119-s2481

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2481 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 2481

 To ensure that teachers are paid a livable and competitive salary 
 throughout their career, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 July 28, 2025

Mr. Sanders (for himself, Mr. Markey, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Welch, 
Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Warren, and Mr. Padilla) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To ensure that teachers are paid a livable and competitive salary 
 throughout their career, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pay Teachers 
Act''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Purposes.

Sec. 3. Findings.

Sec. 4. Definitions.

Sec. 5. Regulations; special rule.
 TITLE I--INCREASING FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN OUR NATION'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Sec. 101. Mandatory appropriations for part A of title I of the ESEA.

Sec. 102. Mandatory appropriations for rural education.

Sec. 103. Mandatory appropriations for impact aid.

Sec. 104. Mandatory appropriations for Bureau of Indian Education.
 TITLE II--SUPPORTING OUR NATION'S EDUCATORS

 PART A--Ensuring Teachers Are Paid a Livable and Competitive Wage

Sec. 201. Definitions.

Sec. 202. State Teacher Pay Plan Addendum.

Sec. 203. Paying teachers livable and competitive salaries and wages.

Sec. 204. Collective bargaining and related rules.
PART B--Modernizing the Teaching Profession To Improve Student Learning

Sec. 211. Definitions.

Sec. 212. State commissions to advance the teaching profession.

Sec. 213. Advancing the teaching profession grants.

Sec. 214. Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act.

Sec. 215. Rules.
 PART C--Technical Assistance; Reporting; Administration; Study

Sec. 221. Annual State report to the Secretary.

Sec. 222. Promoting the equitable distribution of in-field, 
 experienced, and effective teachers.

Sec. 223. Improving resource equity.

Sec. 224. Strengthening per-pupil expenditure reporting.

Sec. 225. State administration.

Sec. 226. National Academies study to improve ESEA's resource equity 
 requirements.
 TITLE III--INVESTING IN EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND THE TEACHING PIPELINE

Sec. 301. Mandatory appropriations for the Teacher Quality Partnerships 
 and Grow Your Own programs.

Sec. 302. Mandatory appropriations for the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers 
 of Excellence program.

Sec. 303. Mandatory appropriations for personnel development to improve 
 services and results for children with 
 disabilities under part D of IDEA.

Sec. 304. Mandatory appropriations for the Supporting Effective 
 Educator Development program.

Sec. 305. Mandatory appropriations for the Teacher and School Leader 
 Incentive program to support continued 
 teacher growth and contributions to student 
 learning.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

 The purposes of this Act are to--

    (1) ensure public elementary and secondary school teachers 
 earn a livable salary and are compensated with a career-based 
 competitive salary that--
        (A) includes a starting annual base salary of not 
 less than $60,000; and
        (B) increases regularly throughout a teacher's 
 career;

    (2) ensure paraprofessionals and education support staff 
 are paid a living wage of not less than $45,000 per year or 
 $30.00 an hour;

    (3) increase Federal investments in public schools, and 
 call upon States and local governments to increase investments 
 in public education in order to promote educational equity, 
 including by ensuring that every public school student is 
 taught by a qualified teacher; and

    (4) invest in a diverse teacher workforce, by strengthening 
 the educator pipeline and supporting career development and 
 advancement through expanded teacher leadership and 
 professional advancement opportunities.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

 Congress finds the following:

    (1) Public school teachers in the United States have one of 
 the toughest, most demanding, and most under-appreciated jobs 
 in the United States.

    (2) In the majority of States, public elementary and 
 secondary school teachers do not earn a livable and competitive 
 salary. According to the 2024 report by the Economic Policy 
 Institute, on average, teachers in 2023 earned 5.1 percent less 
 than teachers did in 1996, while during the same time period, 
 the wages for other similarly-educated professionals increased 
 by 30 percent.

    (3) Many teachers across the country are working multiple 
 jobs and have to rely on public assistance programs just to 
 make ends meet. According to the Southern Regional Education 
 Board, in 36 States, the average teacher salary is low enough 
 that mid-career teachers who are the head of household for a 
 family of 4 qualify for government benefits. According to a 
 University of California, Berkeley study, between 2014 and 
 2016, 21 percent of elementary and middle school teachers were 
 part of families enrolled in at least one of the following 
 public assistance programs:
        (A) The Earned Income Tax Credit under 

section 32 
 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
        (B) The Medicaid program.
            (C) The Children's Health Insurance program.
            (D) The supplemental nutrition assistance program 
 established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
        (E) The program of block grants to States for 
 temporary assistance for needy families established 
 under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

    (4) One estimate shows that in school year 2020-2021, 17 
 percent of public school teachers worked multiple jobs during 
 the school year, such as working in restaurants or driving for 
 ride-share platforms.

