
main policy recommendations under the Maryland Commission on
Innovation & Excellence in Education that include the
following:
(A) Investing in high-quality early childhood
education and care through a significant expansion of
full day pre-school, to be free for all low-income
three- and four-year-olds, so that all children have
the opportunity to begin kindergarten ready to learn.
(B) Investing in teachers and school leaders by
elevating the standards and status of the teaching
profession, including a performance-based career ladder
and salaries comparable to other fields with similar
education requirements.
(C) Creating a world-class instructional system
with an internationally benchmarked curriculum that
enables most students to achieve ``college and career
ready'' status by 10th grade and then pursue pathways
that include early college, Advanced Placement courses,
or a rigorous technical education leading to industry-
recognized credentials and high paying jobs.
(D) Providing supports to students that need it the
most with broad and sustained support for schools
serving high concentrations of poverty, with after
school and summer academic programs and student access
to needed health and social services.
(E) Ensuring excellence for all through an
accountability-oversight board that has the authority
to ensure transformative education system
recommendations are successfully implemented and
produce the desired improvements in student
achievement.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) no matter a child's zip code, they deserve equal access
to a quality, public pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade
education;
(2) no inequities in student achievement, college
enrollment, or Federal, State, and local funding should be
tolerated;
(3) the Federal Government should live up to its original
commitment in 1975 under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) to provide 40 percent of
the cost to educate children with disabilities and assist State
educational agencies and local educational agencies in
providing a free appropriate public education; and
(4) the Federal Government should be an active partner with
State educational agencies and local educational agencies that
are willing to modify policies and commit additional State and
local resources to address education inequities.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(3) State educational agency.--The term ``State educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
TITLE I--EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
SEC. 101. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award a single grant,
on a competitive basis, to an eligible State to enable the
State to carry out the authorized activities described in
subsection (c).
(2) Eligible state.--In this section, the term ``eligible
State'' means a State--
(A) that has established a State Oversight Board as
described in section 501; and
(B) that commits to educational equity.
(3) Duration; renewal.--The grant awarded under this
section shall be for a 2-year duration, and may be renewed by
the Secretary for not more than 4 additional 2-year periods if
the State Oversight Board of the State determines that the
State has met the educational equity goals of the State, as
described in section 501.
(4) Maintenance of effort.--If the Secretary does not renew
a grant awarded under this section to a State for an additional
2-year period for failure to meet the educational equity goals
of the State, the State shall provide, from non-Federal
sources, amounts for such 2-year period that are not less than
the sum of the grant amount provided by the Secretary and the
matching funds provided by the State under subsection (d) for
the initial 2-year grant period.
(b) Application.--An eligible State that desires to receive a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the
Secretary may require, including providing the State's educational
equity goals and the accountability consequences for the State and
local educational agencies in the State if the State Oversight Board
determines that the State or a local educational agency fails to meet
the educational equity goals of the State, including the potential
withholding of funds, as described in section 501.
(c) Authorized Activities.--
(1) In general.--An eligible State that receives a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out
activities authorized under the following provisions:
(A) Section 619 and part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419 and 1431 et
seq.).
(B) Paragraphs (1)(B)(i), (5)(A), and (5)(B) of
section 640(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9835(1)(B)(i), (5)(A), and (5)(B)).
(C) Section 9212 of the Every Student Succeeds Act
(42 U.S.C. 9831 note).
(2) Subgrants.--An eligible State that receives a grant
under this section may use the grant funds to award subgrants
to local educational agencies to carry out the activities
described in paragraph (1).
(3) Compliance with programs.--In using grant funds
provided under this section or subgrant funds provided under
paragraph (2) to carry out the activities described in
paragraph (1), the eligible State or local educational agency
shall comply with the requirements of the programs under which
such activities are authorized.
(d) Matching Requirement.--Each eligible State that receives a
grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an
amount equal to 200 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be
provided in cash or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by
the grant.
