Establishes an Educational Equity Challenge Grant program administered by the Department of Education.
Defines key terms such as “educational service agency,” “eligible entity,” “institution of higher education,” “local educational agency,” “Secretary,” and “State educational agency.”
Grants are awarded to eligible entities to implement evidence-based activities and strategies addressing various needs, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible entities include local educational agencies, consortia, State educational agencies, educational service agencies, partnerships with nonprofit organizations, and the Bureau of Indian Education, excluding for-profit entities.
Allocates funds with specific percentages reserved for administrative expenses, grants to tribes, evidence-based proposals, field-initiated proposals, rural areas, and low-income student populations.
Requires publication of grant applications and resources within 90 days of enactment.
Applications must identify inequities, the impact of COVID-19, proposed evidence-based strategies, and how outcomes will be measured.
Prioritizes grants for applicants serving high-need student populations disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds can be used for implementing evidence-based activities, supporting social-emotional learning, improving mental health services, and recruiting diverse educators.
Requires independent evaluations of funded activities to assess efficacy and make results publicly available.
Grantees must submit annual reports detailing fund usage, effects on student outcomes, and distribution methodologies.
The Secretary must report to Congress annually on grant awards, funding amounts, and outcomes related to student learning and health.
Authorizes appropriations of $15 billion for fiscal years 2025-2027, $10 billion for 2028-2031, and $5 billion for 2032-2034.