I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5620 
To provide for a Federal partnership to ensure educational equity and quality. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 15, 2020 
Mr. TRONE (for himself, Mr. RASKIN, and Mr. SARBANES) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 
A BILL 
To provide for a Federal partnership to ensure educational 
equity and quality. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Transformational Re-
forms and Updates to Ensure Educational Quality and 
Urgent Investments in Today’s Youth Act of 2020’’ or the 
‘‘TRUE EQUITY Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The fate of our Nation and the opportuni-
ties it creates for our children and grandchildren to 
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enjoy successful careers and rewarding lives depends 
on the quality, equal access, and effectiveness of pre- 
kindergarten through twelfth grade education in 
every local school district across the country. 
(2) Our education systems must prepare stu-
dents to compete in an interconnected, global econ-
omy. 
(3) Despite the current combinations of Fed-
eral, State, and local funding and innovative edu-
cational policies, States with historically well re-
garded kindergarten through grade 12 education 
systems may find their students falling behind their 
peers nationally and internationally. In Maryland, a 
State with a historically well regarded kindergarten 
through grade 12 education system, fourth and 
eighth graders placed in the middle of the pack na-
tionally in reading and math scores on the National 
Assessment of Education Progress. 
(4) The United States as a whole scored well 
down the second quartile among students from 72 
countries on the Programme for International Stu-
dent Assessment. 
(5) Even in States with reading and math 
scores higher than the national average, there may 
be significant and persistent racial, ethnic, and in-
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come disparity gaps between students of color and 
low-income students compared to their higher in-
come and White peers. 
(6) These same disparities carry into college en-
rollment, with fewer students of color and low-in-
come students enrolling in college than their higher 
income and White peers. 
(7) In order to address these inequities in edu-
cation, certain States, including Maryland, have re-
searched and proposed bold, transformative Federal, 
State, and local funding and policy changes to their 
pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade education 
systems, with five main policy recommendations 
under the Maryland Commission on Innovation & 
Excellence in Education that include the following: 
(A) Investing in high-quality early child-
hood education and care through a significant 
expansion of full day pre-school, to be free for 
all low-income three- and four-year-olds, so that 
all children have the opportunity to begin kin-
dergarten ready to learn. 
(B) Investing in teachers and school lead-
ers by elevating the standards and status of the 
teaching profession, including a performance- 
based career ladder and salaries comparable to 
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other fields with similar education require-
ments. 
(C) Creating a world-class instructional 
system with an internationally benchmarked 
curriculum that enables most students to 
achieve ‘‘college and career ready’’ status by 
10th grade and then pursue pathways that in-
clude 
early 
college, 
Advanced 
Placement 
courses, or a rigorous technical education lead-
ing to industry-recognized credentials and high 
paying jobs. 
(D) Providing supports to students that 
need it the most with broad and sustained sup-
port for schools serving high concentrations of 
poverty, with after school and summer academic 
programs and student access to needed health 
and social services. 
(E) Ensuring excellence for all through an 
accountability-oversight board that has the au-
thority to ensure transformative education sys-
tem recommendations are successfully imple-
mented and produce the desired improvements 
in student achievement. 
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
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(1) no matter a child’s zip code, they deserve 
equal access to a quality, public pre-kindergarten 
through twelfth grade education; 
(2) no inequities in student achievement, college 
enrollment, or Federal, State, and local funding 
should be tolerated; 
(3) the Federal Government should live up to 
its original commitment in 1975 under the Individ-
uals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1400 et seq.) to provide 40 percent of the cost to 
educate children with disabilities and assist State 
educational agencies and local educational agencies 
in providing a free appropriate public education; and 
(4) the Federal Government should be an active 
partner with State educational agencies and local 
educational agencies that are willing to modify poli-
cies and commit additional State and local resources 
to address education inequities. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘local educational agency’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
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(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Education. 
(3) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘State educational agency’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
TITLE I—EARLY CHILDHOOD 
EDUCATION 
SEC. 101. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GRANT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award a 
single grant, on a competitive basis, to an eligible 
State to enable the State to carry out the authorized 
activities described in subsection (c). 