(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible State shall use Federal
funds received under this section only to supplement the funds that
would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available from
State and local sources for activities described in subsection (c), and
not to supplant such funds.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $275,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
(2) $288,750,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(3) $303,187,500 for fiscal year 2023;
(4) $318,346,875 for fiscal year 2024;
(5) $334,264,219 for fiscal year 2025;
(6) $350,977,430 for fiscal year 2026;
(7) $368,526,301 for fiscal year 2027;
(8) $386,952,616 for fiscal year 2028;
(9) $406,300,247 for fiscal year 2029; and
(10) $426,615,259 for fiscal year 2030.
TITLE II--HIGH-QUALITY AND DIVERSE TEACHERS AND LEADERS
SEC. 201. HIGH-QUALITY AND DIVERSE TEACHERS AND LEADERS GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award a single grant,
on a competitive basis, to an eligible State to enable the
State to carry out the authorized activities described in
subsection (c).
(2) Eligible state.--In this section, the term ``eligible
State'' means a State--
(A) that has established a State Oversight Board as
described in section 501; and
(B) that commits to educational equity.
(3) Duration; renewal.--The grant awarded under this
section shall be for a 2-year duration, and may be renewed by
the Secretary for not more than 4 additional 2-year periods if
the State Oversight Board of the State determines that the
State has met the educational equity goals of the State, as
described in section 501.
(4) Maintenance of effort.--If the Secretary does not renew
a grant awarded under this section to a State for an additional
2-year period for failure to meet the educational equity goals
of the State, the State shall provide, from non-Federal
sources, amounts for such 2-year period that are not less than
the sum of the grant amount provided by the Secretary and the
matching funds provided by the State under subsection (d) for
the initial 2-year grant period.
(b) Application.--An eligible State that desires to receive a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the
Secretary may require, including providing the State's educational
equity goals and the accountability consequences for the State and
local educational agencies in the State if the State Oversight Board
determines that the State or a local educational agency fails to meet
the educational equity goals of the State, including the potential
withholding of funds, as described in section 501.
(c) Authorized Activities.--
(1) In general.--An eligible State that receives a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out
activities authorized under the following provisions:
(A) Section 2101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6611).
(B) Subpart 1 of part B of title II of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6631 et seq.).
(C) Sections 2242, 2243, and 2245 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672,
6673, and 6675).
(D) Section 3131 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6861).
(E) Subparts 1 and 2 of part D of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.
and 1461 et seq.).
(2) Subgrants.--An eligible State that receives a grant
under this section may use the grant funds to award subgrants
to local educational agencies to carry out the activities
described in paragraph (1).
(3) Compliance with programs.--In using grant funds
provided under this section or subgrant funds provided under
paragraph (2) to carry out the activities described in
paragraph (1), the eligible State or local educational agency
shall comply with the requirements of the programs under which
such activities are authorized.
(d) Matching Requirement.--Each eligible State that receives a
grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an
amount equal to 200 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be
provided in cash or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by
the grant.
(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible State shall use Federal
funds received under this section only to supplement the funds that
would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available from
State and local sources for activities described in subsection (c), and
not to supplant such funds.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $340,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
(2) $357,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(3) $374,850,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(4) $393,592,500 for fiscal year 2024;
(5) $413,272,125 for fiscal year 2025;
(6) $433,935,731 for fiscal year 2026;
(7) $455,632,518 for fiscal year 2027;
(8) $478,414,144 for fiscal year 2028;
(9) $502,334,851 for fiscal year 2029; and
(10) $527,451,594 for fiscal year 2030.
TITLE III--COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PATHWAYS
SEC. 301. COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PATHWAYS GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award a single grant,
on a competitive basis, to an eligible State to enable the
State to carry out the authorized activities described in
subsection (c).
(2) Eligible state.--In this section, the term ``eligible
State'' means a State--
(A) that has established a State Oversight Board as
described in section 501; and
(B) that commits to educational equity.
(3) Duration; renewal.--The grant awarded under this
section shall be for a 2-year duration, and may be renewed by
the Secretary for not more than 4 additional 2-year periods if
the State Oversight Board of the State determines that the
State has met the educational equity goals of the State, as
described in section 501.
