Sponsors (65)
The bill directs targeted federal investment to raise pay, credentialing, and support for paraprofessionals—likely improving retention and student support in high-need schools—at the cost of increased federal spending, potential uneven distribution of funds, added local bargaining pressures, and more administrative work for education agencies.
Paraprofessionals could receive higher wages or bonuses, improving recruitment and retention and reducing classroom vacancy rates.
Students in low-income and high-need schools would get more consistent instructional support as districts hire and retain more paraprofessionals.
Paraprofessionals can gain credentials (special education, EL, advanced paraeducator, teaching certifications), improving instructional quality and their career mobility.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending because the program authorizes open-ended appropriations for 2026–2030.
Smaller local education agencies or schools that don't meet priority criteria may receive less funding, leaving some districts with fewer resources.
Using federal funds to raise paraprofessional wages could shift local salary expectations and create additional collective bargaining pressure and budget complications for districts.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive grant program through SEAs to recruit, train, credential, and retain paraprofessionals, including funding for wages and mentoring.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to support the recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 18, 2025 by Lucy Mcbath · Last progress September 18, 2025
Creates a federal grant program that gives funds to State educational agencies to help states, school districts, and educational service agencies recruit and keep paraprofessionals working in public elementary, secondary, and preschool programs. Grants may be used for induction and mentoring, evidence-based professional development, training and credentialing (including special education and English learner credentials), and raising wages or providing bonus pay to retain paraprofessionals. State allocations are based on prior-year Title I, Part A shares; SEAs may reserve up to 5% for administration and statewide activities and must competitively award subgrants to eligible local entities, prioritizing districts that serve higher shares of low-income students or rural/sparse-locale schools.