(2) ELIGIBLE STATE.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible State’’ means a State— 
(A) that has established a State Oversight 
Board as described in section 501; and 
(B) that commits to educational equity. 
(3) DURATION; RENEWAL.—The grant awarded 
under this section shall be for a 2-year duration, and 
may be renewed by the Secretary for not more than 
4 additional 2-year periods if the State Oversight 
Board of the State determines that the State has 
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met the educational equity goals of the State, as de-
scribed in section 501. 
(4) MAINTENANCE
OF
EFFORT.—If the Sec-
retary does not renew a grant awarded under this 
section to a State for an additional 2-year period for 
failure to meet the educational equity goals of the 
State, the State shall provide, from non-Federal 
sources, amounts for such 2-year period that are not 
less than the sum of the grant amount provided by 
the Secretary and the matching funds provided by 
the State under subsection (d) for the initial 2-year 
grant period. 
(b) APPLICATION.—An eligible State that desires to 
receive a grant under this section shall submit an applica-
tion to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may 
require, including providing the State’s educational equity 
goals and the accountability consequences for the State 
and local educational agencies in the State if the State 
Oversight Board determines that the State or a local edu-
cational agency fails to meet the educational equity goals 
of the State, including the potential withholding of funds, 
as described in section 501. 
(c) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible State that re-
ceives a grant under this section shall use the grant 
funds to carry out activities authorized under the 
following provisions: 
(A) Section 619 and part C of the Individ-
uals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1419 and 1431 et seq.). 
(B) Paragraphs (1)(B)(i), (5)(A), and 
(5)(B) of section 640(a) of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9835(1)(B)(i), (5)(A), and (5)(B)). 
(C) Section 9212 of the Every Student 
Succeeds Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 note). 
(2) SUBGRANTS.—An eligible State that re-
ceives a grant under this section may use the grant 
funds to award subgrants to local educational agen-
cies to carry out the activities described in para-
graph (1). 
(3) COMPLIANCE WITH PROGRAMS.—In using 
grant funds provided under this section or subgrant 
funds provided under paragraph (2) to carry out the 
activities described in paragraph (1), the eligible 
State or local educational agency shall comply with 
the requirements of the programs under which such 
activities are authorized. 
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(d) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—Each eligible State 
that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from 
non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 200 percent of 
the amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash 
or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by the 
grant. 
(e) SUPPLEMENT, NOT
SUPPLANT.—An eligible 
State shall use Federal funds received under this section 
only to supplement the funds that would, in the absence 
of such Federal funds, be made available from State and 
local sources for activities described in subsection (c), and 
not to supplant such funds. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this sec-
tion— 
(1) $275,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
(2) $288,750,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
(3) $303,187,500 for fiscal year 2022; 
(4) $318,346,875 for fiscal year 2023; 
(5) $334,264,219 for fiscal year 2024; 
(6) $350,977,430 for fiscal year 2025; 
(7) $368,526,301 for fiscal year 2026; 
(8) $386,952,616 for fiscal year 2027; 
(9) $406,300,247 for fiscal year 2028; and 
(10) $426,615,259 for fiscal year 2029. 
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TITLE II—HIGH-QUALITY AND DI-
VERSE TEACHERS AND LEAD-
ERS 
SEC. 201. HIGH-QUALITY AND DIVERSE TEACHERS AND 
LEADERS GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award a 
single grant, on a competitive basis, to an eligible 
State to enable the State to carry out the authorized 
activities described in subsection (c). 
(2) ELIGIBLE STATE.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible State’’ means a State— 
(A) that has established a State Oversight 
Board as described in section 501; and 
(B) that commits to educational equity. 
(3) DURATION; RENEWAL.—The grant awarded 
under this section shall be for a 2-year duration, and 
may be renewed by the Secretary for not more than 
4 additional 2-year periods if the State Oversight 
Board of the State determines that the State has 
met the educational equity goals of the State, as de-
scribed in section 501. 
