Title 20 — EducationRelease 119-73
§7261 Grants for education innovation and research
Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 70— - STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS › Part Part F— - National Activities › Subpart subpart 1— - education innovation and research › § 7261
Summary
The Secretary must give grants to eligible groups to create and test new, evidence-based education programs meant to help high-need students do better in school. Grants come in three stages: early-phase grants to develop and try out promising ideas, mid-phase grants to run and rigorously measure the program’s impact and cost, and expansion grants to scale up and check if big effects can be repeated and kept over time. At least 25% of yearly funds must go to programs serving schools in locales with codes 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, unless there are not enough good applications. Grant recipients must provide matching funds equal to 10% of the grant, but the Secretary can waive that for hard cases such as rural areas, places with many students in poverty, places with many students eligible for free or reduced lunch, places where many families receive assistance under the State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, places with many Medicaid-eligible students, or tribal land. Every grant must be independently evaluated. Up to 5% of the funds each year can be kept for technical help and sharing best practices. Eligible entities: local educational agencies (school districts), State educational agencies (state education departments), the Bureau of Indian Education, consortia of State or local agencies (groups working together), nonprofit organizations, or a State/local agency, consortium, or the Bureau working in partnership with a nonprofit, a business, an educational service agency, or an institution of higher education.
Full Legal Text
Title 20, §7261
Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)(1)From funds reserved under section 7251(b)(2)(A) of this title, the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to—
(A)create, develop, implement, replicate, or take to scale entrepreneurial, evidence-based, field-initiated innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students; and
(B)rigorously evaluate such innovations, in accordance with subsection (e).
(2)The grants described in paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)early-phase grants to fund the development, implementation, and feasibility testing of a program, which prior research suggests has promise, for the purpose of determining whether the program can successfully improve student achievement or attainment for high-need students;
(B)mid-phase grants to fund implementation and a rigorous evaluation of a program that has been successfully implemented under an early-phase grant described in subparagraph (A) or other effort meeting similar criteria, for the purpose of measuring the program’s impact and cost effectiveness, if possible using existing administrative data; and
(C)expansion grants to fund implementation and a rigorous replication evaluation of a program that has been found to produce sizable, important impacts under a mid-phase grant described in subparagraph (B) or other effort meeting similar criteria, for the purposes of—
(i)determining whether such impacts can be successfully reproduced and sustained over time; and
(ii)identifying the conditions in which the program is most effective.
(b)In this subpart, the term “eligible entity” means any of the following:
(1)A local educational agency.
(2)A State educational agency.
(3)The Bureau of Indian Education.
(4)A consortium of State educational agencies or local educational agencies.
(5)A nonprofit organization.
(6)A State educational agency, a local educational agency, a consortium described in paragraph (4), or the Bureau of Indian Education, in partnership with—
(A)a nonprofit organization;
(B)a business;
(C)an educational service agency; or
(D)an institution of higher education.
(c)(1)In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 25 percent of the funds made available for any fiscal year are awarded for programs that meet both of the following requirements:
(A)The grantee is—
(i)a local educational agency with an urban-centric district locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary;
(ii)a consortium of such local educational agencies;
(iii)an educational service agency or a nonprofit organization in partnership with such a local educational agency; or
(iv)a grantee described in clause (i) or (ii) in partnership with a State educational agency.
(B)A majority of the schools to be served by the program are designated with a locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, or a combination of such codes, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under such paragraph if the Secretary does not receive a sufficient number of applications of sufficient quality.
(d)In order to receive a grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall demonstrate that the eligible entity will provide matching funds, in cash or through in-kind contributions, from Federal, State, local, or private sources in an amount equal to 10 percent of the funds provided under such grant, except that the Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement, on a case-by-case basis, upon a showing of exceptional circumstances, such as—
(1)the difficulty of raising matching funds for a program to serve a rural area;
(2)the difficulty of raising matching funds in areas with a concentration of local educational agencies or schools with a high percentage of students aged 5 through 17—
(A)who are in poverty, as counted in the most recent census data approved by the Secretary;
(B)who are eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
(C)whose families receive assistance under the State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); or
(D)who are eligible to receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program; and
(3)the difficulty of raising funds on tribal land.
(e)Each recipient of a grant under this section shall conduct an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the program carried out under such grant.
