A PLUS Act

Increased Flexibility for Local Communities: States and local communities gain added flexibility to determine how to improve academic achievement and implement education reforms (Section 2, Purpose 1).

Reduced Administrative Burdens: The bill aims to reduce administrative costs and the compliance burden of Federal education programs so resources can focus on academic achievement (Section s 2, Purpose 2).

Improved Educational Opportunities: States are required to seek to advance educational opportunities for the disadvantaged (Section 4, c, 6).

Transparency for Parents and Taxpayers: The Act requires states to provide a plan for maintaining direct accountability to parents and citizens, including reporting student progress (Section 4, c, 7; Section 5, a).

Improved Local Funding Management: State educational agencies are directed to modify or eliminate barriers that prevent local agencies and schools from easily consolidating funds from various sources to improve educational opportunities (Section 4, b, 3).

Inclusion of Private School Participants: Private school children and teachers are provided for in the activities assisted under the declaration of intent (Section 7).

Exclusion of Disability Funding: Programs funded pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act may not be included in the scope of a state's declaration of intent (Section 4, b, 1).

Administrative Expense Limits: States operating under a declaration of intent are limited in how much they can spend on administrative expenses, capped at 1 percent of the aggregate Federal funds (unless Title I, Part A is excluded, in which case it is limited to 3 percent) (Section 6, a and b).