(4) MAINTENANCE
OF
EFFORT.—If the Sec-
retary does not renew a grant awarded under this 
section to a State for an additional 2-year period for 
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failure to meet the educational equity goals of the 
State, the State shall provide, from non-Federal 
sources, amounts for such 2-year period that are not 
less than the sum of the grant amount provided by 
the Secretary and the matching funds provided by 
the State under subsection (d) for the initial 2-year 
grant period. 
(b) APPLICATION.—An eligible State that desires to 
receive a grant under this section shall submit an applica-
tion to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may 
require, including providing the State’s educational equity 
goals and the accountability consequences for the State 
and local educational agencies in the State if the State 
Oversight Board determines that the State or a local edu-
cational agency fails to meet the educational equity goals 
of the State, including the potential withholding of funds, 
as described in section 501. 
(c) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible State that re-
ceives a grant under this section shall use the grant 
funds to carry out activities authorized under the 
following provisions: 
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(A) Section 2101 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
6611). 
(B) Subpart 1 of part B of title II of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6631 et seq.). 
(C) Sections 2242, 2243, and 2245 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672, 6673, and 6675). 
(D) Section 3131 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
6861). 
(E) Subparts 1 and 2 of part D of the In-
dividuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 1451 et seq. and 1461 et seq.). 
(2) SUBGRANTS.—An eligible State that re-
ceives a grant under this section may use the grant 
funds to award subgrants to local educational agen-
cies to carry out the activities described in para-
graph (1). 
(3) COMPLIANCE WITH PROGRAMS.—In using 
grant funds provided under this section or subgrant 
funds provided under paragraph (2) to carry out the 
activities described in paragraph (1), the eligible 
State or local educational agency shall comply with 
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the requirements of the programs under which such 
activities are authorized. 
(d) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—Each eligible State 
that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from 
non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 200 percent of 
the amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash 
or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by the 
grant. 
(e) SUPPLEMENT, NOT
SUPPLANT.—An eligible 
State shall use Federal funds received under this section 
only to supplement the funds that would, in the absence 
of such Federal funds, be made available from State and 
local sources for activities described in subsection (c), and 
not to supplant such funds. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this sec-
tion— 
(1) $340,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
(2) $357,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
(3) $374,850,000 for fiscal year 2022; 
(4) $393,592,500 for fiscal year 2023; 
(5) $413,272,125 for fiscal year 2024; 
(6) $433,935,731 for fiscal year 2025; 
(7) $455,632,518 for fiscal year 2026; 
(8) $478,414,144 for fiscal year 2027; 
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(9) $502,334,851 for fiscal year 2028; and 
(10) $527,451,594 for fiscal year 2029. 
TITLE III—COLLEGE AND 
CAREER READINESS PATHWAYS 
SEC. 301. COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PATHWAYS 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award a 
single grant, on a competitive basis, to an eligible 
State to enable the State to carry out the authorized 
activities described in subsection (c). 
(2) ELIGIBLE STATE.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible State’’ means a State— 
(A) that has established a State Oversight 
Board as described in section 501; and 
(B) that commits to educational equity. 
(3) DURATION; RENEWAL.—The grant awarded 
under this section shall be for a 2-year duration, and 
may be renewed by the Secretary for not more than 
4 additional 2-year periods if the State Oversight 
Board of the State determines that the State has 
met the educational equity goals of the State, as de-
scribed in section 501. 
(4) MAINTENANCE
OF
EFFORT.—If the Sec-
retary does not renew a grant awarded under this 
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section to a State for an additional 2-year period for 
failure to meet the educational equity goals of the 
State, the State shall provide, from non-Federal 
sources, amounts for such 2-year period that are not 
less than the sum of the grant amount provided by 
the Secretary and the matching funds provided by 
the State under subsection (d) for the initial 2-year 
grant period. 
