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

H.R. 3453
- SEC. 1. Short title
- SEC. 2. Grants to support high-quality charter schools

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.
- in subsection (c)(1)—
  - in subparagraph (A), by striking 90 percentand inserting 80 percent;
  - in subparagraph (B)—
    - (i) by striking not less than 7 percentand inserting not more than 10 percent; and
    - (ii) by striking after the semicolon;
  - by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
  - in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by striking 3 percentand inserting 5 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 subsection (d)(1)(B), by striking this sectionand inserting subsection (b)(1);
- in subsection (e)(2), by striking this sectionand inserting subsection (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 inserting subgrant funds under subsection (b)(1); and
- in subsection (h), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking this sectionand inserting subsection (b)(1).

H.R. 3453

Table of contents

SEC. 1. Short title

SEC. 2. Grants to support high-quality charter schools