Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8752
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-19T05:23:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 aims to expand and strengthen the full-service community school program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It provides increased funding, new definitions, structured grant processes, and requirements for schools to integrate academic support with health, social, and community services.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Authorization of Appropriations: Allocates $500 million for fiscal year 2027, increasing annually to $1 billion by fiscal year 2031, specifically for full-service community schools.
- New Definitions: Introduces terms such as "community school coordinator," "community school initiative director," "community-wide leadership team," "school-based leadership team," "pillars of community schools," "results framework," and "educator learning communities."
- Pillars of Community Schools: Requires programs to address six areas—integrated student supports (e.g., health and mental health services), expanded learning time, family and community engagement, collaborative leadership, rigorous community-connected instruction, and a culture of belonging, safety, and care.
- Grant Types:
- Planning and capacity-building grants (up to 2 years, minimum $100,000).
- 5-year implementation grants (minimum $250,000 per school per year).
- Expansion grants (3–5 years, minimum $300,000 per year plus additional per school).
- State-level grants (up to 5 years) for planning, subgrants, and support.
- Special provisions for Bureau of Indian Education and tribally controlled schools.
- Eligibility and Requirements: Targets schools with at least 40% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch or identified for support under existing law. Mandates needs assessments, leadership teams, data-sharing agreements, public meetings, and annual reports.
- Technical Assistance: Reserves up to 5% of funds for national and regional support, including a potential technical assistance center.
- Reporting: Requires grantees and the Secretary to submit detailed reports on outcomes, cost savings, and program impact.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Rewrites Section 4625 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a comprehensive full-service community school framework, separating it from Promise Neighborhoods funding.
- Adds detailed requirements for leadership structures, results frameworks, and the six pillars of community schools.
- Introduces new grant categories (planning, expansion, state grants) and priority for high-need, rural, and Tribal areas.
- Establishes conforming amendments to clarify funding streams and remove prior overlaps between community school and Promise Neighborhoods activities.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Department of Education in grant administration, technical assistance, and reporting; may require coordination with State educational agencies and local partners.
- Citizens: Expands access to integrated services (health, nutrition, housing support, after-school programs) for students and families in eligible schools, potentially improving academic outcomes, school climate, and community engagement.
- International Relations: No direct impacts identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local educational agencies and eligible public schools.
- Students, parents, families, and community members.
- Community-based organizations, nonprofits, health providers, and service partners.
- State educational agencies and Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations.
- Educators, school leaders, and staff involved in leadership teams.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Emphasizes nondiscrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, or disability.
- Requires public access to leadership meetings and financial records.
- Includes provisions for data sharing while referencing existing privacy laws (e.g., FERPA).
- No explicit constitutional challenges or major political provisions are outlined in the text; focus remains on program expansion and equity in resource allocation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (89 pages)