Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4504
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T15:58:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 (S. 4504)
Purpose
This legislation amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to expand and strengthen the full-service community school program. It aims to support schools in providing integrated services that address students' academic, social, emotional, physical, and mental health needs through partnerships with families, communities, and service providers.
Key Provisions
- Funding Increases: Authorizes appropriations for the full-service community school program rising from $500 million in fiscal year 2027 to $1 billion in fiscal year 2031.
- New Definitions and Structures: Introduces terms such as "community school coordinator" (full-time staff focused on coordination and implementation), "pillars of community schools" (six key practices including integrated supports, expanded learning time, family engagement, collaborative leadership, rigorous instruction, and a culture of belonging), "results framework" (annual goals for student outcomes), and leadership teams at school and community levels.
- Grant Programs:
- Planning and capacity-building grants (up to 2 years, minimum $100,000 per school) for needs assessments and planning.
- Implementation grants (5 years, minimum $250,000 per school annually) to establish full-service community schools.
- Expansion grants (3–5 years) for scaling existing programs.
- State grants (5 years) to support planning, implementation, and expansion statewide, with at least 90% of funds directed to local efforts.
- Dedicated provisions for Bureau of Indian Education and tribally controlled schools, with possible waivers for flexibility.
- Requirements: Grantees must conduct needs assessments, establish transparent leadership teams open to the public, share data, ensure non-discrimination (including on race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, age, or disability), and report on outcomes aligned with a results framework covering school readiness, health, achievement, and community engagement.
- Technical Assistance: Allocates up to 5% of funds for national support, including meetings, resource distribution, and a potential technical assistance center.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Separates and expands the full-service community school program from other initiatives under Section 4601, with dedicated funding.
- Adds detailed requirements for collaborative leadership, public transparency in school governance, and integration of services like health care, housing support, and restorative practices.
- Introduces new grant tiers (planning, expansion, state-level) and performance metrics not previously specified in this section.
- Updates eligible school criteria to include those with at least 40% free or reduced-price lunch eligibility or identified for support under accountability provisions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Department of Education in awarding competitive grants, providing technical assistance, and evaluating programs; states gain roles in coordination and subgranting.
- On Citizens: Students and families in high-poverty or high-need schools may gain access to additional supports such as mental health services, after-school programs, and family engagement activities; emphasizes equity for disadvantaged groups.
- On International Relations: No direct provisions or impacts identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local educational agencies and public elementary/secondary schools.
- Students, parents, families, and caregivers.
- Community-based organizations, nonprofits, health providers, and local businesses.
- Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian entities.
- Educators, school leaders, and state educational agencies.
- Federal agencies, particularly the Department of Education and Department of the Interior.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill reinforces non-discrimination protections and public access to school decision-making processes, which may promote transparency and inclusion. It focuses on evidence-based practices and continuous improvement without altering core constitutional structures related to education, which remains primarily a state and local function. No major political or legal conflicts are outlined in the text itself.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (14)
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (89 pages)