Advanced Coursework Equity Act
Sponsored By: Senator Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced
Summary
Expands access to advanced coursework and STEM pathways for underrepresented students. This bill would create a federal grant program to fund states, districts, and nonprofits so more Black, Latino, Native American students, students with disabilities, English learners, and low-income students can enroll in AP, dual enrollment, gifted services, eighth-grade Algebra I, early college, and related STEM pathways.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
District rules for advanced course access
If enacted, the bill would require grantee districts to carry out at least two activities to expand access. Districts would have to implement open enrollment or universal screening for advanced courses within one year, train leaders and staff within one year, and expand courses, tutoring, and community outreach. "Open enrollment" would let any student enroll in an advanced course without prior test or grade barriers. "Universal screening" would screen all students and use at least two objective assessments (or one in limited cases), allow teacher recommendations, and require IDEA and Section 504 accommodations and a parent opt‑out.
How federal grants fund schools
If enacted, the bill would authorize $266 million a year for each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029 to fund this program. Of those funds, at least 80% would go to states for subgrants, at least 15% to local districts, up to 4% to nonprofits for rural or underserved students, and up to 1% for federal administration. State awards would run 3 years and generally be $15–$60 million each; district awards would run 3 years and be $1–$20 million each; nonprofit awards would be up to $3 million for 3 years. States would have to send at least 65% of their grant money to high‑poverty districts and to schools with fewer advanced course slots.
State reporting, bonuses, and evaluation
If enacted, the bill would require state and district grantees and qualifying nonprofits to file annual reports within 60 days after each grant year with disaggregated enrollment, outcomes, training, and spending data. The Secretary would award a bonus equal to 5% of a grantee's original grant to top‑growth states and districts, and at least half of that bonus must go to the highest‑growth subgrantees or schools. At the end of each three‑year grant period, the Secretary would send Congress an evaluation of program effectiveness, equity impacts, and recommendations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov