H.R. 3453
119th CONGRESS 1st Session
To modify the program of grants to support high-quality charter schools.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · May 15, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Letlow · Committee: Committee on Education and Workforce
Table of contents
SEC. 1. Short title
- This Act may be cited as the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act.
SEC. 2. Grants to support high-quality charter schools
- Section 4303 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 () is amended— 20 U.S.C. 7221b
- in subsection (b)—
- in paragraph (1)(C), by striking after the semicolon;
and - by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
- (2)
- provide technical assistance to eligible applicants and authorized public chartering agencies in carrying out the activities described in paragraph (1);
- work with authorized public chartering agencies in the State to improve authorizing quality, including developing capacity for, and conducting, fiscal oversight and auditing of charter schools; and
- at the State entity’s discretion—
- (i) fund a revolving loan fund or similar mechanisms for expenses under subsection (h) prior to an eligible applicant receiving reimbursement; and
- (ii) provide assistance to eligible applicants in locating and accessing a facility; and
- provide pre-charter planning subgrants (in amounts of no more than $100,000 per prospective applicant) to charter school developers that—
- intend to submit an application—
- (i) to an authorized public chartering agency to operate a charter school; or
- (ii) to nonprofit or public entities for the provision of financial support to such developers;
- are led by educators who—
- (i) have not less than 54 months of school-based experience (which may include experience in teaching in or administering after school or summer school programs); and
- (ii) have demonstrated leadership competencies and success with students, as determined by the State entity; and
- have successfully completed the development of an initial plan for opening a charter school, as evidenced by a description of the educational needs of the community in which the proposed charter school will be located and how the proposed charter school will be suited to meet those needs.
- intend to submit an application—
- (2)
- in paragraph (1)(C), by striking after the semicolon;
- in subsection (c)(1)—
- in subparagraph (A), by striking
90 percentand inserting80 percent; - in subparagraph (B)—
- (i) by striking
not less than 7 percentand insertingnot more than 10 percent; and - (ii) by striking after the semicolon;
- (i) by striking
- by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
- in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by striking
3 percentand inserting5 percent; and- reserve not more than 5 percent of such funds to carry out the activities described in subsection (b)(3); and
- by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
- in subparagraph (A), by striking
- in subsection (d)(1)(B), by striking
this sectionand insertingsubsection (b)(1); - in subsection (e)(2), by striking
this sectionand insertingsubsection (b)(1); - in subsection (f)(1)(A)(vi)—
- in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting after ; and
- in subclause (II), by striking
subgrant funds under this sectionand insertingsubgrant funds under subsection (b)(1); and
- in subsection (h), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
this sectionand insertingsubsection (b)(1).
- in subsection (b)—