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Creates a federal grant program to raise pay for paraprofessionals and education support staff by funding State grants so local school districts can meet new minimum salary and hourly wage targets. It sets dollar and hourly floors for 2026–2030 (including $45,000/year and $30/hour), provides an initial $25 billion appropriation for FY2026 with planned annual increases, requires State plans and timelines to meet the wage goals, and tasks the Department of Education with administering, monitoring, and enforcing the program while preserving collective bargaining rights.
Defines terms used in the section, including 'ESEA' terms (English learner, local educational agency, paraprofessional, professional development, Secretary, State) as given in ESEA section 8101, and defines 'annual adjustment percentage' as the estimated percent change in the Consumer Price Index for the most recent calendar year, as determined by the Secretary.
Defines 'minimum salary for paraprofessional and education support staff' as a State-determined annual base salary for full-time equivalent employees that is greater than the minimum wage definition and which increases with experience; for FY2026–FY2030 this amount is $45,000, and for FY2031 and after it is indexed by either the 5-year aggregate annual adjustment percentage or 2%, whichever is greater.
Defines 'minimum wage for paraprofessional and education support staff' as a State-determined hourly rate for part-time equivalent staff that is greater than the statutory baseline and which increases with experience; for FY2026–FY2030 this amount is $30.00 per hour, and for FY2031 and after it is indexed by either the 5-year aggregate annual adjustment percentage or 2%, whichever is greater.
States the purpose: ensure paraprofessionals and education support staff are paid a living wage (via a minimum salary or minimum wage), compensated for regional cost-of-living differences, recognized as public servants, and provided safe working conditions and respect.
Authorizes and appropriates $25,000,000,000 to the Department of Education for fiscal year 2026 to carry out this section.
Directly affected: paraprofessionals and education support staff will see higher minimum wages where grants are used as intended, potentially reducing turnover, improving job quality, and improving student support. K-12 school districts and State education agencies must design and implement pay plans, allocate funds, and meet reporting and compliance rules; this creates administrative and planning workload. The Department of Education will expand oversight, monitoring, and enforcement activities. Local and State budgets may face transitional impacts: federal grants fund initial increases, but districts could face long-term cost pressures if federal funding declines or does not fully cover sustained payroll growth. Collective bargaining units retain bargaining rights, but negotiated contracts may need adjustment to align with federally required minimums. Smaller or rural districts may need targeted allocations or technical assistance to meet the wage floors. Overall effects include likely improvement in pay and retention for school support personnel, administrative burdens for implementation, and potential fiscal tradeoffs at local levels if future federal appropriations change.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced July 24, 2025 by Edward John Markey · Last progress July 24, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced in Senate