119-hr3250

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3250 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 3250

 To create a grant program to support the development of innovative 
 learning models, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 May 7, 2025

 Mr. Morelle introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To create a grant program to support the development of innovative 
 learning models, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Developing and Advancing Innovative 
Learning Models''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

 The purposes of this Act are to--

    (1) ensure that the Institute for Education Sciences--
        (A) supports the sustained development to expand 
 knowledge and understanding of innovative learning 
 models;
        (B) promotes the adoption and continued growth of 
 innovative learning models;
            (C) studies and conducts research on the impact of 
 innovative learning models;
            (D) collects, reports, analyzes, and disseminates 
 data related to innovative learning model development, 
 research, and implementation in the United States; and
        (E) identifies and makes recommendations concerning 
 Federal and State policies that may present barriers to 
 the adoption and successful implementation of 
 innovative learning models;

    (2) invest in the development of innovative learning models 
 and in the organizational capacity of innovative learning model 
 providers; and

    (3) support the adoption of innovative learning models by 
 States, local school districts, schools, and school 
 communities.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

 For the purposes of this Act:

    (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
 Department of Education.

    (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
 the Institute of Education Sciences.

    (3) ESEA terms.--The terms ``elementary school'', ``high 
 school'', ``local educational agency'', ``outlying area'', 
 ``poverty line'', ``secondary school'', ``State'', and ``State 
 educational agency'' have the meanings given such terms in 
 

section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

    (4) Evidence-based.--The term ``evidence-based'', when used 
 with respect to an innovative learning model, means an 
 innovative learning model that--
        (A) demonstrates a statistically significant effect 
 on improving student outcomes or other relevant 
 outcomes based on--
            (i) strong evidence from at least 1 well-
 designed and well-implemented experimental 
 study;
            (ii) moderate evidence from at least 1 
 well-designed and well-implemented quasi-
 experimental study; or
            (iii) promising evidence from at least 1 
 well-designed and well-implemented 
 correlational study with statistical controls 
 for selection bias;
        (B) demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality 
 research findings or positive evaluation that such 
 innovative learning model--
            (i) is likely to improve student outcomes 
 or other relevant outcomes; and
            (ii) includes ongoing efforts to examine 
 the effects of such innovative learning model; 
 or
            (C) is consistent with theoretical and empirical 
 findings from research and will continue to be 
 reviewed.

    (5) Innovative learning model.--The term ``innovative 
 learning model'' means a comprehensive program which elementary 
 schools, secondary schools, and high schools can adopt that--
        (A) bundles together an interconnected set of 
 tools, resources, systems, and instructional practices 
 in order to shape student learning experiences toward 
 clear objectives;
        (B) integrates and includes--
            (i) an instructional design that 
 incorporates components such as content, 
 assessment, research, and student engagement;
            (ii) an aligned set of pedagogical 
 practices that is sustainable for teachers;
            (iii) an operational design that reimagines 
 teacher workflow, the use of time, and 
 classroom design; and
            (iv) a technological design that includes 
 the use of student-level data and relevant 
 technological tools;
            (C) is not simply a technological platform or point 
 solutions;
            (D) comprehensively integrates the concepts 
 identified in subparagraph
        (B) ;
        (E) is created and implemented with input from 
 school communities; and
        (F) may be designed as a model for the operation of 
 an entire school or focus on a specific academic 
 subject or function, such as social-emotional support.

    (6) Innovative learning model provider.--The term 
 ``innovative learning model provider'' means an organization 
 that--
        (A) designs innovative learning models; and
        (B) partners with schools and school communities to 
 support the implementation of such models (directly or 
 in collaboration with a third party), while sharing 
 accountability for student outcomes as measured by the 
 State in accordance with 

section 1111
            (c) of the 
 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
 U.S.C. 6331
            (c) ).

 TITLE I--INVESTING IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH OF INNOVATIVE 
 LEARNING MODELS

SEC. 101. PURPOSE.

 The purpose of this title is to authorize a program of competitive 
grants that enable eligible entities to support the development and 
research of innovative learning models.

SEC. 102. GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE LEARNING MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND 
 RESEARCH.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--

    (1) Development grants.--
        (A) In general.--From the amount reserved by the 
 Director under 

section 104
            (c) (1) , the Director shall 
 award, on a competitive basis, grants to eligible 
 entities having applications approved under subsection
            (c) to enable such entities to create, develop, 
 implement, replicate, or take to scale entrepreneurial 
 and evidence-based innovative learning models to 
 improve student outcomes.
        (B) Description of grants.--The grants described in 
 subparagraph
        (A) shall include--
            (i) early-phase grants to fund the 
 development, implementation, and feasibility 
 testing of an innovative learning model, which 
 prior research, including research conducted 
 under paragraph

    (1) , suggests has promise, for 
 the purpose of determining whether the 
 innovative learning model can successfully 
 improve student achievement or attainment when 
 successfully implemented with fidelity;
            (ii) mid-phase grants to fund 
 implementation and a rigorous evaluation of an 
 innovative learning model that has been 
 successfully implemented under an early-phase 
 grant described in clause
            (i) or other effort 
 meeting similar criteria, for the purpose of 
 measuring the model's impact and cost 
 effectiveness, if possible, using existing 
 administrative data; and
            (iii) expansion grants to fund 
 implementation and a rigorous replication 
 evaluation of an innovative learning model that 
 has been found to produce sizable, important 
 impacts under a mid-phase grant described in 
 clause
            (ii) or other effort meeting similar 
 criteria, for the purposes of--
            (I) determining whether such 
 impacts can be successfully reproduced 
 and sustained over time; and
            (II) identifying the conditions, 
 including subgroups of students (as 
 described in 

section 1111
            (c) of the 
 Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
 of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), in which the 
 program is most effective.

    (2) Research grants.--From the amount reserved under 
 

section 104
            (c) (2) , the Director shall award, on a competitive 
 basis, grants to eligible entities to--
        (A) conduct high-quality research on existing 
 innovative learning models; or
        (B) evaluate innovative learning models developed 
 with grants awarded under paragraph

    (1) .

    (3) Priority.--In awarding development grants under this 
 section, the Director shall prioritize eligible entities that 
 propose early-phase projects under paragraph

    (1)
        (B)
            (i) .

    (4) Standards.--The Director shall ensure that activities 
 supported with grants under this section--
        (A) conform to high standards of quality, 
 integrity, accuracy, validity, and reliability;
        (B) maintain data privacy and security in a manner 
 that is consistent with any relevant Federal law 
 relating to privacy or data security; and
            (C) are objective, secular, neutral and 
 nonideological, and are free of partisan political 
 influence or any implicit or explicit bias.

    (5) Sufficient size and scope.--Each grant awarded under 
 this section shall be of sufficient size and scope for the 
 eligible entity to carry out the activities required for such 
 grant.

    (6) Duration.--Grants under this title may be awarded for 
 not more than 6 years.

    (b) Eligible Entity.--In this title, the term eligible entity means 
an innovative learning model provider, as defined in 

section 3.
            (c) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
title, an eligible entity shall submit to the Director an application 
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Director may reasonably require.
            (d) Peer Review.--The Director shall--

    (1) implement a peer review process to assist the Director 
 in the review of applications under this title and to make 
 recommendations to the Director on awarding grants under this 
 title;

    (2) develop and maintain published peer review standards 
 for the conduct and evaluation of all development and research 
 carried out under this title; and

    (3) ensure that the peer-review teams consist of 
 practitioners and experts who are knowledgeable about 
 innovative learning models, including--
        (A) individuals with experience researching and 
 developing innovative learning models for all types of 
 students, including English learners, children with 
 disabilities, and disadvantaged students; and
        (B) individuals with experience implementing 
 innovative learning models.

    (e) Training Program.--From funds otherwise reserved for technical 
assistance under this title, the Director may establish a program to 
train employees of public and private educational agencies, 
organizations, and institutions, and may establish a fellowship program 
to appoint such employees as temporary fellows that may assist in 
carrying out this section.

    (f) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided under this 
title shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal or State 
funds made available to carry out activities described in this title.

    (g) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, nothing in this title shall be construed as requiring an eligible 
entity who is awarded a grant under subsection

    (a) to measure or 
evaluate the impact or success of an innovative learning model through 
the use of a randomized control trial.

SEC. 103. REPORTING AND EVALUATION.

    (a) Activities Summary.--Not later than two years after the date 
that an eligible entity receives a grant under this title, and on an 
annual basis thereafter, the eligible entity shall submit to the 
Director a summary of the activities assisted under the grant.

