Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2026

More school help for high-need students

This bill would create a new Educational Equity Challenge Grant program at the Department of Education. It would authorize $15 billion per year for 2027–2029, $10 billion per year for 2030–2033, and $5 billion per year for 2034–2036. The Department could use up to 5% for administration and must reserve 5% for tribes, outlying areas, and the Bureau of Indian Education. After those set‑asides, 75% of remaining funds would go to evidence‑based implementation and 25% to field‑initiated projects that must include independent evaluations and publish results free online. At least 50% of remaining funds would go to areas where 20% or more of children live in low‑income families (SAIPE), and at least 25% would go to specified rural locales, though the Secretary could lower these floors if not enough strong applications are received. Eligible applicants would include local and state education agencies, educational service agencies, nonprofits, colleges, community organizations, national intermediaries working with schools, and the Bureau of Indian Education; for‑profit entities would be excluded. Applicants would need to document inequities (including COVID‑19 impacts) using trauma‑informed assessments or MTSS, describe evidence‑based strategies or evaluation plans, show measurement plans and budgets that direct funds to high‑need schools and groups, and include family, educator, and community partnership plans. Grantees would report yearly on fund uses and outcomes disaggregated by student groups, and the Department would report to Congress and publish results starting one year after the first awards. If enacted, families in grant-winning districts could see more tutoring, extended learning time, mental health and staff wellbeing supports, and culturally responsive instruction that could reduce some household needs for private tutoring or outside care.