    (5) The reality for paraprofessionals and education support 
 staff is even more troubling. In school year 2022-23, full-time 
 workers earned on average $33,756, with 38 percent of workers 
 earning less than $25,000 and 12.5 percent earning less than 
 $15,000. This is no way to treat the critical school staff who 
 manage our school grounds, keep our students safe, drive them 
 to school, and work in our Nation's classrooms.

    (6) According to the National Education Association, the 
 average starting teacher salary in the United States was 
 $44,530 in the 2022-2023 school year. This is an increase of 
 3.9 percent over the previous school year. 28.6 percent of 
 school districts pay their starting teachers less than $40,000, 
 and those districts employ 17.9 percent of teachers nationwide. 
 Only 12.9 percent of starting teachers nationwide earn a salary 
 of $60,000 or more. Nationwide, 38 percent of teachers earn 
 less than $60,000.

    (7) According to a 2022 study from the Annenberg Institute 
 at Brown University, the most recent national data shows that 
 nearly 200,000 teaching positions were either vacant or held by 
 underqualified teachers. This study, and others, consistently 
 demonstrate that teacher shortages disproportionately impact 
 schools serving the most students of color and from low-income 
 backgrounds.

    (8) Nearly 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education of 
 Topeka, 347 U.S. 483

    (1954) , required the provision of public 
 education to all people ``on equal terms,'' children of color, 
 children with disabilities, and children in low-income 
 communities are routinely denied a high-quality education. The 
 Civil Rights Data Collection of the Office for Civil Rights of 
 the Department of Education shows that schools with high 
 enrollment of students of color are 4 times as likely to employ 
 uncertified teachers compared to schools with low enrollment of 
 students of color. Additional studies show that teachers with 
 less than 3 years of experience are concentrated in schools 
 serving a high percentage of students from low-income 
 backgrounds and students of color.

    (9) Research, including a study by the Economic Policy 
 Institute, has found that raising teacher salaries helps 
 attract youth into teaching, encourages teachers to teach in 
 underserved schools, improves teacher retention and morale, and 
 bolsters student academic outcomes. According to the Learning 
 Policy Institute, controlling for other factors, teachers 
 employed by local educational agencies with the highest salary 
 schedules are 31 percent less likely to leave than teachers 
 employed by local educational agencies with lower pay scales.

    (10) According to the Consortium for Policy Research in 
 Education at the University of Pennsylvania, teachers who enter 
 the profession through comprehensive and high-quality pathways 
 are 2 to 3 times more likely to remain in the profession than 
 underprepared teachers who enter through less than 
 comprehensive pathways.

    (11) Several studies have shown the many benefits of 
 providing opportunities for teacher leadership, which include 
 improving instructional practice, increasing academic and other 
 positive outcomes for students, and increasing teacher 
 retention.

    (12) Teachers in the United States are systemically 
 underpaid compared to their similarly educated peers. According 
 to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 
 teachers in the United States are paid 64 percent what 
 similarly-educated professionals earn, which is a much more 
 extreme pay gap than in other industrialized nations.

    (13) Raising teacher salaries to at least $60,000 a year, 
 ensuring competitive pay throughout the lifetime of the 
 teaching career, and empowering teachers are some of the most 
 important steps the United States can take to address the 
 teacher shortage crisis and ensure all students have access to 
 qualified teachers and educational opportunity. Paying teachers 
 as the professionals they are is critical in order to honor the 
 work of educators, restore respect to the teaching profession, 
 and create a high-quality public education system that serves 
 the needs of students, families, and teachers.

    (14) Most paraprofessionals and education support staff are 
 employed to work only 36 to 38 hours per week and are laid off 
 during the summer.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

 In this Act:

    (1) Annual adjustment percentage.--The term ``annual 
 adjustment percentage'', with respect to appropriations made 
 under this Act for a fiscal year, means a percentage equal to 
 the estimated percentage change in the Consumer Price Index, as 
 determined by the Secretary of Education, for the most recent 
 calendar year ending prior to the beginning of such fiscal 
 year.

    (2) Consumer price index.--The term ``Consumer Price 
 Index'' has the meaning given the term in 

section 478

    (f) of the 
 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087rr

    (f) ).

    (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
 of Education.

SEC. 5. REGULATIONS; SPECIAL RULE.

    (a) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations related to the 
implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, 
including the provisions of subsection
            (i) of 

section 1111, 

section 2253, and 2254 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6311), as added by this Act.

    (b) Special Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary may take such steps as the Secretary determines are 
reasonably necessary to implement the provisions of this Act and the 
amendments made by this Act.

 TITLE I--INCREASING FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN OUR NATION'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SEC. 101. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PART A OF TITLE I OF THE ESEA.

 In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to carry out part A of title I of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.)--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $36,813,604,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
 increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 102. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR RURAL EDUCATION.

 In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to carry out part B of title V of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7341 et seq.)--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $440,000,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
 increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 103. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR IMPACT AID.

 In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to provide payments for eligible federally connected children 
under 

section 7003

    (b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7703

    (b) )--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $1,474,000,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
 increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 104. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION.

