GRADE 2029

Policy Summary: Government Requirements for Accurate District Evaluations Act of 2029 (GRADE 2029)

Purpose

The Government Requirements for Accurate District Evaluations Act of 2029 (GRADE 2029) ensures transparency and accountability through fairly funding public education systems by requiring honest reporting of student performance and record keeping, rewarding school districts for honest outcomes and additional funding for underperforming districts.

Key Provisions

This legislation empowers the U.S. Department of Education to audit grade books and test scores to prevent fraud, letting districts demonstrate genuine academic need.
GRADE 2029 promotes fairness in federal funding distributions and restores public trust in the education sector.
Requires public schools and districts to submit academic performance data for routine or targeted federal audits.
Grants the Department of Education full authority to investigate and penalize intentional manipulation or misrepresentation of grades and test scores.
Provides additional funding, grants, and resources to schools that truthfully report low academic outcomes, in order to support student improvement efforts.
Establishes a National Education Integrity Database for public access to audit results and school performance data.

Curriculum Requirements

While GRADE 2029 does not dictate specific curricula, it ensures schools focus on instruction over appearance. By requiring honest reporting of student learning, schools will be encouraged to improve instructional quality, remedial programs, and educational support services, especially in underserved communities which will greatly benefit from additional federal funding.

Enforcement Measures

Authorizes unannounced audits by the Department of Education.
Schools or individuals found guilty of falsifying academic records face investigations, administrative action, and potential prosecution.
Schools that report struggling student outcomes honestly will not be penalized, and instead will qualify for federal assistance.

Funding Stipulations

Schools or districts that intentionally misrepresent student performance may lose access to grants and additional funding granted to districts deemed to be honest in reporting standards.
Schools that report accurately, even with poor performance, will qualify for new federal grants, educational tools, and technology upgrades to help close achievement gaps.
Funding withheld from dishonest districts will be redirected to schools demonstrating need and integrity.

Criminal and Administrative Accountability

Willful falsification of academic records will be referred for prosecution under applicable federal statutes (e.g. fraud, misuse of public funds).
Administrative consequences for individuals may include job termination, educator license revocation, and disqualification from future federal education roles.
Whistleblower protections will be included to support educators and staff who report fraud or grade tampering.

Federal Coordination

The Department of Education will partner with state education departments and inspector generals to conduct audits and investigations.
The Department of Education will maintain contact with PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, Aeries, Skyward, Synergy (Edupoint), and Canvas to ensure honest compliance and audibility.
An open-source, centralized database will track audit outcomes and school funding status to ensure accountability and coordination across jurisdictions, allowing parents to choose school districts based upon trust, not image.

Intended Impact

GRADE 2029 will strengthen the integrity of American education while lifting up the schools that need the most help. By prioritizing honesty over image, GRADE 2029 ensures:

Federal resources are directed where they are truly needed.
Underperforming schools receive extra tools, support, and funding, not punishment.
Students across the country get recognition if they are struggling with learning metrics.
Communities regain trust in their local schools and educational leadership.

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