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