,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dbhh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #ad1 #bjbf,ms4 ,warren 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,markey1 and ,mr4 ,murphy7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to establish an ,educational ,equity ,challenge ,grant program administered by the ,department of ,education4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,educational ,equity ,challenge ,grant ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,educational equity challenge grant program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,educational service agency ,the term educational service agency has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity-- 7,a7 means-- 7i7 a local educational agency2 7ii7 a consortium of local educational agencies2 7iii7 a ,state educational agency2 7iv7 an educational service agency2 7v7 a partnership between a nonprofit organization1 including a provider of early childhood education1 an institution of higher education1 a community-based organization1 or a national intermediary1 and #a or more local educational agencies2 or 7vi7 the ,bureau of ,indian ,education2 and 7,b7 shall not include any for-profit entity4 7#c7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#d7 ,local educational agency ,the term local educational agency has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 7#f7 ,state educational agency ,the term ,state educational agency has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7b7 ,establishment of program ,the ,secretary shall establish an ,educational ,equity ,challenge ,grant program through which the ,secretary awards grants to eligible entities to-- 7#a7 adopt and implement evidence-based activities1 strategies1 and interventions to address academic1 social-emotional1 mental1 behavioral1 and physical health needs1 including ones associated with the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 that meet the standard of evidence described in section #haja7ba77;,a77i7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja7ba77;,a77i772 or 7#b7 design or replicate and implement field- and educator-initiated proposals to address academic1 social-emotional1 mental1 behavioral1 and physical health needs1 including ones associated with the ,,covid-#ai pandemic that-- 7,a7 are independently evaluated by the grantee for efficacy2 and 7,b7 meet the standard of evidence described in section #haja7ba77;,a77i7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja7ba77;,a77i774 7c7 ,allocation of funds 7#a7 ,administrative expenses ,the ,secretary may use not more than #e percent of funds available to carry out this section for administration of the ,educational ,equity ,challenge ,grant program1 including technical assistance1 collaboration with other relevant agencies1 and dissemination of best practices4 7#b7 ,reservation for tribes ,from amounts appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year and not used under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall reserve #e percent to award grants to the outlying areas and the ,bureau of ,indian ,education to carry out activities described in this section in schools operated or funded by the ,bureau of ,indian ,education4 7#c7 ,evidence-based and field-initiated proposals ,from the funds remaining after carrying out paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that-- 7,a7 #ge percent of the grant funds are awarded to evidence-based proposals1 as described in subsection 7b77#a72 and 7,b7 #be percent of the grant funds are awarded to field- and educator-initiated proposals1 as described in subsection 7b77#b74 7#d7 ,rural areas 7,a7 ,in general ,from the funds remaining after carrying out paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that not less than #be percent of the grant funds are awarded to eligible entities-- 7i7 that have a locale code of #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc1 as determined by the ,secretary2 or 7ii7 for which a majority of the schools to be served by the program funded by the grant awarded under this section to such an eligible entity are designated with a locale code of #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc1 or a combination of such codes1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,exception ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under such subparagraph if the ,secretary does not receive a sufficient number of applications of sufficient quality4 7#e7 ,low-income students 7,a7 ,in general ,from the funds remaining after carrying out paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that not less than #ej percent of the grant funds are awarded to eligible entities that serve student populations in which #bj percent or more of school-age children live in low-income families1 according to the most recent ,small ,area ,income and ,poverty ,estimates of the ,bureau of the ,census4 7,b7 ,exception ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under such subparagraph if the ,secretary does not receive a sufficient number of applications of sufficient quality4 7#f7 ,rural and low-income students ,an eligible entity that is described in paragraph 7#d77;,a7 and also described in paragraph 7#e77;,a7 may count as an eligible entity under both paragraphs for purposes of the requirements under such paragraphs4 7d7 ,publication of application ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 publish the applications for grants under