Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced
Summary
Expand and restructure federal support for charter schools led by educators. This bill would add technical help, new pre‑charter grants for educator‑led developers, and change how existing charter grant money is divided to target those activities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Pre-charter planning grants for developers
If enacted, developer teams preparing to open a charter school could get a pre-charter planning subgrant of up to $100,000. To qualify, teams would need to intend to apply to an authorized chartering agency or have a nonprofit or public sponsor. The team leader would need at least 54 months of school-based experience and be judged by the State to show leadership and student success. Teams would also need a completed initial opening plan that describes local educational needs and how the school would meet them.
State support, loans, and facility help
If enacted, State entities would have to provide technical help to eligible applicants and to charter authorizers. They would work to improve authorizer quality and build capacity for fiscal oversight and audits. At a State entity's discretion, they could help applicants find and access facilities. States could also set up a revolving loan fund or similar tool to pay certain pre-reimbursement expenses before reimbursement is issued.
New splits for charter program funds
If enacted, the charter support program would change how it divides available funds. Subparagraph (A) would go from 90 percent to 80 percent. Subparagraph (B) would change from "not less than 7 percent" to "not more than 10 percent." Up to 5 percent would be set aside for pre-charter planning, and the redesignated subparagraph D would increase from 3 percent to 5 percent.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 10/29/2025
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 11/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov