New Federal Grant Program Targets School Segregation, Funding Local Plans to Boost Racial and Economic Diversity

The Strength in Diversity Act of 2025 is setting up a new competitive grant program run by the Department of Education, designed to help local and state school agencies tackle an old problem: schools that are racially or economically isolated. Essentially, this bill authorizes funding for districts to create and implement concrete, measurable plans to integrate their public schools—from preschool right up through high school. The goal is to fund strategies that reduce segregation and close achievement gaps simultaneously, starting in fiscal year 2025.

The New Money: Planning vs. Action

Think of this grant program as having two phases. First, there are planning grants (up to two years) for districts to figure out their local situation. This means doing a deep dive into student demographics, school facility locations, transportation logistics, and even teacher diversity. They must develop several options—like changing school boundaries, creating weighted lotteries, or coordinating with housing authorities—and then settle on a final implementation plan based on community input (Sec. 6(a)).

Second, there are implementation grants (up to three years, with a possible two-year extension) to actually put those plans into action. Districts can spend this money on things like hiring and training diverse staff, developing special academic programs to attract students from different areas, or creating innovative student assignment systems. If a district is making "significant headway" on their goals, they can apply to keep the funding flowing for longer (Sec. 4).

Real-World Impact: Who Gets a Seat at the Table?

If your local school district decides to apply for this money, get ready for public meetings. The bill mandates intense community and parent involvement. Before a district can finalize any diversity plan, they must hold public forums and consult with local groups, including housing and transportation authorities, and even local Indian Tribes if applicable (Sec. 5). This means parents aren't just being informed; they are required to participate in shaping the strategy.

For example, if you live near a high-performing school but can’t afford the local housing, your district might use grant funds to coordinate with the local housing authority and transportation department. The goal is to figure out how to get students like yours into that school, potentially through new busing routes or enrollment systems that prioritize diversity (Sec. 4). The catch here is that any transportation plan developed must be financially sustainable after the federal grant money runs out, which could leave districts on the hook for long-term costs (Sec. 6(c)).

The Fine Print: Metrics and Mandates

This isn't a blank check. To get the grant, districts must commit to rigorous performance measures (Sec. 7). They have to track progress on two fronts: improving academic outcomes for all students (especially low-income students and students of color) and measurably increasing racial and socioeconomic diversity. The annual reports must include all the raw data to back up their claims of progress.

State education agencies applying for the grant have an extra hurdle: they must show they have procedures in place to stop local school districts from redrawing boundary lines in a way that increases segregation. They also must prioritize funding for new school construction projects that promote integration (Sec. 5). This puts a direct check on decisions that might otherwise deepen existing isolation.

It’s important to note that while the federal government is providing the money and setting the rules for how to measure success, the bill explicitly prohibits the Department of Education from controlling local curriculum, instruction, or staffing decisions (Sec. 11). The power to decide how to integrate remains firmly with the local school board, provided they meet the grant’s strict application and performance requirements.