June 9, 2025
Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Frost, Ms. Adams, Mr. Casten, Mr. Figures, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Magaziner, Mrs. McBath, Ms. Norton, Ms. Schakowsky, and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to carry out professional development for arts educators and creative arts therapists to learn how to best accommodate children with disabilities, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act
.
Sec. 2. Inclusive arts education grant program
(a) In general
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, grants to eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (d).
(b) Applications
To be considered for a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(c) Limitation
The Secretary shall not award a grant to—
(1)
a local educational agency that is served by a State educational agency that is awarded a grant under this section; or
(2)
a partnership that includes an entity described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subsection (f)(2)(c) if such entity is a member of a partnership that is awarded a grant under this section.
(d) Grant uses
An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such funds to promote curricula, best practices, professional development for arts educators and creative arts therapists, and innovative approaches, including creative arts therapies in elementary schools and secondary schools, that—
(1)
increase access for, and improve inclusion of, children with disabilities in such arts education; and
(2)
adapt classroom materials and lessons to accommodate children with disabilities.
(e) Program periods and diversity of projects
(1) Grant period
A grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than 3 years.
(2) Reapplication
In a case in which an eligible entity submits an application under subsection (b) and is not awarded a grant under this section—
(A)
the Secretary shall provide to such eligible entity—
(i)
the reasons for denial of such application, including a list of any selection criteria that the eligible entity did not meet; and
(ii)
a list of recommended changes to be made by the eligible entity to such application before resubmission in order to meet such selection criteria; and
(B)
the eligible entity may resubmit such application in accordance with subsection (b) not earlier than 1 year after such entity receives the information required under subparagraph (A).
(3) Renewal
The Secretary may renew a grant awarded under this section for one 2-year period for an eligible entity that demonstrates to the Secretary the success of the program funded under the grant, such as through student, parent, or teacher satisfaction, or program efficacy.
(4) Priority
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that serve elementary schools or secondary schools that receive funds under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
(5) Diversity of projects
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, grants are distributed among eligible entities that serve—
(A)
geographically diverse areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas;
(B)
Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and
(C)
elementary schools and secondary schools in varying socioeconomic areas.
(f) Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Child with a disability
The term child with a disability has the meaning given the term in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401(3)).
(2) Creative arts therapists
The term creative arts therapists means individuals who are licensed, certified, or credentialed as one of the following—
(A)
an art therapist;
(B)
a dance movement therapist;
(C)
a drama therapist; or
(D)
a music therapist.
(3) Creative arts therapies
The term creative arts therapies
means therapeutic interventions developed and provided by an art therapist, dance movement therapist, drama therapist, or music therapist to support academic goals, facilitate communication and emotional expression, enhance self-awareness, and improve social, cognitive, and motor skills.
(4) Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means—
(A)
a local educational agency;
(B)
a State educational agency; and
(C)
a partnership between an entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B) and—
(i)
an institution of higher education; or
(ii)
a nonprofit organization with expertise relevant to the activities or practices described in subsection (d).
(5) ESEA terms
The terms elementary school, professional development, secondary school, and Secretary have the meaning given the terms, respectively, in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(6) Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated, in the aggregate, for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, $15,000,000 to the Secretary to carry out this Act.