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119-s-4535119th CongressWALLET

Strength in Diversity Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

The Strength in Diversity Act of 2026 would create a federal grant program aimed at addressing racial isolation and concentrated poverty by increasing the presence of racial and socioeconomic diversity in covered schools. The bill would fund competitive planning and implementation grants for state and local education agencies and regional consortia that serve segregated or high‑need student populations.

Show full summary
  • Families and students: Grants would fund actions to expand access to more diverse schools, including one‑stop enrollment systems and transportation planning. Funding targets improved outcomes for students of color and low‑income students and requires family and community engagement.
  • Schools and educators: Implementation grants could pay for recruiting, hiring, and training staff and for setting and reporting on teacher diversity goals. Recipients must collect data, run rigorous evaluations, and report annually on academic and noncognitive outcomes and disciplinary and enrollment impacts.
  • State and federal administration: The Secretary could reserve up to 5% for national activities and up to 10% for State planning and implementation support. Planning grants may last up to 1 year and implementation grants up to 3 years.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Grants for planning and implementation

If enacted, planning grants would last up to one year and pay for assessments, facilities and transportation analyses, and diversity assignment options. Implementation grants would last up to three years and could be extended two more years if the Secretary finds significant progress. Implementation funds could pay to hire and train staff, build inter-district programs or shared facilities, start sustainable transportation systems, and create one-stop enrollment or assignment systems to increase access.

New Strength in Diversity Grants

If enacted, this would create the Strength in Diversity competitive grant program at the Department of Education. The program would award planning and implementation grants to state and local education agencies and consortia that serve segregated or high-need areas. The Secretary could reserve up to 5% for national activities and up to 10% for State activities. The Act would authorize such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2027 and the next five fiscal years.

Application rules and data reporting

If enacted, applicants must submit detailed plans showing how they will identify racial isolation, improve outcomes, engage families, and sustain the work after the grant. The Secretary would set performance measures tracking subgroup achievement, graduation, discipline, mental health access, and changes in diversity and isolation. Grant recipients would submit annual reports with data on progress and plans to sustain improvements.

No federal control over schools

If enacted, the Act would say that no federal official may direct or control curriculum, instruction, administration, or personnel of any school or school system. This provision would only clarify limits on federal authority and would not create new federal duties or programs.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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