    (b) Report.--The Director shall provide to Congress, and make 
publicly available, an annual report on the implementation of the 
program carried out under this title, including--

    (1) information on eligible entities that received grant 
 funds under this title, including--
        (A) information provided by eligible entities to 
 the Director in the applications submitted under 
 

section 103
            (c) ;
        (B) the summaries received under subsection

    (a) ; 
 and
            (C) grant award amounts;

    (2) student outcomes and other relevant impacts on 
 students, including comprehensive learning growth, from schools 
 that implement an innovative learning model that was developed 
 or implemented under this title; or

    (3) information and recommendations concerning any Federal 
 policies that have been identified as presenting barriers to 
 the adoption and implementation of innovative learning models.
            (c) Evaluation.--From amounts reserved by the Director under 

section 104

    (b)

    (1) , the Director shall--

    (1) carry out an independent evaluation to measure the 
 effectiveness of the program assisted under this title; and

    (2) make the results of such evaluation publicly available.
            (d) Availability.--The reports and evaluation provided under 
subsections

    (b) and
            (c) shall be made readily available to the public.

    (e) Privacy Protections.--The reports and evaluation provided under 
subsections

    (b) and
            (c) shall not reveal personally identifiable 
information about any individual.

SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out this title in each of the fiscal years 
2026 through 2035.

    (b) Reservations.--From the amounts appropriated under subsection

    (a) for such fiscal year, the Director may reserve--

    (1) not more than 1 percent to conduct the evaluation 
 required under 

section 204
            (c) ; and

    (2) not more than 1 percent to--
        (A) provide technical assistance for eligible 
 entities, which may include pre-application workshops, 
 web-based seminars, and evaluation support; and
        (B) disseminate best practices concerning the 
 successful development and implementation of innovative 
 learning models.
            (c) Funding Allotment.--From the amount made available under 
subsection

    (a) and not reserved under subsection

    (b) for a fiscal year, 
the Director shall--

    (1) reserve not less than 93 percent to award grants to 
 eligible entities under 

section 103

    (a)

    (1) ; and

    (2) reserve not less than 5 percent to award grants to 
 eligible entities under 

section 103

    (a)

    (2) .

TITLE II--INVESTING IN THE EARLY ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE LEARNING MODELS

SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

 The purpose of this title is to provide grants to State educational 
agencies and to provide subgrants to local educational agencies to 
increase the adoption and expansion of innovative learning models in 
elementary and secondary schools.

SEC. 202. FORMULA GRANTS TO STATES.

    (a) Reservation of Funds.--From the total amount appropriated under 

section 205 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--

    (1) one-half of 1 percent for allotments for the outlying 
 areas, to be distributed among those outlying areas on the 
 basis of their relative need, as determined by the Secretary, 
 in accordance with the purpose of this title; and

    (2) one-half of 1 percent for the Secretary of the Interior 
 for programs under this part in schools operated or funded by 
 the Bureau of Indian Education.

    (b) State Allotments.--

    (1) In general.--From funds made available under 

section 205 for a fiscal year and not reserved under subsection

    (a) , 
 the Secretary shall allot to each State the sum of--
        (A) an amount that bears the same relationship to 
 20 percent of such funds for such fiscal year as the 
 number of individuals aged 5 through 17 in the State, 
 as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most 
 recent satisfactory data, bears to the number of such 
 individuals in all such States, as so determined; and
        (B) an amount that bears the same relationship to 
 80 percent of such funds for such fiscal year as the 
 number of individuals aged 5 through 17 from families 
 with incomes below the poverty line in the State, as 
 determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most 
 recent satisfactory data, bears to the number of such 
 individuals in all such States, as so determined.

    (2) Exception.--No State receiving an allotment under 
 paragraph

    (1) may receive less than one-half of 1 percent of 
 the total amount appropriated under 205 after the reservations 
 under paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) of subsection

    (a) for a fiscal 
 year.

    (3) Ratable reduction.--If the funds described in paragraph

    (1) are insufficient to pay the full amounts that all States 
 are eligible to receive under paragraph

    (1) for any fiscal 
 year, the Secretary shall ratably reduce such amounts for such 
 fiscal year.

