The BLOCK Act would replace several targeted, formula-based federal K-12 funding streams with a single block grant to each state (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico). Starting in fiscal year 2026, each state would receive a block grant equal to the total amount it received in fiscal year 2025 from the specified ESEA programs (unless Congress provides additional appropriations). On October 1, 2025, the cited formula grants would be repealed. The bill defines “State” to include all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico. In short, the act seeks to consolidate federal K-12 funding into state-level block grants, giving states broader discretion over how to use the funds while preserving Congress’s ability to provide additional appropriations outside the block grant. The bill’s intent is to simplify funding and give states more flexibility, but it would reduce or eliminate direct, program-specific federal funding for many high-need student programs (e.g., Title I, English learners, rural education, migrant education, etc.). The overall funding level for the block grants would be driven by the 2025 levels of the repealed programs, with the possibility of growth only if Congress chooses to appropriate more money separately.
Key Points
- 1Title and purpose: Repeals a group of formula grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and replaces them with state block grants, starting in FY2026, under the short title “Building Lasting Opportunities for Community K-12 Act” (BLOCK Act).
- 2Funding mechanism: Beginning in FY2026, each State (including DC and Puerto Rico) would receive a block grant in an amount equal to the total funding the State received in FY2025 from the repealed ESEA formula programs listed in Section 3, unless Congress appropriates additional funds otherwise.
- 3Repealed programs: The act would repeal 10 specific formula grant programs (all located within ESEA, including Title I Type A grants to LEAs, State Assessment Grants, Migrant Education, Neglected and Delinquent, Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants, English Language Acquisition, Student Support and Academic Enrichment, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Rural Education, and Indian Education Formula Grants).
- 4Effective date: Repeals would take effect on October 1, 2025; block grants would start in FY2026.
- 5State definition: For purposes of the bill, “State” includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, expanding the potential recipient base beyond the 50 states alone.