Kaine, Colleagues Lead Democratic Colleagues in Reintroducing Bicameral Legislation to Expand Support for Magnet Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, along with U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) reintroduced the Magnet Schools Accessibility, Growth, and Nonexclusionary Enrollment Transformation (MAGNET) Act, legislation to strengthen support for magnet schools. The bill would require the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant to prioritize applicants that plan to establish whole-school magnet schools, emphasize inter-district diversity, and propose strategies to improve diversity and academic performance across schools and districts. It would also authorize a new grant program housed under MSAP, the Supplemental Diversity Grant (SDG), which aims to continue supporting the work of existing magnet programs aspiring to improve their diversity-related goals.
Magnet schools are public schools designed to cater to different learning styles and attract a wide range of students from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds across zip codes. More than 3.5 million students attend magnet schools nationwide, but as school districts become increasingly segregated by race and income, this legislation updates the MSAP grant to expand access to funding and ensure it supports magnet schools with the greatest impact on improving diversity and academic performance. In Connecticut, 86 magnet schools serve nearly 40,000 students in grades pre-K through 12 across 29 districts.
“As a former parent of public school students and a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, ensuring that Virginia’s students have the resources they need to thrive is one of my top priorities,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to be joining with my colleagues in introducing the MAGNET Act, which will help increase racial and socioeconomic diversity in our magnet schools and further strengthen our school districts.”
"Connecticut's magnet schools are proof that desegregating our classrooms improves academic outcomes for everyone," said Murphy. “Expanding access to these schools across the country will ensure every kid – no matter their zip code – can get a quality education. I’m glad to reintroduce this legislation to support existing magnet schools and help other districts get new programs off the ground.”
“Thousands of kids in Connecticut benefit from the diversity and specialized curriculum at magnet schools, and even more students stand to gain access to these educational opportunities with our bill. Expanding resources for magnet schools will give parents even greater choice within the public school system and set more students up for success,” said Blumenthal.
“Magnet schools foster diversity, promote academic excellence, and help provide access to quality learning opportunities regardless of the student’s zip code,” said Booker. “The MAGNET Act will expand funding for magnet schools that are working to improve diversity so we can ensure students from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds all have the opportunity to thrive.”
“The magnet school model breaks down social barriers to learning in our nation and promotes academic success and healthier communities. Our bill will help establish high-quality successful magnet schools and expand existing programs so all students and families can reap the benefits of a magnet school education,” said Courtney.
“Students deserve access to high-quality public schools, including magnet programs. Funding constraints and lack of investment often block students from these educational opportunities so we must be creative in our approach to solutions.” said Hayes. “The MAGNET Act will enable public schools to invest in high-quality programming for more students. This legislation will also create new magnet programs and opportunities for vulnerable and underserved students.”
The MAGNET Act is endorsed by: American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Capitol Region Education Council; Center for Educational Equity, Teachers College, Columbia University; Civil Rights Project at UCLA; Integrated Schools; Magnet Schools of America; National Coalition on School Diversity; Poverty and Race Research Action Council.
Full text of the bill available HERE.
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