    (4) Reallotment.--If a State does not receive an allotment, 
 the Secretary shall reallot the amount of the allotment for 
 such State to the remaining States in accordance with this 
 subsection.
            (c) State Plan.--

    (1) In general.--In order to receive an allotment under 
 this section for any fiscal year, a State shall submit a plan 
 to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the 
 Secretary may reasonably require.

    (2) Contents.--Each plan described under paragraph

    (1) shall include, at a minimum, the following:
        (A) A description of how the State educational 
 agency will use funds received under this title for 
 State-level activities.
        (B) A description of how the activities carried out 
 with funds under this title are expected to improve 
 student achievement.
            (C) A description of how the State educational 
 agency will work with local educational agencies and 
 the communities of such agencies to develop, adopt, and 
 implement innovative learning models.
            (D) Assurances that the State educational agency 
 will--
            (i) review existing resources and programs 
 across the State and coordinate any new plans 
 and resources under this title with such 
 resources and programs;
            (ii) monitor the implementation of 
 activities under this title and provide 
 technical assistance to local educational 
 agencies in carrying out such activities; and
            (iii) provide for equitable access for all 
 students to the activities supported under this 
 title, including compliance with the 
 requirements of all applicable Federal civil 
 rights laws.
            (d) State Use of Funds.--

    (1) In general.--Except as provided under paragraph

    (3) , a 
 State that receives an allotment under subsection

    (b) for a 
 fiscal year shall reserve not less than 95 percent of such 
 allotment to make subgrants to local educational agencies for 
 such fiscal year, as described in 

section 203.

    (2) State administration.--A State educational agency may 
 use not more than 1 percent of the amount allotted to such 
 State under subsection

    (b) for the administrative costs of 
 carrying out such State educational agency's responsibilities 
 under this title.

    (3) State activities.--The State educational agency for a 
 State that receives an allotment under subsection

    (b) may use 
 funds not reserved under paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) for activities 
 and programs designed to meet the purposes of this title, which 
 may include--
        (A) providing monitoring of, and training, 
 technical assistance, and capacity building to, local 
 educational agencies that receive subgrants under 
 

section 203;
        (B) identifying and eliminating State barriers to 
 the development, implementation, and adoption of 
 innovative learning models by local educational 
 agencies and schools; and
            (C) supporting local educational agencies in 
 adopting and implementing innovative learning models in 
 schools.

    (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to authorize the Secretary or any other officer or employee 
of the Federal Government to--

    (1) mandate, direct, or control the development, adoption, 
 or implementation of any learning model by any State, local 
 educational agency, or school; or

    (2) influence or incentivize the receipt of any grant, 
 contract, or cooperative agreement the receipt of any priority 
 or preference under such grant, contract, or cooperative 
 agreement upon a State, local educational agency, or school's 
 adoption or implementation of any specific learning model, 
 instructional content, curricula, or any program of 
 instruction.

    (f) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided under this 
section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal or 
State funds made available to carry out activities related to the 
activities described in this section.

SEC. 203. SUBGRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.

    (a) Allocation of Funds to Local Educational Agencies.--

    (1) Allocation formula.--From funds reserved by a State 
 under 

section 202
            (d) (1) for a fiscal year, the State 
 educational agency shall allot to each of the eligible local 
 educational agencies in the State for a fiscal year the sum 
 of--
        (A) an amount that bears the same relationship to 
 20 percent of such funds for such fiscal year as the 
 number of individuals aged 5 through 17 in the 
 geographic area served by the local educational agency, 
 as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most 
 recent satisfactory data, bears to the number of such 
 individuals in the geographic areas served by all 
 eligible local educational agencies in the State, as so 
 determined; and
        (B) an amount that bears the same relationship to 
 80 percent of such funds for such fiscal year as the 
 number of individuals aged 5 through 17 from families 
 with incomes below the poverty line in the geographic 
 area served by the local educational agency, as 
 determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most 
 recent satisfactory data, bears to the number of such 
 individuals in the geographic areas served by all 
 eligible local educational agencies in the State, as so 
 determined.

    (2) Minimum local educational agency allocation.--No 
 allocation to a local educational agency under this subsection 
 may be made in an amount that is less than $10,000.

    (3) Ratable reduction.--If the amount reserved by the State 
 under 

section 202
            (d) (1) is insufficient to make allocations to 
 local educational agencies in an amount equal to the minimum 
 allocation described in subsection

    (a)

    (3) , such allocations 
 shall be ratably reduced.