 In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Bureau to be allocated by the Director of the Bureau for programs or 
activities operated or funded by the Bureau for Bureau-funded schools--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $1,131,000,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
 increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

 TITLE II--SUPPORTING OUR NATION'S EDUCATORS

 PART A--ENSURING TEACHERS ARE PAID A LIVABLE AND COMPETITIVE WAGE

SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart 1 of part A of title I of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 1120. DEFINITIONS RELATING TO TEACHER SALARIES.

 ``

    (a) In General.--In this subpart:
 ``

    (1) Annual adjustment percentage.--The term `annual 
 adjustment percentage', with respect to a fiscal year, means a 
 percentage equal to the estimated percentage change in the 
 Consumer Price Index, as determined by the Secretary, for the 
 most recent calendar year ending prior to the beginning of such 
 fiscal year.
 ``

    (2) Annual base salary.--The term `annual base salary'--
 ``
        (A) means the base salary, calculated as an 
 annual rate of pay, of a full-time teacher; and
 ``
        (B) excludes--
 ``
            (i) any additional compensation earned by 
 the teacher for taking on additional 
 responsibilities (such as coaching or teaching 
 during the summer or after school); and
 ``
            (ii) bonuses, stipends, and awards.
 ``

    (3) Consumer price index.--The term `Consumer Price 
 Index' has the meaning given the term in 

section 478

    (f) of the 
 Higher Education Act of 1965.
 ``

    (4) Minimum salary for teachers.--The term `minimum 
 salary for teachers' means an amount, determined by the State, 
 that all full-time teachers employed by a local educational 
 agency are, at a minimum, required by the State to be 
 compensated by such agency as their annual base salary, and 
 which--
 ``
        (A) for teachers in their first year of teaching, 
 shall be an annual rate of pay that is not less than 
 the amount described in subsection

    (b) ; and
 ``
        (B) for teachers with more than 2 years of 
 experience, shall be an annual rate of pay that--
 ``
            (i) is greater than the amount described 
 in subsection

    (b) ; and
 ``
            (ii) increases as the experience of a 
 teacher increases.
 ``

    (5) Teacher.--The term `teacher' means--
 ``
        (A) an employee of a local educational agency--
 ``
            (i) with a primary duty of teaching and 
 who is employed and engaged in teaching in a 
 public elementary school or secondary school 
 served by such agency and is not a substitute 
 teacher;
 ``
            (ii) who fully meets all applicable 
 public elementary school or secondary school 
 teacher certification and licensure 
 requirements of the State in which the school 
 is located; and
 ``
            (iii) if the teacher is a special 
 education teacher, who meets the qualifications 
 described in 

section 612

    (a)

    (14)
            (C) of the 
 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; 
 and
 ``
        (B) other full-time public elementary school or 
 secondary school personnel employed by a local 
 educational agency whose annual base salary is 
 determined in accordance with such agency's salary 
 schedule or system for a full-time teacher.
 ``

    (b) Special Rule.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--For each fiscal year, the amount 
 described in subsection

    (a)

    (4)
        (A) shall be determined under 
 this subsection.
 ``

    (2) Fiscal years 2026 through 2030.--For each of fiscal 
 years 2026 through 2030, the amount described in subsection

    (a)

    (4)
        (A) is $60,000.
 ``

    (3) Fiscal years 2031 and after.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--For the fiscal year period 2031 
 through 2035 and for each subsequent 5 fiscal year 
 period, the amount described in subsection

    (a)

    (4)
        (A) shall be adjusted for inflation as described in 
 subparagraph
        (B) .
 ``
        (B) Determination.--The amount shall be equal to 
 the amount applicable for the previous 5 fiscal year 
 period, increased by the greater of--
 ``
            (i) the aggregate annual adjustment 
 percentage over the previous 5 fiscal years; or
 ``
            (ii) 2 percent of the amount applicable 
 under this subsection for the previous 5 fiscal 
 year period.''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in 

section 2 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to 

section 1119 the following:

``

Sec. 1120. Definitions.''.

SEC. 202. STATE TEACHER PAY PLAN ADDENDUM.

 

Section 1111

    (g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311

    (g) ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (5) State teacher pay plan addendum.--Not later than 1 
 year after the date on which the Secretary issues final rules 
 related to the implementation of the Pay Teachers Act in 
 accordance with 

section 5 of such Act, a State that receives 
 assistance under this part shall submit the State's Teacher Pay 
 Plan Addendum to the Secretary in accordance with the 
 procedures and requirements determined by the Secretary. The 
 State's Teacher Pay Plan Addendum shall include each of the 
 following:
 ``
        (A) A description of the State's plan to provide 
 a competitive salary regularly throughout the career of 
 public elementary school and secondary school teachers, 
 including an assurance that the State will--
 ``
            (i) under the timeline specified in 
 subsection
            (i) (2) , comply with subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of subsection
            (i) (2) ; or
 ``
            (ii) not later than 1 year after the date 
 the Secretary issues final rules in accordance 
 with 

