American Teacher Act

This bill, called the American Teacher Act, would help states raise public school teacher pay. It sets a base minimum salary of $60,000 for full-time teachers at public elementary and secondary schools starting in the 2026–27 school year, with yearly inflation increases. The U.S. Department of Education would give four-year grants to state education agencies, which must pass at least 85% of funds to local school districts, with priority for high‑poverty and rural districts. Part‑time teachers must be paid at least a proportional amount. These grants must add to, not replace, existing state and local dollars for teacher pay, and states cannot cut current teacher pay or teacher loan‑forgiveness because of these funds .

If a state already meets the $60,000 base but can’t afford cost‑of‑living raises due to inflation, a separate grant can cover those increases, based on the CPI‑U (a federal inflation measure). The bill also lets the Education Department use a small share of funds for a national campaign to highlight the value of teaching and to recruit a more diverse group of future teachers. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 .

• Who is affected: Public school teachers (full-time and part-time), state education agencies, and local school districts, especially high‑poverty and rural districts.
• What changes: A $60,000 base minimum teacher salary with annual inflation adjustments; grants to set and maintain this pay; cost‑of‑living grants; and a national awareness and recruitment campaign .
• When: Starts in the 2026–27 school year; funding runs 2026–2030 .