this section2 and 7#b7 post on the public website of the ,department of ,education resources regarding identified evidence-based activities1 strategies1 and interventions4 7e7 ,applications ,an eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,secretary may require1 including the following3 7#a7 ,identification by the eligible entity of the inequities experienced by students with respect to academic progress and social-emotional1 mental1 behavioral1 and physical health needs1 including those associated with the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 identified through trauma-informed academic1 social-emotional1 and health needs assessments or assessments used in multi-tiered systems of support4 ,where possible1 applicants shall utilize existing assessments and validated tools1 such as surveys1 to avoid duplicative or excessive student testing4 7#b7 ,the differential impact of the ,,covid-#ai pandemic on increased academic1 social-emotional1 mental1 and physical health needs for specific groups of students1 including low-income students1 students of color and ,native ,american students1 homeless students1 migrant students1 students in foster care1 ,english learners1 students involved with the juvenile justice system1 and students with disabilities1 and other specific groups identified in section #aaaa7;b77#b77;,b77xi7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcaa7;b77#b77;,b77xi771 in a manner that protects personally identifiable information4 7#c7 ,the evidence-based strategies the eligible entity will use to address these inequities if applying for a grant described in subsection 7b77#a74 7#d7 ,how academic1 social-emotional1 mental1 behavioral1 and physical health1 access to accelerated student learning and mastery of content1 and related outcomes will be measured1 including how the eligible entity will use existing assessments and validated tools1 such as surveys1 to avoid duplicative or excessive student testing4 7#e7 ,how the eligible entity will partner and seek ongoing feedback with the parents1 families1 teachers1 paraprofessionals1 local stakeholders1 and community members1 including those from marginalized communities1 to identify academic1 social-emotional1 mental1 behavioral1 and physical health needs of students and collaborate on provision of high-quality services where appropriate4 7#f7 ,how the proposed strategies and interventions will accelerate student learning1 promote mastery of content1 and expand student access to and opportunity for well-rounded1 culturally and linguistically responsive1 and rigorous standards-aligned curricula4 7#g7 ,identification by the eligible entity of the mental and physical health inequities experienced by school staff that are associated with or exacerbated by the ,,covid-#ai pandemic4 7#h7 ,a proposed detailed budget1 including how the applicant plans to distribute funds among schools and groups of students identified as highest need4 7#i7 ,for eligible entities that intend to carry out field- and educator-initiated proposals described in subsection 7b77#b71 a proposal for conducting an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposal4 7f7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to applicants serving disproportionately higher percentages of high-need students1 including low-income students1 students of color and ,native ,american students1 homeless students1 migrant students1 students in foster care1 ,english learners1 students involved with the juvenile justice system1 students with disabilities1 and students that have been disproportionately affected by the ,,covid-#ai pandemic4 7g7 ,uses of funds ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall carry out #a of the following3 7#a7 ,implementation of evidence-based activities1 strategies1 and interventions that meet the requirements described in section #haja7ba77;,a77i7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja7ba77;,a77i771 which shall include at least #a of the following3 7,a7 ,developing1 administering1 and using high-quality1 universally designed assessments that are valid and reliable1 to accurately assess students' academic needs and progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs1 including through differentiating instruction1 progress monitoring1 and providing professional development on how to develop universally designed1 high-quality assessments that are aligned with curricula or how to effectively implement and use existing high-quality assessments for these purposes4 7,b7 ,supporting social and emotional learning1 including through integrated systems of support1 counseling1 and the explicit teaching of cognitive1 social1 and emotional skills and competencies1 by building social and emotional instruction into all classes1 and which may include instituting restorative practices4 7,c7 ,implementing school- and district-wide practices that support students holistically1 including mental health services1 early intervention and prevention practices1 trauma-informed practices1 and efforts to improve family engagement and staff well-being4 7,d7 ,implementing culturally and linguistically responsive practices4 7,e7 ,extending instructional time1 which may include-- 7i7 before or after school programs and extending the school day or year1 including through summer learning programs2 or 7ii7 high-quality distance instruction1 during non-traditional school days and hours 7including during the summer71 including providing professional development to support effective1 