section 5 of the Pay Teachers Act, submit 
 a request to the Secretary to participate in 
 the Teacher Salary Improvement pathway and for 
 an extended timeline to comply with the teacher 
 salary requirements described in subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of subsection
            (i) (1) , if the State 
 meets the eligibility criteria described in 
 subsection
            (i) (3) .
 ``
        (B) A description of the State's plan to increase 
 the State's per-pupil expenditures or the aggregate 
 expenditures of the State with respect to the provision 
 of free public education in the State, in a manner 
 that--
 ``
            (i) supports local educational agencies 
 in increasing salaries or wages for teachers, 
 paraprofessionals, specialized instructional 
 support personnel, classified school employees, 
 principals, other school leaders, school 
 librarians, school bus drivers, and other staff 
 across their careers, including through 
 providing increased resources to local 
 educational agencies; and
 ``
            (ii) does not--
 ``
            (I) increase average class sizes 
 or student to full-time equivalent 
 teacher ratios at the State, local 
 educational agency, or school level;
 ``
            (II) reduce planning time; or
 ``
            (III) require teachers to teach 
 additional classes.
 ``
            (C) An identification, with respect to the 
 average teacher salary baselines (as such term is 
 defined in subsection
            (i) (3)
        (A)
            (i) ) in the most recent 
 fiscal year, of the statewide average and the average 
 in each local educational agency in the State.
 ``
            (D) An identification of the number and 
 percentage of teachers employed by local educational 
 agencies in the State who earn a salary of less than 
 $60,000 annually, disaggregated by each period of 
 service specified in subsection
            (i) (3)
        (A)
            (i) , across 
 the State and in each such local educational agency.
 ``
        (E) A description of the State's plan to comply 
 with the equitable distribution of teachers requirement 
 under paragraph

    (1)
        (B) .''.

SEC. 203. PAYING TEACHERS LIVABLE AND COMPETITIVE SALARIES AND WAGES.

 

Section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6311) is amended--

    (1) by redesignating subsections
            (i) ,

    (j) ,

    (k) , and
            (l) , as 
 subsections

    (k) ,
            (l) ,
            (m) , and

    (n) , respectively; and

    (2) by inserting after subsection

    (h) the following:
 ``
            (i) Improving Teacher Salaries.--
 ``

    (1) Improving teacher salaries.--
 ``
        (A) Minimum salary for teachers.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--Subject to paragraphs

    (2) and

    (3) , a State that receives assistance 
 under this part shall ensure that the annual 
 base salary of a full-time teacher employed by 
 a local educational agency in the State is not 
 less than the minimum salary for teachers 
 determined by such State.
 ``
            (ii) Compliance.--To comply with clause
            (i) , a State shall adopt one or more of the 
 following laws or policies, to guarantee no 
 full-time teacher shall receive an annual base 
 salary that is less than the minimum salary for 
 teachers:
 ``
            (I) A statewide minimum annual 
 base salary schedule for teachers that 
 increases as the experience of a 
 teacher increases.
 ``
            (II) A statewide minimum annual 
 base salary for teachers who are in 
 their first year of teaching.
 ``
            (III) A State law to increase 
 salaries for teachers.
 ``
        (B) Livable and competitive salaries for 
 teachers.--Subject to paragraphs

    (2) and

    (3) , a State 
 that receives assistance under this part shall 
 demonstrate that all teachers employed by local 
 educational agencies in the State are compensated with 
 a livable and competitive salary for teachers, which 
 shall be an amount that--
 ``
            (i) is at least the minimum salary for 
 teachers;
 ``
            (ii) increases throughout each teacher's 
 career; and
 ``
            (iii) is at least commensurate with 
 annual salaries for college-educated and 
 experienced professionals in the region in 
 which such agencies are located, as determined 
 in accordance with procedures and requirements 
 established by the Secretary.
 ``

    (2) Timing.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
 subparagraph
        (B) , the Secretary shall ensure that, not 
 later than 4 years after the date of implementation of 
 the final regulations issued in accordance with 

section 5 of the Pay Teachers Act, each State that receives 
 assistance under this part meets the teacher salary 
 requirements described in subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of 
 paragraph

    (1) .
 ``
        (B) Exception.--A State, if eligible, may request 
 and be approved by the Secretary to participate in the 
 Teacher Salary Improvement pathway described in 
 paragraph

    (3) that provides an extended timeline to 
 comply with the teacher salary requirements described 
 in subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of paragraph

