Strength in Diversity Act of 2025

This bill would create a federal grant program to help public schools become more diverse and to reduce racial and economic isolation. Funds could be used to plan and carry out steps like fairer school assignment and enrollment, programs that draw students across district lines, hiring and training a more diverse staff, and sustainable transportation so students can attend these schools. Plans must include strong family and community input, clear goals, data tracking, and solid evaluation to see what works.

Key points

• Who can apply: State and local education agencies, consortia of school districts, educational service agencies, and regional education agencies with large achievement gaps and segregation.
• How grants are picked: Competitive awards with priority for programs that directly address racial isolation, work across district lines, and coordinate with housing and transportation to open access to lower‑poverty schools.
• What the money can do: Planning can study school boundaries, facilities, transportation, and teacher diversity; implementation can improve enrollment systems, create equitable assignment plans, add specialized programs, expand staffing, and provide sustainable transportation.
• Accountability: Programs must track results like school readiness, achievement, graduation, college/career readiness, mental health access, and discipline rates, and show increased diversity; yearly progress reports are required.
• Guardrails: State applicants must have steps to avoid new district lines or school construction that increase segregation, and applicants must consider effects on nearby schools; the bill bars any federal control over curriculum or school operations.
• When: Planning grants can last up to 2 years; implementation grants up to 3 years, with a possible 2‑year extension. Funding is authorized for fiscal year 2025 and the next five fiscal years.
• Note on set‑asides: A small share may support national research/technical help and State‑level grants.