[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8319 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 8319

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 8, 2024

Mr. Morelle (for himself and Mr. Trone) introduced the following bill; 
   which was referred to the Committee on Education and the 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;
            (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 to carry 
out this title $570,000,000 in each of the fiscal years 2025 through 
2034.
    (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 purpose of carrying out this title, there are authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this title $180,000,000 in each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2035.
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