Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
# Summary of H.R. 10208 — DIPLOMA Act
The DIPLOMA Act creates a federal grant program to improve student achievement and graduation rates by funding partnerships between schools and community organizations. The bill would establish two funding streams: a competitive grant program for local consortia when funding is under $200 million annually, and a formula-based allotment system for states when funding reaches $200 million or more. The legislation is based on research showing that community school models and integrated student services improve attendance, behavior, academic performance, and graduation rates, particularly in high-poverty areas.
States receiving allotments must establish a coordinating body and develop a comprehensive strategy with evidence-based goals across eight areas, including school readiness, student engagement, school safety, family involvement, postsecondary readiness, and reducing chronic absenteeism. States would pass funding to local consortia (comprised of school districts plus community partners) through subgrants to implement local strategies addressing academic, health, mental health, and social service needs. Grantees can fund activities ranging from tutoring and early childhood programs to mental health services, job training, family support, and community school coordinators.
The bill requires extensive accountability measures, including annual progress reporting toward established goals with outcomes disaggregated by student subgroups and family income. The Secretary of Education would conduct independent evaluations, and recipients that fail to show sufficient progress within three years must submit corrective action plans or risk losing funding. The legislation authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2025 through 2032, with 2 percent reserved for national activities and 1 percent for outlying areas and tribal schools.
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