HB 847, the BLOCK Act, repeals a slate of formula-based K–12 grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and redirects the funds to a new block-grant structure controlled by states. The grants affected include local educational agency grants under Part A Title I, State Assessment Grants under Part B Title I, Migrant Education under Part C Title I, Neglected and Delinquent under Part D Title I, and a suite of Title II–IV programs (including Supporting Effective Instruction, English Language Acquisition, Student Support and Academic Enrichment, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Rural Education, and Indian Education Formula Grants).
Oct. 1, 2025 is the repeal date for these provisions, with block grants to states beginning FY 2026. The block-grant amount for each state will equal the 2025 funding the state received under those repealed provisions, subject to further appropriation by Congress.
The definition of “State” in the bill explicitly includes the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This marks a fundamental shift from program-specific funding to a single, flexible funding stream at the state level, raising questions about equity, accountability, and implementation pace across states.
At a Glance
What It Does
Starting in FY 2026, the Secretary of Education awards block grants to each state in an amount equal to its 2025 funding from the repealed programs; the targeted formula grants are repealed as listed. The repeal takes effect Oct. 1, 2025, and the block-grant funds are subject to Congress’s appropriations.
Who It Affects
State education agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs) via state allocations, and schools/districts within states; the Department of Education administers the block-grant framework.
Why It Matters
This is a structural shift in federal K–12 funding, moving from program-specific formulas to a universal state-driven mechanism. It changes accountability pathways, funding predictability, and the way districts plan and deliver services.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The BLOCK Act would eliminate a set of formula grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replace them with state-controlled block grants. The repeal covers a broad suite of programs, including major Title I streams (such as local educational agency funding and migrant education), English language acquisition, and several Title IV and Title II initiatives that support instruction and school improvement.
On October 1, 2025, those formula programs would be repealed, and beginning in FY 2026 each state would receive a block grant equal to the amount it received in 2025 under those programs, subject to the usual appropriation process. The bill also defines “State” to include the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
In effect, funds would shift from program-specific, formula-based distribution to a single, flexible allocation at the state level, with states deciding how to deploy the funds to districts and schools over time. This creates greater state-level discretion but raises questions about equity, oversight, and how outcomes for students, particularly in high-need districts, will be maintained without program-specific mandates and accountability structures.
The Five Things You Need to Know
HB 847 repeals 10 ESEA formula grant programs and replaces them with block grants to states.
Block grant amounts for FY 2026 equal each state's 2025 funding under the repealed provisions (subject to appropriations).
Oct. 1, 2025 is the repeal date for the listed formula grants.
The term “State” includes DC and Puerto Rico.
Funding continuity relies on annual Congressional appropriations and state-level allocation decisions.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Block Grants to States
Section 2 requires the Department of Education to begin awarding block grants to every state in FY 2026. Each state’s block grant will equal the amount it received in 2025 under the set of repealed formula provisions listed in Section 3, subject to Congress’s annual appropriations. This creates a single-state allocation mechanism intended to replace multiple targeted programs with a unified funding stream, giving states more discretion over how funds are distributed to LEAs and schools.
Repeal of Certain Formula Grants under ESEA
Section 3 enumerates the specific formula-based grants that will be repealed on October 1, 2025. It covers Grants to Local Educational Agencies under Part A Title I, State Assessment Grants under Part B Title I, Migrant Education under Part C Title I, Neglected and Delinquent under Part D Title I, Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants under Part A Title II, English Language Acquisition under Part A Title III, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants under Part A Title IV, 21st Century Community Learning Centers under Part B Title IV, Rural Education under Part B Title V, and Indian Education Formula Grants under Subpart I Part A Title VI. The repeal eliminates these targeted funding streams in favor of the block-grant approach.
Definition of State
Section 4 defines “State” to mean the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This expands or consolidates the set of jurisdictions eligible for block-grant funding under the act and clarifies the scope of the new funding mechanism for federal K–12 programs.
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Who Benefits
- State educational agencies (SEAs) in every state, DC, and Puerto Rico—receive block grants equal to their 2025 funding from the repealed programs and gain flexibility to allocate funds to state priorities
- State governments (governors and budget offices)—gain discretion to tailor K–12 funding allocations without needing separate approvals for each program
- Local educational agencies (LEAs) within states—potentially benefit from more flexible, state-led distribution that can be directed toward district needs
- U.S. Department of Education program offices—will administer the block-grant framework under a unified funding mechanism, potentially streamlining oversight and reporting
Who Bears the Cost
- Federal budget authority may become more volatile year over year as block-grant funding is tied to appropriations rather than formula-level guarantees
- State governments bear transition and administration costs to implement and manage the block-grant structure, including oversight, audit, and reporting
- Local educational agencies may face uncertainty in funding levels and distribution timing as states determine allocations
- States that rely on targeted need-based formula adjustments may experience reduced program-specific accountability signals and require new state-level accountability approaches
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is whether consolidating funds into state-controlled block grants will improve overall educational outcomes through better alignment with state priorities, while potentially weakening targeted investments for students who rely on specific program supports and accountability mechanisms.
The act replaces multiple, targeted federal education programs with a single, flexible funding mechanism at the state level. While this could streamline administration and allow states to tailor funding to their priorities, it also raises concerns about equity and consistency in support for high-need districts.
Because the block grants are determined by the 2025 level of funding for the repealed programs, long-term equity will depend on future Congresses’ appropriations and states’ allocation choices. The transition away from program-specific mandates may complicate efforts to monitor and compare outcomes across states, and it raises questions about minimum funding guarantees for districts with historically higher needs.
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