This bill stands to significantly impact state laws by creating a new funding stream dedicated to educational support during the summer. By providing resources for summer early reading programs, it encourages states to focus on the literacy development of younger students, particularly those who are at risk of falling behind. This could lead to an expansion of services and support systems designed to enhance educational outcomes for students across participating states and provide a safety net against summer learning loss.
Summary
House Bill 9222, titled the ‘Summer Meals and Learning Act of 2024,’ aims to establish a federal grant program to support state libraries in providing access to educational resources during the summer months. Specifically, the bill allows states to offer subgrants to local educational agencies that participate in summer lunch programs, enabling these agencies to keep school libraries open and facilitate summer early reading programs for students in need. The legislation recognizes the importance of continuous learning opportunities for children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may struggle with literacy.
Contention
While the bill has the potential to provide vital support for educational initiatives, points of contention may arise regarding the allocation of federal funds and the competitive basis on which subgrants are awarded. There may be concerns about equality in access - ensuring that all eligible local educational agencies can fairly compete for funding, particularly those in under-resourced areas. Additionally, how states define and implement summer reading programs could lead to varied approaches, raising questions about consistency and efficacy in achieving the bill’s educational goals.
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Expanding Access to High-Impact Tutoring Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to state educational agencies and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for implementing, administering, and evaluating tutoring programs in elementary and secondary schools.Additionally, the bill directs ED to establish an advisory board. Among its duties, the advisory board must (1) evaluate and approve plans to ensure that LEAs will meet tutoring program requirements, (2) provide technical assistance and guidance to grant recipients, and (3) develop a nationwide tutoring workforce.