(4) Maintenance of effort.--If the Secretary does not renew
a grant awarded under this section to a State for an additional
2-year period for failure to meet the educational equity goals
of the State, the State shall provide, from non-Federal
sources, amounts for such 2-year period that are not less than
the sum of the grant amount provided by the Secretary and the
matching funds provided by the State under subsection (d) for
the initial 2-year grant period.
(b) Application.--An eligible State that desires to receive a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the
Secretary may require, including providing the State's educational
equity goals and the accountability consequences for the State and
local educational agencies in the State if the State Oversight Board
determines that the State or a local educational agency fails to meet
the educational equity goals of the State, including the potential
withholding of funds, as described in section 501.
(c) Authorized Activities.--
(1) In general.--An eligible State that receives a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out
activities authorized under the following provisions:
(A) Section 135 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2355).
(B) Subpart 11 of part A of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, as added by section 302 of this
Act.
(2) Subgrants.--An eligible State that receives a grant
under this section may use the grant funds to award subgrants
to local educational agencies to carry out the activities
described in paragraph (1).
(3) Compliance with programs.--In using grant funds
provided under this section or subgrant funds provided under
paragraph (2) to carry out the activities described in
paragraph (1), the eligible State or local educational agency
shall comply with the requirements of the programs under which
such activities are authorized.
(d) Matching Requirement.--Each eligible State that receives a
grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an
amount equal to 200 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be
provided in cash or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by
the grant.
(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible State shall use Federal
funds received under this section only to supplement the funds that
would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available from
State and local sources for activities described in subsection (c), and
not to supplant such funds.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
(2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(3) $55,125,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(4) $57,881,250 for fiscal year 2024;
(5) $60,775,312 for fiscal year 2025;
(6) $63,814,077 for fiscal year 2026;
(7) $67,004,780 for fiscal year 2027;
(8) $70,355,019 for fiscal year 2028;
(9) $73,872,770 for fiscal year 2029; and
(10) $77,566,408 for fiscal year 2030.
SEC. 302. JUMPSTART TO COLLEGE GRANT PROGRAMS.
Part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Subpart 11--Jumpstart to College
``SEC. 420T. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subpart:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an
institution of higher education in partnership with one or more
local educational agencies (which may be an educational service
agency). Such partnership may also include other entities such
as nonprofit organizations or businesses, and schools in
juvenile detention centers.
``(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given the
term in section 101.
``(3) ESEA terms.--The terms `dual or concurrent enrollment
program', `early college high school', `educational service
agency', `four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate', `local
educational agency', `secondary school', and `State' have
meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965.
``(4) Low-income student.--The term `low-income student'
means a student counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
``(5) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term
`recognized postsecondary credential' has the meaning given the
term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
``SEC. 420U. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``To carry out this subpart, there are authorized to be
appropriated $137,500,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each of the five
succeeding fiscal years.
``SEC. 420V. GRANTS TO STATES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award a single grant to a
State, on a competitive basis, to assist the State in supporting or
establishing early college high schools or dual or concurrent
enrollment programs.
``(b) Duration.--The grant under this section shall be awarded for
a period of 2 years, and may be renewed by the Secretary for not more
than 4 additional 2-year periods.
``(c) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that the amount of
the grant under this section is sufficient to enable the grantee to
carry out the activities described in subsection (f).
``(d) Matching Requirement.--For each year that a State receives a
grant under this section, the State shall provide, from non-Federal
sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant
received by the State for such year to carry out the activities
supported by the grant.
``(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--A State shall use a grant received
under this section only to supplement funds that would, in the absence
of such grant, be made available from other Federal, State, or local
sources for activities supported by the grant, not to supplant such
funds.
``(f) Uses of Funds.--
``(1) Mandatory activities.--A State shall use grant funds
received under this section to--
``(A) support the activities described in its
application under subsection (g);
``(B) plan and implement a statewide strategy for
expanding access to early college high schools and dual
or concurrent enrollment programs for students who are
underrepresented in higher education to raise statewide
rates of secondary school graduation, readiness for
postsecondary education, and completion of recognized
postsecondary credentials, with a focus on students
academically at risk of not enrolling in or completing
postsecondary education;
``(C) identify any obstacles to such a strategy
under State law or policy;
``(D) provide technical assistance (either directly
or through a knowledgeable intermediary) to early
college high schools and other dual or concurrent
enrollment programs, which may include--
``(i) brokering relationships and
agreements that forge a strong partnership
between elementary and secondary and
postsecondary partners; and
``(ii) offering statewide training,
professional development, and peer learning
opportunities for school leaders, instructors,
and counselors or advisors;
``(E) identify and implement policies that will
improve the effectiveness and ensure the quality of
early college high schools and dual or concurrent
enrollment programs, such as eligibility and access,
funding, data and quality assurance, governance,
accountability, and alignment policies;
``(F) update the State's requirements for a student
to receive a regular high school diploma to align with
the challenging State academic standards and entrance
requirements for credit-bearing coursework as described
in subparagraphs (A) and (D) of section 1111(b)(1) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
``(G) incorporate indicators regarding student
access to and completion of early college high schools
and dual or concurrent enrollment programs into the
school quality and student success indicators included
in the State system of annual meaningful
differentiation as described under section
1111(c)(4)(B)(v)(I) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965;
``(H) disseminate best practices for early college
high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment
programs, which may include best practices from
programs in the State or other States;
``(I) facilitate statewide secondary and
postsecondary data collection, research and evaluation,
and reporting to policymakers and other stakeholders;
and
``(J) conduct outreach programs to ensure that
secondary school students, their families, and
community members are aware of early college high
schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs in
the State.
``(2) Allowable activities.--A State may use grant funds
received under this section to--
``(A) establish a mechanism to offset the costs of
tuition, fees, standardized testing and performance
assessment costs, and support services for low-income
students, and students from underrepresented
populations enrolled in early college and high schools
or dual or concurrent enrollment;
``(B) establish formal transfer systems within and
across State higher education systems, including two-
year and four-year public and private institutions, to
maximize the transferability of college courses;
``(C) provide incentives to school districts that--
``(i) assist high school teachers in
getting the credentials needed to participate
in early college high school programs and dual
or concurrent enrollment; and
``(ii) encourage the use of college
instructors to teach college courses in high
schools;
``(D) support initiatives to improve the quality of
early college high school and dual or concurrent
enrollment programs at participating institutions; and
``(E) reimburse low-income students to cover part
or all of the costs of an Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate examination.
``(g) State Applications.--
``(1) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, a State shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Contents of application.--The application under
paragraph (1) shall include, at minimum, a description of--
``(A) how the State will carry out the mandatory
State activities described in subsection (f)(1);
``(B) how the State will ensure that any programs
funded with a grant under this section are coordinated
with programs under--
``(i) the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301
et seq.);
``(ii) the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.);
``(iii) the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965; and
``(iv) the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act;
``(C) how the State intends to use grant funds to
address achievement gaps for each category of students
described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
``(D) how the State will access and leverage
additional resources necessary to sustain early college
high schools or other dual or concurrent enrollment
programs;
``(E) how the State will identify and eliminate
barriers to implementing effective early college high
schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs
after the grant expires, including by engaging
businesses and nonprofit organizations; and
``(F) such other information as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.''.
TITLE IV--MORE RESOURCES TO ENSURE ALL STUDENTS ARE SUCCESSFUL
SEC. 401. STUDENT SUCCESS GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award a single grant,
on a competitive basis, to an eligible State to enable the
State to carry out the authorized activities described in
subsection (c).
(2) Eligible state.--In this section, the term ``eligible
State'' means a State--
(A) that has established a State Oversight Board as
described in section 501; and
(B) that commits to educational equity.
(3) Duration; renewal.--The grant awarded under this
section shall be for a 2-year duration, and may be renewed by
the Secretary for not more than 4 additional 2-year periods if
the State Oversight Board of the State determines that the
State has met the educational equity goals of the State, as
described in section 501.