(f)The Secretary may reserve not more than 5 percent of the funds appropriated under section 7251(b)(2)(A) of this title for each fiscal year to—
(1)provide technical assistance for eligibility entities, which may include pre-application workshops, web-based seminars, and evaluation support; and
(2)to disseminate best practices.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B), is act June 4, 1946, ch. 281, 60 Stat. 230, which is classified generally to chapter 13 (§ 1751 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 1751 of Title 42 and Tables. The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(C), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Part A of title IV of the Act is classified generally to part A (§ 601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.
Prior Provisions
Prior sections 7261 to 7261f were repealed by Pub. L. 114–95, § 5, title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1967, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs. section 7261, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5501, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1841, provided that subpart 10 of part D of former subchapter V of this chapter could be cited as the “Carol M. White Physical Education Program”. Another prior section 7261, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5301, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3701, provided that part C of former subchapter V of this chapter could be cited as the “School Dropout Assistance Act”, prior to the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 107–110. section 7261a, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5502, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1841, provided purpose of former subpart. section 7261b, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5503, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1841, authorized program. section 7261c, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5504, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1841, related to application requirement. section 7261d, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5505, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1842, related to annual report to Secretary and administrative expenses. section 7261e, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5506, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1842, related to other administrative provisions. section 7261f, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5507, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1842, provided that funds were to supplement, not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local funds. A prior section 7262, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5302, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3701, which set forth purpose of the School Dropout Assistance Act, was omitted in the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 107–110. Prior sections 7263 to 7263b were repealed by Pub. L. 114–95, § 5, title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1967, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs. section 7263, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5511, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1843, related to purpose and program authorization. Another prior section 7263, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5303, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3701, related to grants to local educational agencies, prior to the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 107–110. section 7263a, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5512, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1843, related to eligibility and application requirements. section 7263b, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5513, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1844, related to uses of funds. A prior section 7264, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5404 [5304], as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3703, which related to application for school dropout assistance, was omitted in the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 107–110. Prior sections 7265 to 7265e were repealed by Pub. L. 114–95, § 5, title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1967, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs. section 7265, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5521, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1845, provided that subpart 12 of part D of former subchapter V of this chapter could be cited as the “Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Education Through Cultural and Historical Organizations Act”. Another prior section 7265, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5305, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3704, related to use of grants for dropout prevention activities, prior to the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 107–110. section 7265a, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5522, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1845; amended Pub. L. 109–149, title III, § 306(1), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2870, related to findings and purposes. section 7265b, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5523, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1846; amended Pub. L. 109–149, title III, § 306(2), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2870, related to program authorization. section 7265c, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5524, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1847, related to administrative provisions. section 7265d, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5525, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1847; amended Pub. L. 109–149, title III, § 306(3), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2870, related to availability of funds. section 7265e, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5526, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1848, defined terms. A prior section 7266, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5306, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3706, which related to distribution of assistance and limitation on costs, was omitted in the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 107–110. Prior sections 7267 to 7267f were repealed by Pub. L. 114–95, § 5, title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1967, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs. section 7267, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5531, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1848, provided that subpart 13 of part D of former subchapter V of this chapter could be cited as the “Excellence in Economic Education Act of 2001”. Another prior section 7267, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5307, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3706, related to reports, prior to the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 107–110. section 7267a, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5532, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1848, related to purpose and goals. section 7267b, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5533, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1848, authorized a grant program. section 7267c, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5534, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1849, related to grant applications. section 7267d, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5535, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1850, related to requirements for grantees and subgrant recipients. section 7267e, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5536, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1850, related to administrative provisions. section 7267f, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5537, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1851, provided that funds were to supplement, not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local funds. A prior section 7268, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5308, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3706, which authorized appropriations for school dropout assistance, was omitted in the general amendment of former subchapter V of this chapter by Pub. L. 107–110. Prior section 7269 and 7269a were repealed by Pub. L. 114–95, § 5, title IV, § 4001(b)(1)(C), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1967, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs. section 7269, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5541, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1851, authorized grants for the integration of schools and mental health systems. section 7269a, Pub. L. 89–10, title V, § 5542, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1853, related to promotion of school readiness through early childhood emotional and social development.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as an
Effective Date
of 2015 Amendment note under section 6301 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
20 U.S.C. § 7261
Title 20 — Education
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73