US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB847

Introduced
1/31/25  

Caption

Building Lasting Opportunities for Community K–12 Act or the BLOCK ActThis bill repeals on October 1, 2025, specified formula grants for programs administered by the Department of Education (ED). Beginning with FY2026, ED must instead provide block grants for these programs to each state based on amounts received in FY2025.Specifically, the bill repeals the following allocation formulas for programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965:the Education for the Disadvantaged program (which includes Basic Grants, Concentration Grants, Targeted Grants, and Education Finance Incentive Grants);State Assessment Grants;the Migrant Education Program;Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk;Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants; English Language Acquisition State Grants;Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants;the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program;the Rural Education Achievement Program (which includes both the Small, Rural School Achievement Program and the Rural and Low-Income School Program); andIndian Education Formula Grants.

Impact

The impact of HB 847 is multifaceted, affecting how states manage and distribute educational resources. By replacing formula grants with block grants, the bill aims to provide states with greater flexibility in utilizing funds. Advocates suggest that this approach could lead to more effective allocation of resources tailored to the specific needs of each state. However, this shift could also mean that federal oversight on how funds are used may decrease, leading to potential disparities in educational quality across states.

Summary

House Bill 847, officially titled the Building Lasting Opportunities for Community K–12 Act, proposes a significant overhaul of federal education funds by repealing certain formula grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Instead of continuing these grants, the bill seeks to allocate funds to states in the form of block grants. This new funding structure is set to commence in fiscal year 2026, allowing states to receive an amount equivalent to what they received under the repealed provisions in fiscal year 2025.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding HB 847, particularly regarding the potential ramifications for local educational agencies. Critics argue that repealing formula grants, which are often designed to target specific needs such as support for disadvantaged students or English language learners, may undermine the goal of ensuring equitable education. By moving to a block grant system, there is concern that essential programs may lose funding or be deprioritized, especially in states that may not prioritize certain educational areas as strongly as others.

Congress_id

119-HR-847

Policy_area

Education

Introduced_date

2025-01-31

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB202

States' Education Reclamation Act of 2023 This bill abolishes the Department of Education (ED) and repeals any program for which it has administrative responsibility. The Department of the Treasury shall provide grants to states, for FY2023-FY2031, for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education purposes permitted by state law. The level of funding is set at the amount provided to states for federal elementary and secondary education programs and the amount provided for federal postsecondary education programs, respectively, for FY2023, minus the funding provided for education programs that the bill transfers to other federal agencies. States must contract for an annual audit of their expenditures or transfers of grant funds. Program administrative responsibility and delegation of authority are transferred as follows: ED's job training programs to the Department of Labor, each special education grant program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ED's Indian education programs to the Department of the Interior, each Impact Aid program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to the Department of Defense, the Federal Pell Grant program and each federal student loan program to Treasury, and programs under the jurisdiction of the Institute of Education Sciences or the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program to HHS.

US SB515

"Quality Basic Education Act"; grants for educational programs; provisions relative to the teacher recruitment and retention tax credit program; revise

US S2237

Revises eligibility for Educational Opportunity Fund grants and campus-based Educational Opportunity Fund programs.

US A4298

Revises eligibility for Educational Opportunity Fund grants and campus-based Educational Opportunity Fund programs.

US HB221

Professional Pell Education Learning Act or the PROPEL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by allowing students to use these grants for enrollment in educational programs that consist of vocational or technical training, flight training, apprenticeship, or other on-job training. In addition, the bill expands institutional eligibility under the Federal Pell Grant program, including by allowing these vocational and training programs to be unaccredited.

US SB1751

To appropriate money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the State Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the several divisions and programs thereof

US HB66

Native American Education Opportunity Act This bill addresses education savings account programs and charter schools for tribal students. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior, at the request of federally recognized Indian tribes, to provide funds to tribes for tribal-based education savings account programs. Tribes must use these funds to award grants to education savings accounts for students who (1) attended or will be eligible to attend a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE); or (2) will not be attending a school operated by the BIE, receiving an education savings account from another tribe, or attending public elementary or secondary school while participating in the program. Funds may be used for items and activities such as costs of attendance at private schools, private tutoring and online learning programs, textbooks, educational software, or examination fees. The Government Accountability Office must review the implementation of these education savings account programs, including any factors impacting increased participation in such programs. Additionally, the bill authorizes the BIE to approve and fund charter schools at any school that it operates or funds.

US SB377

Students Helping Young Students Act of 2025This bill expands the Federal Work-Study Program to include work-study programs at institutions of higher education that compensate students who are employed in educational after-school, before-school, or nonschool community service activities at public elementary and secondary schools.

US SB359

An Act For The Department Of Education - Division Of Elementary And Secondary Education Out-of-school Time Program Grants Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

US SB2180

Charter school teachers; limit exemption from educational qualifications to programs not receiving grants from MDE.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.