Warren, Hayes Renew Fight to Tackle Inequities in Public Schools, Ensure Every Student Receives High-Quality Education

Warren, Hayes Renew Fight to Tackle Inequities in Public Schools, Ensure Every Student Receives High-Quality Education

Text of Bill (PDF)

Washington, D.C. - Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act, a bill to create a $100 billion application-based education grant program to accelerate students' academic progress and address social, emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs, including but not limited to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public schools across the nation have long lacked sufficient funding and resources to provide all students with a high-quality public education. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these pre-existing opportunity and achievement gaps for students in low-income communities and communities of color.

"Our government is failing students, especially those in low-income communities and communities of color, by refusing to invest in closing education gaps worsened by COVID," said Senator Warren. "Our bill takes a massive step toward bridging these gaps and making sure every kid in this country receives a high quality education."

"Almost 6 years later, while many parts of our country have recovered from the COVID 19 pandemic, we still see lasting impacts on our students," said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. "In Connecticut students are still facing chronic absenteeism, lower reading scores, and increased mental health challenges. The Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2026 is a comprehensive piece of legislation to address the lasting impacts of the pandemic and truly invest in equitable access to education."

The Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act creates a $100 billion application-based grant program administered by the Department of Education over the next ten years. States, school districts, nonprofits in partnership with school districts, and the Bureau of Indian Education can apply for grants for one of two purposes:

• Implement Evidence-Based Strategies: 75% of funds are reserved for grantees to adopt programs that meet a high bar of evidence, which may include supporting social-emotional learning, implementing culturally and linguistically responsive practices, extending instructional time, and implementing high-quality individual or small-group tutoring.

• Support Field- and Educator-Initiated Innovations: 25% of funds are reserved for grantees to develop or replicate new ideas and strategies designed by educators in the field to accelerate academic progress and address social, emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs, including those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Grantees must include an independent evaluation for efficacy.

The bill also reserves funds for Bureau of Indian Education, rural areas, and applicants serving low-income students. The grant program also gives priority to applicants serving disproportionately higher percentages of high-need students, including low-income students, students of color and Native American students, homeless students, migrant students, students in foster care, English learners, students with disabilities, and students most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Senate, Senators Blumenthal, Markey, and Murphy joined as original cosponsors.

This legislation is endorsed by Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs; American Federation of Teachers (AFT); American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Massachusetts; Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN); Boston Teachers Union (BTU); Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL); Committee for Children; Connecticut Association of Schools; Connecticut Education Association (CEA); EdTrust; Healthy Schools Campaign; Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs; National Education Association (NEA), and Peekapak.

"The Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act represents a critical investment in both academic recovery and the whole-child supports our students need to succeed. School leaders welcome this opportunity to expand evidence-based strategies and innovative practices that will help close persistent gaps and ensure every student has access to a high-quality, equitable education. We are grateful to Congresswoman Hayes and Senator Warren for reintroducing this important legislation," said Dr. Glenn Lungarini, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Schools.

"Healthy Schools Campaign proudly supports the Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act, which would fund evidence-based school programs to advance the health and learning of students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. While ESSER funds helped districts address learning loss and mental health challenges, continued federal investment is essential to ensure all students can learn and thrive," said Jennifer Tani, President and CEO, Healthy Schools Campaign.

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