    (4) Administrative costs.--From the amount allotted under 
 paragraph

    (1) , a local educational agency may reserve not more 
 than 1 percent of such amount for the direct administrative 
 costs of carrying out the local educational agency's 
 responsibilities under this section.

    (b) Local Applications.--

    (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive an allotment 
 under this subsection

    (a) , a local educational agency shall 
 submit an application to the State educational agency at such 
 time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
 State educational agency may reasonably require.

    (2) Contents of application.--Each application submitted 
 under paragraph

    (1) shall include--
        (A) a description of the activities to be carried 
 out by the local educational agency under this section;
        (B) a description of how the local educational 
 agency will prioritize funds to schools served by the 
 agency that are implementing comprehensive support and 
 improvement activities and targeted support and 
 improvement activities under 

section 1111
            (d) of the 
 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
 U.S.C. 6311
            (d) );
            (C) a description of how the local educational 
 agency will use data and ongoing consultation with 
 experts and stakeholders to continually update and 
 improve activities supported under this section;
            (D) a description of how the local educational 
 agency will meaningfully collaborate with teachers, 
 principals, other school leaders, paraprofessionals 
 (including organizations representing such 
 individuals), and other relevant stakeholders in school 
 communities; and
        (E) any other information that the State 
 educational agency may require.
            (c) Local Uses of Funds.--

    (1) In general.--A local educational agency that receives 
 an allotment under subsection

    (a) shall develop, implement, 
 select, and evaluate innovative learning models in schools 
 served by such agency, which may be carried out--
        (A) through a grant or contract with a for-profit 
 or non-profit entity; or
        (B) in partnership with an institution of higher 
 education or an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization (as 
 such terms are defined under 

section 4 of the Indian 
 Self 7 Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
 U.S.C. 450b)).

    (2) Types of activities.--The innovative learning models 
 developed and implemented under this section shall be in 
 accordance with the purpose of this title and shall address the 
 learning needs of all students, including children with 
 disabilities, English learners, gifted and talented students, 
 and students who are otherwise at-risk.
            (d) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided under this 
section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal or 
State funds available to carry out activities related to the activities 
described in this section.

SEC. 204. REPORTING AND EVALUATION.

    (a) State and Local Reports.--

    (1) State report.--Each State educational agency receiving 
 funds under this title shall annually submit to the Secretary a 
 report that provides--
        (A) a description of how the State is using grant 
 funds to meet the purpose of this title; and
        (B) any other information that the Secretary 
 determines are necessary and appropriate.

    (2) Local educational agency report.--Each local 
 educational agency receiving funds under this part shall 
 annually submit to the appropriate State educational agency 
 such information as the State may require, which shall include 
 how the local educational agency is using grant funds to meet 
 the purposes of this title.

    (3) Availability.--The reports and information provided 
 under paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) shall be made readily available to 
 the public.

    (4) Privacy protection.--The reports and evaluation 
 provided under subsections

    (b) and
            (c) shall not reveal 
 personally identifiable information about any individual.

    (b) Secretary's Report.--The Secretary shall provide to Congress an 
annual report on the implementation of the program carried out under 
this title, including--

    (1) information provided by States to the Secretary in the 
 applications submitted under 

section 204

    (1) ;

    (2) the amount allotted to each State and outlying area; 
 and

    (3) student academic and, as applicable, growth data from 
 the schools participating in the programs supported under this 
 title.
            (c) Evaluation and Technical Assistance.--

    (1) Reservation of funds.--Of the total amount made 
 available for this title for a fiscal year, the Secretary may 
 reserve for such fiscal year not more than 1 percent for the 
 cost of the evaluation under paragraph

    (2) and for technical 
 assistance in carrying out this title.

    (2) Evaluation.--
        (A) In general.--From amounts reserved under 
 paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary, acting through the 
 Director, shall carry out an independent evaluation to 
 measure the effectiveness of the program assisted under 
 this title.
        (B) Contents.--The evaluation under subparagraph
        (A) shall measure--
            (i) the effectiveness of each program 
 assisted under this title in improving student 
 academic achievement and growth;
            (ii) the effectiveness of individual 
 learning models in improving student academic 
 achievement and growth; and
            (iii) any other information that the 
 Director may require.

SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 For the purposes of carrying out this title, there are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this 
title in each fiscal years 2027 through 2036.
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