Sponsors (59)
The bill invests federal resources to bolster the paraprofessional workforce—improving pay, training, and student support in high-need schools—while raising federal costs, adding administrative burden, and shifting local funding and bargaining pressures that may disadvantage some smaller districts.
Students in low-income and high-need schools will get more consistent instructional support because districts can hire and retain more paraprofessionals.
Paraprofessionals will likely receive higher wages or bonuses, improving recruitment and retention and reducing classroom vacancy rates.
States and districts (and paraprofessionals) will gain federal funding for workforce development—supporting credentials, professional development, and mentoring that can improve instructional quality and career mobility.
Taxpayers will face increased federal spending because the program authorizes unlimited or unspecified sums for 2026–2030.
Small or lower-priority local education agencies will have reduced access to funds because subgrant priority favors high-poverty and specified-locale schools.
State and local education agencies will incur additional administrative and reporting burdens to run competitive grant processes, which could divert staff time from instruction.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a grant program that funds SEAs (by Title I share) to competitively subgrant to recruit, train, credential, and retain paraprofessionals, including wage supports.
Introduced September 18, 2025 by Lucy Mcbath · Last progress September 18, 2025
Establishes a federal grant program that gives State educational agencies funds (allocated using each State’s prior-year Title I, Part A share) to help recruit, train, credential, and retain paraprofessionals who work in public elementary, secondary, and preschool programs. States may use a small share for administration and must competitively award subgrants to local education agencies and other eligible entities for induction/mentoring, professional development, certification programs, and wage or bonus supports for paraprofessionals.