    (1) .
 ``

    (3) Teacher salary improvement pathway.--
 ``
        (A) === Definitions. ===
-In this paragraph:
 ``
            (i) Average teacher salary baselines.--
 The term `average teacher salary baselines' 
 means, for each of the following years of 
 service as teachers, the average annual base 
 salaries of all full-time teachers employed by 
 local educational agencies in the State:
 ``
            (I) 0 years, or starting teacher 
 salaries.
 ``
            (II) 3 years.
 ``
            (III) 5 years.
 ``
            (IV) 10 years.
 ``
            (V) 15 years.
 ``
            (VI) 20 years.
 ``
            (VII) 25 years.
 ``
            (ii) Eligible improvement state.--The 
 term `eligible improvement State' means a 
 State--
 ``
            (I) that had an annual starting 
 statewide teacher salary average that 
 was less than $45,000 in fiscal year 
 2025;
 ``
            (II) in which 50 percent or more 
 of the teachers employed by local 
 educational agencies in the State did 
 not receive an annual base salary of 
 $60,000 or more in fiscal year 2025; 
 and
 ``
            (III) that demonstrates to the 
 Secretary substantial need for the 
 extended timeline to comply with the 
 teacher salary requirements described 
 in subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of 
 paragraph

    (1) , and with respect to 
 which the Secretary determines that 
 providing such State with an extended 
 timeline would be equitable due to--
 ``

    (aa) exceptional or 
 uncontrollable circumstances, 
 such as a natural disaster or a 
 change in the organizational 
 structure of the State; or
 ``

    (bb) a precipitous 
 decline in the financial 
 resources of the State.
 ``
        (B) In general.--A State educational agency, on 
 behalf of an eligible improvement State, that desires 
 to participate in the Teacher Salary Improvement 
 pathway and needs an extended timeline to comply with 
 the teacher salary requirements described in 
 subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of paragraph

    (1) shall submit 
 a request to the Secretary to participate in the 
 Teacher Salary Improvement pathway, which shall include 
 a plan to increase teacher salaries that, at a minimum, 
 includes each of the following:
 ``
            (i) An identification, with respect to 
 the average teacher salary baselines, of the 
 statewide average and the average in each local 
 educational agency in the State, and an 
 assurance that the State will--
 ``
            (I) make such information 
 publicly available on the State 
 educational agency's website; and
 ``
            (II) update that information on 
 an annual basis.
 ``
            (ii) A timeline, consistent with the 
 goals required under clause
            (iii) , to ensure 
 that, not later than 6 years after the receipt 
 of approval to participate in the Teacher 
 Salary Improvement pathway under this 
 paragraph--
 ``
            (I) all teachers employed by 
 local educational agencies operating in 
 the State are paid not less than the 
 minimum salary for teachers; and
 ``
            (II) all teachers employed by 
 local educational agencies operating in 
 the State are compensated with a 
 livable and competitive salary, in 
 accordance with the requirements of 
 paragraph

    (1)
        (B) .
 ``
            (iii) For each fiscal year in the 
 timeline specified in clause
            (ii) , statewide 
 annual goals for increasing average teacher 
 salary baselines in a manner that--
 ``
            (I) annually proposes a 
 percentage increase in the average 
 teacher salary baselines, disaggregated 
 by each period of service described in 
 subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) ;
 ``
            (II) provides for the first 
 increase to occur not later than 2 
 fiscal years after the receipt of 
 approval to participate in the Teacher 
 Salary Improvement pathway; and
 ``
            (III) makes significant progress 
 toward ensuring that teachers are paid 
 an annual base salary in accordance 
 with the requirements specified in 
 subclauses
            (I) and
            (II) of clause
            (ii) by the end of the timeline described in 
 such clause.
 ``
            (iv) A description of the State's plan to 
 require all local educational agencies in the 
 State, for any fiscal year in which an agency 
 does not pay their teachers the minimum salary 
 for teachers, to--
 ``
            (I) at a minimum, increase the 
 salaries of the teachers employed by 
 such agency in accordance with the 
 statewide annual goals established in 
 clause
            (iii) for that fiscal year; and
 ``
            (II) ensure those increases in 
 salaries required under subclause
            (I) are aligned with the livable and 
 competitive salary requirements 
 described in paragraph

    (1)
        (B) .
 ``
            (v) An identification of the number of 
 teachers employed by local educational agencies 
 in the State who earn less than the minimum 
 salary for teachers, disaggregated by each 
 period of service described in subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) , across the State and employed by each 
 local educational agency.
 ``
            (vi) A description of the State's plan to 
 support local educational agencies in 
 increasing salaries or wages for teachers, 
 paraprofessionals, specialized instructional 
 support personnel, classified school employees, 
 principals, other school leaders, school 
 librarians, school bus drivers, and other staff 
 across their careers, including through 
 providing increased resources to local 
 educational agencies.
 ``
            (vii) A description of how the State will 
 meet the requirements described in 
 subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of paragraph

    (2) without--
 ``
            (I) increasing the average class 
 sizes or student to full-time 
 equivalent teacher ratios;
 ``
            (II) reducing planning time; or
 ``
            (III) requiring teachers to teach 
 additional classes at the State, local 
 educational agency, or school level.
 ``
            (viii) A description of how the State 
 will meet the equitable distribution 
 requirement under subsection

