The BLOCK Act replaces multiple Department of Education formula grant programs with block grants to states. Starting FY2026, states receive block grants based on FY2025 amounts for programs including Title I, migrant education, and English learner grants.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The BLOCK Act replaces multiple Department of Education formula grant programs with block grants to states. Starting FY2026, states receive block grants based on FY2025 amounts for programs including Title I, migrant education, and English learner grants.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Building Lasting Opportunities for Community K–12 Act or the BLOCK Act</strong></p><p>This bill repeals on October 1, 2025, specified formula grants for programs administered by the Department of Education (ED). Beginning with FY2026, ED must instead provide block grants for these programs to each state based on amounts received in FY2025.</p><p>Specifically, the bill repeals the following allocation formulas for programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965:</p><ul><li>the Education for the Disadvantaged program (which includes Basic Grants, Concentration Grants, Targeted Grants, and Education Finance Incentive Grants);</li><li>State Assessment Grants;</li><li>the Migrant Education Program;</li><li>Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk;</li><li>Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants; </li><li>English Language Acquisition State Grants;</li><li>Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants;</li><li>the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program;</li><li>the Rural Education Achievement Program (which includes both the Small, Rural School Achievement Program and the Rural and Low-Income School Program); and</li><li>Indian Education Formula Grants.</li></ul>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Converts ED formula grants to block grants
Repeals Title I allocation formulas
Covers migrant and English learner programs
Gives states more spending flexibility
Based on FY2025 funding levels
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
States would have more control over education spending priorities. The federal role in directing education funds would decrease. Schools currently receiving targeted formula funds may see changes in their allocations.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Education
Related Subjects
Academic performance and assessments
Community life and organization
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Indian social and development programs
State and local finance
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
847, 119th Congress (2025). "BLOCK Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-847
