Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2024

The Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2024 establishes a federal grant program to fund evidence-based and educator-designed initiatives addressing academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health inequities in schools, particularly those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants target eligible entities like school districts, nonprofits, and tribal agencies to implement proven strategies (e.g., trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive curricula, extended learning time) or evaluate new approaches, with 75% of funds reserved for evidence-based proposals and 25% for field-initiated projects. The bill mandates that at least 50% of funds serve schools where 20%+ of students live in poverty and 25% support rural communities, requiring detailed reporting on outcomes by student group. It authorizes $15 billion annually for fiscal years 2025-2027 to support these efforts, with funds distributed through competitive applications requiring community input and outcome measurement.