(b) APPLICATION.—An eligible State that desires to 
receive a grant under this section shall submit an applica-
tion to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may 
require, including providing the State’s educational equity 
goals and the accountability consequences for the State 
and local educational agencies in the State if the State 
Oversight Board determines that the State or a local edu-
cational agency fails to meet the educational equity goals 
of the State, including the potential withholding of funds, 
as described in section 501. 
(c) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible State that re-
ceives a grant under this section shall use the grant 
funds to carry out activities authorized under the 
following provisions: 
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(A) Section 135 of the Carl D. Perkins Ca-
reer and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
U.S.C. 2355). 
(B) Subpart 11 of part A of title IV of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by 
section 302 of this Act. 
(2) SUBGRANTS.—An eligible State that re-
ceives a grant under this section may use the grant 
funds to award subgrants to local educational agen-
cies to carry out the activities described in para-
graph (1). 
(3) COMPLIANCE WITH PROGRAMS.—In using 
grant funds provided under this section or subgrant 
funds provided under paragraph (2) to carry out the 
activities described in paragraph (1), the eligible 
State or local educational agency shall comply with 
the requirements of the programs under which such 
activities are authorized. 
(d) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—Each eligible State 
that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from 
non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 200 percent of 
the amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash 
or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by the 
grant. 
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(e) SUPPLEMENT, NOT
SUPPLANT.—An eligible 
State shall use Federal funds received under this section 
only to supplement the funds that would, in the absence 
of such Federal funds, be made available from State and 
local sources for activities described in subsection (c), and 
not to supplant such funds. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this sec-
tion— 
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
(2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
(3) $55,125,000 for fiscal year 2022; 
(4) $57,881,250 for fiscal year 2023; 
(5) $60,775,312 for fiscal year 2024; 
(6) $63,814,077 for fiscal year 2025; 
(7) $67,004,780 for fiscal year 2026; 
(8) $70,355,019 for fiscal year 2027; 
(9) $73,872,770 for fiscal year 2028; and 
(10) $77,566,408 for fiscal year 2029. 
SEC. 302. JUMPSTART TO COLLEGE GRANT PROGRAMS. 
Part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
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‘‘Subpart 11—Jumpstart to College 
‘‘SEC. 420T. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this subpart: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible en-
tity’ means an institution of higher education in 
partnership with one or more local educational agen-
cies (which may be an educational service agency). 
Such partnership may also include other entities 
such as nonprofit organizations or businesses, and 
schools in juvenile detention centers. 
‘‘(2) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.— 
The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101. 
‘‘(3) ESEA TERMS.—The terms ‘dual or con-
current enrollment program’, ‘early college high 
school’, ‘educational service agency’, ‘four-year ad-
justed cohort graduation rate’, ‘local educational 
agency’, ‘secondary school’, and ‘State’ have mean-
ings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. 
‘‘(4) LOW-INCOME STUDENT.—The term ‘low- 
income student’ means a student counted under sec-
tion 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965. 
‘‘(5) RECOGNIZED
POSTSECONDARY
CREDEN-
TIAL.—The term ‘recognized postsecondary creden-
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tial’ has the meaning given the term in section 3 of 
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3102). 
‘‘SEC. 420U. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘To carry out this subpart, there are authorized to 
be appropriated $137,500,000 for fiscal year 2021 and 
each of the five succeeding fiscal years. 
‘‘SEC. 420V. GRANTS TO STATES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award a sin-
gle grant to a State, on a competitive basis, to assist the 
State in supporting or establishing early college high 
schools or dual or concurrent enrollment programs. 
‘‘(b) DURATION.—The grant under this section shall 
be awarded for a period of 2 years, and may be renewed 
by the Secretary for not more than 4 additional 2-year 
periods. 
‘‘(c) GRANT AMOUNT.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the amount of the grant under this section is suffi-
cient to enable the grantee to carry out the activities de-
scribed in subsection (f). 
‘‘(d) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—For each year that 
a State receives a grant under this section, the State shall 
provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 
percent of the amount of the grant received by the State 
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