    (g)

    (1)
        (B) during 
 the period of the State's participation in the 
 Teacher Salary Pay Improvement pathway and 
 after the State exits the pathway.
 ``
            (C) Public comment.--A State educational agency 
 that submits an extension request to participate in the 
 Teacher Salary Improvement pathway under this paragraph 
 shall--
 ``
            (i) provide the public and any interested 
 local educational agency in the State with 
 notice and a reasonable and easily accessible 
 opportunity to comment and provide input on the 
 request;
 ``
            (ii) submit a summary of the comments to 
 the Secretary, with a description of how the 
 State addressed the comments, and make such 
 summary with description publicly available on 
 the website of the State educational agency; 
 and
 ``
            (iii) provide notice and a reasonable 
 time to comment to the public and local 
 educational agencies.
 ``
            (D) Duration and repeat requests to participate 
 in the teacher salary improvement pathway.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--A request approved by 
 the Secretary under this paragraph may be for a 
 period of not more than 6 years.
 ``
            (ii) Revising goals.--If a State 
 demonstrates to the Secretary that such State 
 is making substantial progress in meeting its 
 statewide annual goals described in 
 subparagraph
        (B)
            (iii) and demonstrates the need 
 for additional flexibility to revise such goals 
 to continue to make substantial progress in 
 reaching the requirements described in 
 subclauses
            (I) and
            (II) of subparagraph
        (B)
            (ii) , such State may, not earlier than 3 
 years after such State's request to participate 
 in the Teacher Salary Improvement pathway was 
 approved by the Secretary, revise their 
 statewide annual goals described in 
 subparagraph
        (B)
            (iii) if the Secretary 
 determines such revisions will help the State 
 continue to make significant progress in 
 meeting such requirements.
 ``
            (iii) Subsequent requests to participate 
 in the teacher salary improvement pathway.--A 
 State educational agency that wishes to receive 
 an additional approval to participate in the 
 Teacher Salary Improvement pathway under this 
 paragraph shall submit a new request, in 
 accordance with the requirements of 
 subparagraphs
        (B) and
            (C) , if the State 
 demonstrates that the initial request has been 
 effective in enabling the State to increase 
 teacher salaries in a manner that made 
 significant progress in reaching the 
 requirements described in subclauses
            (I) and
            (II) of subparagraph
        (B)
            (ii) .
 ``
        (E) Determinations and revision.--
 ``
            (i) Determinations.--The Secretary shall 
 issue a written determination regarding the 
 initial approval or disapproval of a request to 
 participate in the Teacher Salary Improvement 
 pathway not more than 60 days after the date on 
 which such request is submitted. Initial 
 disapproval of such request shall be based on 
 the determination of the Secretary that--
 ``
            (I) the request does not meet the 
 requirements of this paragraph; or
 ``
            (II) the State's plan to increase 
 teacher salaries under subparagraph
        (B) is not designed to make significant 
 progress within a reasonable timeline 
 to ensure that--
 ``

    (aa) all teachers 
 employed by local educational 
 agencies in the State are paid 
 not less than the minimum 
 salary for teachers; and
 ``

    (bb) all teachers 
 employed by local educational 
 agencies in the State are 
 compensated with a livable and 
 competitive salary, in 
 accordance with the 
 requirements in paragraph

    (1)
        (B) .
 ``
            (ii) Revision and disapproval.--The 
 Secretary shall act on requests to participate 
 in the Teacher Salary Improvement pathway under 
 this paragraph in a manner that is similar to 
 the actions of the Secretary for waiver 
 revision and disapproval under subparagraphs
        (B) and
            (C) of 

section 8401

    (b)

    (4) .
 ``
        (F) Reports.--For each fiscal year for which a 
 State educational agency participates in the Teacher 
 Salary Improvement pathway under this paragraph, such 
 agency shall prepare and submit an annual report to the 
 Secretary, which shall include--
 ``
            (i) updated average teacher salary 
 baselines for that fiscal year, disaggregated 
 by the statewide average and the average in 
 each local educational agency in the State;
 ``
            (ii) a description of how the State and 
 local educational agencies in the State 
 increased the average teacher salary baselines 
 in a manner consistent with the statewide 
 annual goals for the corresponding fiscal year, 
 as described in subparagraph
        (B)
            (iii) ;
 ``
            (iii) a description that includes--
 ``
            (I) updated data on the number of 
 teachers employed by local educational 
 agencies in the State who earn less 
 than the minimum salary for teachers, 
 disaggregated by each period of service 
 described in subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) , 
 across the State and employed by each 
 local educational agency;
 ``
            (II) the identification of local 
 educational agencies that have 
 increased the number of teachers who 
 earn less than the minimum salary for 
 teachers; and
 ``
            (III) the actions the State 
 educational agency will take in the 
 next fiscal year to support local 
 educational agencies described in 
 subclause
            (II) in decreasing the number 
 of teachers employed by such agencies 
 who earn less than the minimum salary 
 for teachers;
 ``
            (iv) a description of actions taken by 
 the State to increase the State's per-pupil 
 expenditures or the aggregate expenditures of 
 the State with respect to the provision of free 
 public education in the State, in a manner 
 that--
 ``
            (I) supports local educational 
 agencies in increasing salaries or 
 wages for teachers, paraprofessionals, 
 specialized instructional support 
 personnel, classified school employees, 
 principals, other school leaders, 
 school librarians, school bus drivers, 
 and other staff across their careers, 
 including through providing increased 
 resources to local educational 
 agencies; and
 ``
            (II) does not--
 ``

    (aa) increase average 
 class sizes or student to full-
 time equivalent teacher ratios 
 at the State, local educational 
 agency, or school level;
 ``

    (bb) reduce planning 
 time; or
 ``
            (cc) require teachers to 
 teach additional classes; and
 ``
            (v) a description of how the State 
 improved the equitable distribution of teachers 
 in such fiscal year, as required under 
 subsection

    (g)

    (1)
        (B) .''.

SEC. 204. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND RELATED RULES.

 

Section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6311), as amended by 

section 203, is further amended by 
inserting after subsection
            (i) the following:
 ``

    (j) Rules.--
 ``

    (1) Rule of construction for collective bargaining.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
        (B) , 
 nothing in subsection
            (i) shall be construed to alter 
 or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and 
 procedures afforded to school or local educational 
 agency employees under Federal, State, or local laws 
 (including applicable regulations or court orders) or 
 under the terms of collective bargaining agreements, 
 memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between 
 such employers and their employees.
 ``
        (B) Compliance.--Subparagraph
        (A) shall not be 
 construed to exempt a State, local educational agency, 
 or school from complying with subsection
            (i) or from 
 negotiating in compliance with State labor laws to 
 comply with subsection
            (i) .
 ``

    (2) Rule of construction for additional pay or other 
 salary augmenting systems.--Nothing in subsection
            (i) shall be 
 construed to prevent States or local educational agencies from 
 supplementing the annual base salary of teachers or other staff 
 employed by such agencies--
 ``
        (A) for additional skills, knowledge, duties, and 
 responsibilities;
 ``
        (B) by salary systems that increase teachers' 
 compensation through supplemental pay that is not part 
 of an annual base salary; or
 ``
            (C) through the provision of bonuses, stipends, 
 or awards.
 ``

    (3) No waiver authority.--

Section 8401 shall not apply to 
 subsection
            (i) .''.

PART B--MODERNIZING THE TEACHING PROFESSION TO IMPROVE STUDENT LEARNING

SEC. 211. DEFINITIONS.

 Subpart 4 of part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:

 ``Subpart 5--Modernizing the Teaching Profession

``

SEC. 2251. DEFINITIONS.

 ``In this subpart:
 ``

    (1) In general.--The definitions of `annual base salary' 
 and `teacher' in 

section 1120

    (a) shall apply.
 ``

    (2) Career ladder.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term `career ladder' means a 
 staffing system that advances the teaching profession 
 by providing teachers with opportunities for additional 
 responsibilities, adjusted roles, and corresponding 
 salary increases and that--
 ``
            (i) enables teachers, principals, other 
 school leaders, paraprofessionals, and 
 education support staff to experience 
 distributed leadership, shared accountability, 
 and collaborative professional learning;
 ``
            (ii) promotes professional learning, 
 expertise, and retention by differentiating 
 roles in schools based on teachers' skills, 
 expertise, and interests; and
 ``
            (iii) provides for professional 
 advancement and other recognition based on 
 teacher impact on improving teaching and 
 learning.
 ``
        (B) Implementation.--For the purpose of 

section 2253, the system described in subparagraph
        (A) is 
 composed of levels defined in the State's plan 
 described in 

section 2253

    (f) where salary increases are 
 associated with levels of the State's career ladder.
 ``

    (3) Subgroup of students.--The term `subgroup of 
 students' means each subgroup of students described in 

section 1111

    (h)

    (1)
            (C) 
            (ii) .''.

