Preparing And Retaining PARA Educators

Summary#

This bill directs the Secretary of Education to run a grant program that helps states recruit and retain paraprofessionals in public elementary and secondary schools and in preschool programs. States receive allotments based on each State's share of Title I, Part A funds. States may reserve up to 5 percent for administration and statewide activities and must award competitive subgrants to eligible local educational agencies or educational service agencies that serve high-need schools. Allowed uses include induction and mentoring programs, professional development, training and credentials (for example special education or English learner certificates), and increasing wages or offering bonus pay.

The bill requires states to prioritize entities that serve more children from low-income families, entirely rural school groups (locale codes 41–43), or schools meeting certain National School Lunch Program criteria. States must submit annual reports to the Secretary with updated paraprofessional pay baselines, data on staffing and wages, descriptions of actions to address shortages, and descriptions of professional development activities. The bill clarifies it does not change collective bargaining rights but does not exempt parties from complying with the act. The bill authorizes such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a paraprofessional, schools in your state may get funds for higher pay, bonuses, training, mentoring, or certification programs.
  • If you work at a local education agency or educational service agency, you may be able to apply for competitive subgrants to support recruitment and retention.
  • If your school serves many low-income or rural students, it may get priority for funding.
  • If you follow state reporting, the state will report pay and staffing changes each year to the Department of Education.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes appropriations of "such sums as may be necessary" for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. No specific dollar amounts are included.
  • State allotments are set in proportion to each State's share of Title I, Part A allocations from the prior year.
  • States may reserve up to 5 percent of their allotment for administrative and statewide activities; the rest must be awarded as competitive subgrants.
  • No publicly available information on estimated total federal cost or budget scoring is included in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

  • Sponsors and supporters introduced the bill to create a federal grant program aimed at recruiting and retaining paraprofessionals.
  • The bill emphasizes tools supporters point to for that goal: mentoring and induction programs, professional development, credentials and certifications, and wage increases or bonus pay.
  • Supporters can also point to the reporting requirements as a way to track changes in pay and staffing.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.