(4) Maintenance of effort.--If the Secretary does not renew
a grant awarded under this section to a State for an additional
2-year period for failure to meet the educational equity goals
of the State, the State shall provide, from non-Federal
sources, amounts for such 2-year period that are not less than
the sum of the grant amount provided by the Secretary and the
matching funds provided by the State under subsection (d) for
the initial 2-year grant period.
(b) Application.--An eligible State that desires to receive a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the
Secretary may require, including providing the State's educational
equity goals and the accountability consequences for the State and
local educational agencies in the State if the State Oversight Board
determines that the State or a local educational agency fails to meet
the educational equity goals of the State, including the potential
withholding of funds, as described in section 501.
(c) Authorized Activities.--
(1) In general.--An eligible State that receives a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out
activities authorized under the following provisions:
(A) Part A of title I of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et
seq.).
(B) Part C of title I of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6391 et
seq.).
(C) Part D of title I of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6421 et
seq.).
(D) Part E of title I of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6491 et
seq.).
(E) Subparts 2 and 3 of part B of title II of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6641 et seq. and 6661 et seq.).
(F) Subpart 1 of part A of title III of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6821 et seq.).
(G) Subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7111 et seq.).
(H) Part B of title IV of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7171 et
seq.).
(I) Part D of title IV of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7231 et
seq.).
(J) Sections 4624 and 4625 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7274 and
7275).
(K) Section 4641 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7291 et seq.).
(L) Section 611 of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411).
(2) Subgrants.--An eligible State that receives a grant
under this section may use the grant funds to award subgrants
to local educational agencies to carry out the activities
described in paragraph (1).
(3) Compliance with programs.--In using grant funds
provided under this section or subgrant funds provided under
paragraph (2) to carry out the activities described in
paragraph (1), the eligible State or local educational agency
shall comply with the requirements of the programs under which
such activities are authorized.
(d) Matching Requirement.--Each eligible State that receives a
grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an
amount equal to 200 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be
provided in cash or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by
the grant.
(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible State shall use Federal
funds received under this section only to supplement the funds that
would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available from
State and local sources for activities described in subsection (c), and
not to supplant such funds.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
(2) $787,500,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(3) $826,875,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(4) $868,218,750 for fiscal year 2024;
(5) $911,629,688 for fiscal year 2025;
(6) $957,211,172 for fiscal year 2026;
(7) $1,005,071,731 for fiscal year 2027;
(8) $1,055,325,318 for fiscal year 2028;
(9) $1,108,091,584 for fiscal year 2029; and
(10) $1,163,496,163 for fiscal year 2030.
TITLE V--GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
SEC. 501. STATE OVERSIGHT BOARDS.
(a) In General.--In order to be eligible to receive a grant under
title I, II, III, or IV, a State shall establish a State Oversight
Board that is independent of the State educational agency, ensures
educational equity in the State, and holds the State educational agency
and local educational agencies in the State accountable for failure to
meet such educational equity.
(b) Authority of State Oversight Boards.--A State Oversight Board
established pursuant to this section shall--
(1) determine implementation plans and guidelines for the
State educational agency and local educational agencies in the
State to meet the educational equity goals determined by the
State under subsection (c);
(2) determine whether the State and local educational
agencies in the State have met the educational equity goals
determined by the State;
(3) hold the State and local educational agencies in the
State accountable for a failure to meet the educational equity
goals, pursuant to the accountability consequences described
under subsection (c); and
(4) provide to the Secretary, on an annual basis, the
progress of the State and local educational agencies in the
State towards meeting the educational equity goals.
(c) Authority of State.--A State that establishes a State Oversight
Board under this section shall determine--
(1) the educational equity goals of the State, that
includes a requirement that the State and local educational
agencies in the State maintain a level of financial support for
elementary and secondary education that is not less than the
level of such support for fiscal year 2019; and
(2) the accountability consequences for the State and local
educational agencies in the State if the State Oversight Board
determines that the State or a local educational agency fails
to meet the educational equity goals of the State, including
the potential withholding of funds.
