Bill · S. 1795· Senate(119-S-1795)
Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act
- Introduced
- 5/15/2025
- Last activity
- 5/15/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act," aims to modify the grant program for high-quality charter schools. It changes how funds are used to provide technical assistance and support to chartering agencies and applicants. The legislation introduces pre-charter planning subgrants for school developers led by experienced educators. It also adjusts various percentages regarding how funds are allocated and reserved. Finally, it updates several technical references within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one?+6
The bill empowers educator-led developers to establish new charter schools through specialized planning subgrants.
Would students be better off under this?+5
New charter schools and increased technical assistance may improve educational quality for students.
Does this put more money into public schools?+5
The bill provides new subgrants for pre-charter planning and technical assistance for charter schools.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Charter School Developers: The bill allows for the creation of pre-charter planning subgrants of up to $100,000 to help developers plan for new schools (Section 2, subsection (b)(3)).
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Empowerment of Experienced Educators: These planning subgrants are directed toward developers led by educators who have at least 54 months of school-based experience and have shown leadership success (Section 2, subsection (b)(3)(B)).
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Improved Oversight and Assistance: The bill directs work with chartering agencies to improve the quality of authorizing, including fiscal oversight and auditing (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(B)).
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Financial and Facility Support: At the State entity's discretion, funds can be used for a revolving loan fund to cover expenses before reimbursement, and to help applicants find and access school facilities (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Changes to Fund Allocations: The bill alters specific percentage requirements for how funds are distributed, such as changing a requirement from 90 percent to 80 percent (Section 2, subsection (b)(3)(1)(A)).
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Shift in Percentage Caps: The bill modifies existing percentage thresholds, such as changing a "not less than 7 percent" requirement to a "not more than 10 percent" limit (Section 2, subsection (b)(3)(1)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+5Good For Children+3Good For Low Income Households+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves School Choice+6Increases Public School Funding+5
- 11/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/15/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana