H.R. 7082 · On the floor · Education

FLEX Act

Sponsor: Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA)

What it does

• Expands allowable uses of Charter Schools Program funds to include adding or expanding academic programs, personalized learning models, and new curricular approaches at charter schools.
• Permits subgrants to fund hiring and compensating teachers and school staff beyond the planning period, as well as facility renovations, upgrades, repairs, and portable classroom acquisition.
• Allows charter school applicants to request and receive advance payments of subgrants to improve cash flow during school development and operations.
• Requires the Department of Education to allocate additional CSP funds for activities such as increasing available enrollment seats and supporting underserved student populations.

Official summary

Fostering Learning and Excellence in Charter Schools Act or the FLEX Act This bill expands and revises the Charter Schools Program (CSP), including by expanding the allowable uses of CSP funds. Current law authorizes competitive grants to state entities (e.g., state educational agencies and state charter school boards) and, through them, subgrants to eligible applicants (i.e., charter school developers) to enable them to open and prepare for the operation of a new charter school or replicate or expand an existing high-quality charter school. The bill allows subgrants to also be used for adding or expanding programs or other offerings at these schools, such as through the adoption of new academic programs or delivery models, personalized learning, or a new curricular approach. New offerings must enable additional students to enroll in and benefit from the school. Eligible applicants may also use CSP funds for activities such as hiring and compensating teachers and other school staff (currently, this may only occur during the planning period); carrying out necessary renovations, upgrades, or facility repairs, or acquiring portable classrooms; and providing transportation to…

Latest action

May 13, 2026: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 566.

Committee: House Education and Workforce