(d) Technical Assistance and Oversight.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary and the Office for Civil
Rights of the Department of Education shall provide technical
assistance--
(A) to States in implementing the educational
equity goals of the State; and
(B) to State Oversight Boards in carrying out
subsection (b), including in determining whether the
State and local educational agencies in the State have
met the educational equity goals determined by the
State.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for
each fiscal year.
TITLE VI--STATE FLEXIBILITY FOR EQUITABLE PER-PUPIL FUNDING
SEC. 601. STATE FLEXIBILITY FOR EQUITABLE PER-PUPIL FUNDING.
Section 1501 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6491) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``and certain State
educational agencies on behalf of a State's local educational
agencies'' after ``local educational agencies'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``and certain
State educational agencies on behalf of a State's local
educational agencies'' after ``local educational
agencies''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and certain
State educational agencies on behalf of a State's local
educational agencies'' after ``local educational
agencies'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or 1 State
educational agency on behalf of the State's local
educational agencies'' after ``local educational
agencies'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``or State educational
agency'' after ``local educational agency'';
and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or
consolidated State'' after ``local''; and
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``any local'' and inserting
``any''; and
(ii) by striking ``the local'' and
inserting ``the'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A)--
(I) by striking ``Each local'' and
inserting ``Each''; and
(II) by inserting ``or consolidated
State'' after ``local'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking
``local'';
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``local'';
(iv) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``local educational'' and inserting
``educational'';
(v) in subparagraph (G), by striking
``local educational'' and inserting
``educational'';
(vi) in subparagraph (H), by striking
``local educational'' and inserting
``educational'';
(vii) in subparagraph (I), by striking
``local educational'' and inserting
``educational''; and
(viii) in subparagraph (G), by striking
``local educational'' and inserting
``educational'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``local educational'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``educational'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``local educational'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``educational''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``local educational'' and inserting
``educational'';
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``local educational''
and inserting ``educational'';
(6) in subsection (f)--
(A) by striking ``local educational'' and inserting
``educational''; and
(B) by inserting ``or consolidated State'' after
``local'';
(7) in subsection (g), by inserting ``or consolidated
State'' after ``local'';
(8) in subsection (h)--
(A) by striking ``local educational'' and inserting
``educational''; and
(B) by inserting ``or consolidated State'' after
``local'';
(9) in subsection (i), by striking ``local educational''
each place the term appears and inserting ``educational'';
(10) in subsection (j), by inserting ``or consolidated
State'' after ``local'';
(11) in subsection (k)--
(A) by striking ``local educational'' and inserting
``educational''; and
(B) by inserting ``or consolidated State'' after
``local'' each place the term appears;
(12) in subsection (l)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``or State educational
agency'' after ``local educational agency'';
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``and'' after the semicolon;
(iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) title I of the TRUE EQUITY Act;
``(G) title II of the TRUE EQUITY Act;
``(H) title III of the TRUE EQUITY Act; and
``(I) title IV of the TRUE EQUITY Act.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``is in the
highest 2 quartiles of schools served by a local
educational agency, based on the percentage of enrolled
students from low-income families'' and inserting
``serves students not less than 55 percent of whom are
students are eligible for a free or reduced price lunch
under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.)''; and
(13) by adding at the end the following:
``(m) Funding Flexibility for TRUE EQUITY Act Funds.--
``(1) Technical assistance.--A State educational agency
that submits a consolidated State flexibility demonstration
agreement under this section shall provide technical assistance
to local educational agencies in the State that desire to
participate in the program under this section in submitting
applications to enter into local flexibility demonstration
agreements with the Secretary.
``(2) Duration and renewal.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this section, the Secretary--
``(A) is authorized to enter into local flexibility
demonstration agreements for not more than 2 years with
local educational agencies that are selected under
subsection (c) and submit proposed agreements that meet
the requirements of subsection (d) for flexibility to
consolidate eligible Federal funds that are described
in subparagraph (F), (G), (H), or (I) of subsection
(l); and
``(B) may renew for not more than 4 additional 2-
year terms a local flexibility demonstration agreement
described in subparagraph (A).''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
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