This House resolution states that paraprofessionals and education support staff should receive fair pay, benefits, and safer, more stable working conditions. It defines paraprofessionals and education support staff as workers such as instructional assistants, clerical staff, bus drivers, food service workers, custodians, and others who work in elementary and secondary schools and public higher education. The resolution notes there are more than 3,000,000 such workers supporting over 49,000,000 students and that about 331,000 fewer school staff were employed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It lists many specific points the House believes these workers should have, including livable and competitive wages; access to high-quality, affordable health care; eligibility under the Family and Medical Leave Act; 16 weeks of paid family and medical leave; paid leave for school closures; free or affordable professional development during paid hours; adequate supplies and technology; training and personal protective equipment; representation in policymaking; input about electronic monitoring and AI; participation in meetings about the students they serve; safe and healthy workplaces; appropriate staffing levels; adequate notice of employment duration; automatic contract renewal and just-cause termination provisions; and a process to report workplace issues without retaliation. The resolution also says employers should negotiate in good faith, seek timely contracts, and refrain from replacing workers who strike or locking them out. It states that nothing in the resolution should be read to override collective bargaining agreements that are more favorable to workers.
This resolution expresses the House's view that these school workers should have better pay, benefits, and protections. It is a statement of position (a "sense of the House") and does not itself change wages, create benefits, or appropriate money. If you are a paraprofessional, education support staff member, educator, student, or parent, the resolution shows congressional support for the listed workplace changes and protections, but any actual changes would require separate laws, funding, or local agreements.
No publicly available information. The resolution does not include funding provisions or cost estimates.
Supporters say paraprofessionals and education support staff are frontline workers who help schools run and support students. They argue these workers are often undercompensated, lack job security and benefits, and sometimes take on teacher duties without extra pay. Proponents call for livable wages, health care access, paid leave, job protections, training, safe workplaces, meaningful input into school policies, and respect for their role in student support.
No publicly available information on opponents' views or specific objections is included in the resolution text.