# A PLUS Act (H.R. 838) - Plain Language Summary

## What This Bill Does

The A PLUS Act gives states the flexibility to combine multiple federal education funding streams into one consolidated fund that they can manage according to their own education priorities. Instead of receiving separate federal grants with specific rules for each program, states could submit a "declaration of intent" to the U.S. Secretary of Education to pool these funds together and spend them on whatever educational purposes their state laws allow. This is designed to reduce paperwork and administrative complexity while giving states more control over how federal education dollars are spent.

## Who Is Affected

**States and local school districts** would be the primary beneficiaries, gaining greater flexibility in how they allocate federal education money. **Students**, particularly disadvantaged students, could potentially benefit if states use this flexibility to improve educational opportunities. However, **parents and taxpayers** would need to hold states accountable for how they use these consolidated funds. The bill specifically excludes special education funding (IDEA), so those programs would continue operating under existing federal rules.

## Key Provisions

- States can voluntarily combine federal education funds from most programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
- A state's governor, top education official, and/or legislature must authorize the consolidation
- States must maintain fiscal controls, follow civil rights laws, and report progress to parents and taxpayers
- The consolidation can last up to 5 years
- The Secretary of Education has 60 days to review and approve declarations; if they don't respond, approval happens automatically
- States must use federal funds to supplement (not replace) their own education funding

A PLUS Act

Moolenaar, John R.

Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act or the A PLUS Act&nbsp;This bill creates a framework under which states may receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and use such funds for any educational purpose permitted by state law.