personalized instruction4 7,f7 ,implementing high-quality structured individual or small group tutoring4 7,g7 ,implementing and providing professional development on the use of rigorous1 culturally and linguistically competent1 universally designed1 and well-rounded curriculum4 7,h7 ,recruiting and supporting racially1 ethnically1 culturally1 and linguistically diverse1 well-prepared educators1 including those with disabilities1 through comprehensive ,state-accredited teacher preparation programs4 7,i7 ,implementing programs that promote school racial and socioeconomic integration and diversity and effective inclusion of students with disabilities4 7#b7 ,design or replication and implementation of field- and educator-initiated proposals-- 7,a7 that meet the standard of evidence described in section #haja7ba77;,a77ii7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja7ba77;,a77ii772 7,b7 that demonstrate a promising approach2 7,c7 that include family and educator input into their design and implementation2 and 7,d7 that include activities1 strategies1 or interventions that are independently evaluated and published by the grantee for efficacy4 7h7 ,rule of construction for collective bargaining ,nothing in this section shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights1 remedies1 and procedures afforded to school or local educational agency employees under ,federal1 ,state1 or local laws 7including applicable regulations or court orders7 or under the terms of collective bargaining agreements1 memoranda of understanding1 or other agreements between such employers and their employees4 7i7 ,independent evaluations ,an eligible entity that receives a grant for activities described in subsection 7b77#b7 shall-- 7#a7 conduct an independent evaluation for efficacy1 which shall-- 7,a7 estimate the impact of the interventions carried out under the grant 7as implemented at the proposed level of scale on a relevant outcome for individual groups of students72 and 7,b7 be made broadly available digitally and free of charge1 through formal 7including peer-reviewed journals7 and informal 7including newsletters7 mechanisms and through posting on the ,department of ,education's public website2 and 7#b7 cooperate with any technical assistance provided by the ,department of ,education or the contractor of the ,department and comply with the requirements of any evaluation of the program conducted by the ,department4 7j7 ,reports 7#a7 ,grantees ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the ,secretary describing-- 7,a7 the proposed and actual uses of funds1 including a description of how much funding supported which evidence-based interventions2 7,b7 how funds were used and their effect on student access to accelerated student learning and mastery of content and academic1 social-emotional1 mental1 behavioral1 and physical health outcomes1 which may include success measures such as school culture surveys1 workplace culture surveys1 family feedback1 and existing diagnostic or formative assessments1 disaggregated by the specific groups identified in section #aaaa7;b77#b77;,b77xi7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcaa7;b77#b77;,b77xi771 in a manner that protects personally identifiable information2 7,c7 how the ,state educational agency or local educational agency distributed funds1 including any formula or methodology that was used1 to schools served by such agency to meet the academic1 social-emotional1 mental1 behavioral1 and physical health needs of students who have been disproportionately affected by the lasting impact of the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 including students from low-income families1 children with disabilities1 ,english learners1 students of color1 students experiencing homelessness1 children and youth in foster care1 migrant children1 and students involved with the juvenile justice system2 and 7,d7 how the grant funds were supplemented with ,state and local funds targeted to disproportionately affected students as described in subparagraph 7,b71 including funds appropriated through ,state formula grants to local educational agencies4 7#b7 ,reports to ,congress ,beginning #a year after the first grants are awarded under this section1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit and digitally publish a report to ,congress detailing-- 7,a7 the basis on which grants were awarded2 7,b7 eligible entities that received grants and amount of funding received by each grantee2 7,c7 the proposed and1 as available1 actual uses of funds1 including a description of how much funding supported which evidence-based interventions2 7,d7 available outcomes of the grants related to student learning and social-emotional1 mental1 behavioral1 and physical health1 disaggregated by the specific groups identified in section #aaaa7;b77#b77;,b77xi7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcaa7;b77#b77;,b77xi771 in a manner that protects personally identifiable information2 and 7,e7 the technical assistance activities of the ,department of ,education and costs of these activities1 dissemination costs1 and costs of other activities supported by the set-aside for the ,department of ,education4 7k7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section-- 7#a7 #ae1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjbg through #bjbi2 7#b7 #aj1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjcj through #bjcc2 and 7#c7 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjcd through #bjcf4