H.R. 10427: Magnet Schools Accessibility, Growth, and Nonexclusionary Enrollment Transformation Act

This bill would expand the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program, which provides grants to help schools create or improve magnet schools. In plain terms, it would add a new grant category focused on helping magnet schools become more diverse and easier to access, while also changing some of the existing program rules.

What the bill changes in the current magnet schools program

The bill would let state educational agencies, as well as school districts and consortia of districts, apply for magnet school grants under more circumstances than before. It would also direct the Education Department to favor applications that:

• build diversity and integration into the school’s design and mission;
• use inclusive enrollment methods, such as weighted lotteries;
• support inter-district choice or regional integration;
• provide free, accessible transportation for students;
• engage families and communities from different backgrounds.

For some applicants new to the program, the bill would allow a small share of grant money, up to 1%, to be used for technical assistance in carrying out the magnet school plan.

New supplemental diversity grants

The bill would create a new grant program called supplemental diversity grants. These grants would be for eligible entities that have not received a magnet school grant in the prior 3 years and that want to adopt evidence-based practices intended to reduce segregation and increase racial and socioeconomic diversity.

To apply, an entity would have to explain how it would:

• increase diversity and integration;
• use inclusive enrollment practices like weighted lotteries;
• inform families about magnet school opportunities in accessible ways and in relevant languages;
• improve student achievement and close opportunity gaps;
• support students’ social and emotional learning;
• use restorative discipline approaches that reduce suspension and expulsion;
• track outcomes with a data plan;
• improve the overall quality of the district.

State educational agencies applying for these grants would also have to explain how they view magnet schools as a tool for promoting integration in the state.

How the money could be used

Grant funds could support a wide range of activities, including:

• recruiting a more diverse student body;
• updating school facilities so they can house magnet programs or convert fully into magnet schools;
• improving outreach and marketing to families;
• providing transportation;
• hiring and training educators;
• strengthening curriculum and instruction;
• expanding family engagement and community partnerships;
• supporting regional or inter-district integration efforts;
• implementing restorative discipline policies.

The bill also says grant money could be used for infrastructure and equipment, but not more than 15% of a grant could go toward those facility improvements.

Limits and conditions

These new grants could last no more than 5 fiscal years, and a grant award could not exceed $7.5 million over the grant period.

The bill would prohibit grants to entities that charge application fees or use admissions criteria tied to fees.

It would also require annual reporting by grant recipients, with the reports made public by the Secretary of Education. The reports would have to describe how the funds were used and whether they improved diversity, achievement, school climate, educator access, and educational quality.

If a grantee does not show the expected improvements after two years, the Education Department would have to notify it in writing. The grantee would then need to submit a corrective plan within 90 days. If problems are not addressed, the department could require repayment of remaining funds or stop future payments.

Funding

The bill would authorize whatever funding is needed for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the magnet schools program, with a floor of $109 million per year for the existing program. Any funding above that amount could also be used for the new supplemental diversity grants. The Education Department could reserve up to 1% of the funding for technical assistance and sharing best practices.

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