U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) recently cosponsored a bipartisan bill that would authorize $1 billion in federal grants for eligible state or local educational agencies to provide wrap-around services that address the out-of-school factors impacting K-12 student learning.
“As a father of six, I know firsthand that a student’s success starts outside of the classroom,” Rep. Gonzales said on April 12. “My district spans from San Antonio to El Paso, encompassing many underserved and rural communities. That’s why I am proud to introduce legislation to expand access to tutoring, after-school programs, college prep, nutrition, and mental health services to our most vulnerable students and families.”
Rep. Gonzales on March 31 cosponsored the Communities Serving Schools Act, H.R. 7333, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV).
If enacted, H.R. 7333 would permit the federal grants to be used for implementing a planning period to assess the needs of the school and select appropriate programs and services; partnering with a nonprofit community-based organization with a demonstrated record of providing high-quality, evidence-based wraparound services for children; and hiring an on-site coordinator to align services with student needs, connect students to services, ensure integration of services within the school, and track data on an annual basis, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, H.R. 7333 would require the U.S. Education Secretary to report to Congress every two years on the progress and impact of the grants and the work of grantees with respect to indicators, including attendance, graduation rates, academic progress, behavioral issues, and school engagement, the summary says.
“The pandemic laid bare longstanding inequities in our education system, reminding us that student success goes well beyond the classroom,” said Rep. Lee. “When students have access to nutrition, tutoring, after-school programs, mental health support, and other vital services, they perform better in school. But the sad reality is that far too many students from low-income neighborhoods and communities of color don’t have access to this kind of support.”
The measure has been endorsed by Communities In Schools and Communities In Schools of Nevada.