SEC. 212. STATE COMMISSIONS TO ADVANCE THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

 Subpart 5 of part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), as added by 

section 211, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 2252. STATE COMMISSIONS TO ADVANCE THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Purpose ===
-The purpose of this section is to support States in 
developing recommendations about policy and the use of resources 
described in subsection

    (b)

    (4) to modernize and advance the teaching 
profession, in order to--
 ``

    (1) ensure that all students in the United States have 
 access to experienced and qualified teachers who will help 
 those students succeed at the same rates as students in the 
 world's highest-performing education systems;
 ``

    (2) address structural and organizational deficiencies in 
 the teaching profession, in order to--
 ``
        (A) raise the standards, status, and salaries of 
 the teaching profession; and
 ``
        (B) attract and retain promising and talented 
 young people to teaching; and
 ``

    (3) identify and reform policies and practices at the 
 State, local educational agency, and school-level to promote 
 excellent teaching for all students, particularly subgroups of 
 students.
 ``

    (b) Authorization of Grants.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated under 
 subsection

    (g) , after making the reservations described in 
 paragraph

    (2) , the Secretary shall award grants, on a 
 competitive basis, to States (such as a State educational 
 agency, a Governor, an entity designated by the Governor, or a 
 consortium of State agencies) that have submitted applications 
 described in subsection
            (d) to develop and operate State 
 commissions to develop recommendations about policy and the use 
 of resources described in subsection

    (b)

    (4) to modernize and 
 advance the teaching profession, in accordance with this 
 section.
 ``

    (2) Reservations.--From the total amount appropriated 
 under subsection

    (g) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
 reserve--
 ``
        (A) 1 percent to inform students, parents, 
 teachers, principals, other school leaders, specialized 
 instructional support personnel, education system 
 leaders, policymakers, and researchers about the 
 recommendations made by States supported under this 
 section and related findings to modernize and advance 
 the teaching profession;
 ``
        (B) 2 percent for technical assistance and 
 program administration; and
 ``
            (C) 3 percent to provide grants, contracts, or 
 cooperative agreements to regional educational 
 laboratories (established under 

section 174 of the 
 Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9564)) 
 or qualified nonprofit organizations with demonstrated 
 experience in research and practice related to teaching 
 and learning to assist States that receive grants under 
 this section in--
 ``
            (i) conducting applied research and data 
 analysis;
 ``
            (ii) summarizing and reporting on 
 policies and practices from the world's 
 highest-performing school systems; and
 ``
            (iii) implementing recommendations to 
 modernize and advance the teaching profession, 
 improve instruction, and improve students' 
 access to experienced and qualified teachers.
 ``

    (3) State grants.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--A State receiving a grant under 
 paragraph

    (1) shall use not less than 75 percent of the 
 grant funds to develop and operate a State commission 
 that meets the requirements of this paragraph (referred 
 to in this section as the `State Commission').
 ``
        (B) State reservations.--A State receiving a 
 grant under paragraph

    (1) may reserve not more than 25 
 percent of the total grant amount received by the State 
 for technical assistance, administrative purposes, and 
 public information efforts related to the activities 
 and recommendations of the State Commission.
 ``
            (C) Membership.--A State that receives a grant to 
 operate a State Commission under this section shall 
 ensure that--
 ``
            (i) not less than half of the members of 
 the State Commission are current or former 
 teachers, and that, collectively, such 
 members--
 ``
            (I) have diverse life experiences 
 and backgrounds;
 ``
            (II) serve students from urban, 
 suburban, and rural communities across 
 the State; and
 ``
            (III) include teachers at 
 different stages in their careers, 
 including novice, mid-career, veteran, 
 and retired teachers; and
 ``
            (ii) the State Commission includes not 
 less than 1 representative from each of the 
 following categories, to the greatest extent 
 practicable:
 ``
            (I) The Governor or a designated 
 representative.
 ``
            (II) The State educational agency 
 and the State teacher licensing or 
 credentialing agency.
 ``
            (III) State legislators.
 ``
            (IV) Current teachers.
 ``
            (V) Principals and other school 
 leaders, including superintendents.
 ``
            (VI) State and local school board 
 members.
 ``
            (VII) Labor organizations that 
 represent teachers, paraprofessionals, 
 and school support staff.
 ``
            (VIII) Civil rights 
 organizations.
 ``
            (IX) Institutions of higher 
 education, including deans of education 
 schools or programs operated by such 
 institutions.
 ``
            (X) State boards, local boards, 
 or other representatives of in-demand 
 industry sectors or occupations in the 
 State (as those terms are defined in 
 

section 3 of the Workforce Innovation 
 and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)).
 ``
            (XI) The State labor agency.
 ``
            (XII) Parents of students 
 enrolled in public schools in the 
 State, including parent teacher 
 associations, if applicable.
 ``
            (XIII) Representatives with 
 expertise in school finance.
 ``

    (4) Resources.--In developing recommendations about 
 policy and the use of resources to modernize and advance the 
 teaching profession, a State Commission shall analyze the use 
 and distribution of Federal, State, and local resources, 
 including in-kind resources, donations, and grant 
 opportunities, such as from philanthropic organizations, and 
 findings from resource inequity reviews described in 

section 1111
            (d) .
 ``
            (c) State Application.--In order to receive a grant under this 
section, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and including such information as the Secretary 
may reasonably require. Such application shall include each of the 
following:
 ``

    (1) The State's plan to develop and implement the State 
 Commission, which may be updated by the State as necessary.
 ``

    (2) A description of the State's efforts to regularly 
 engage students, parents, teachers, principals, other school 
 leaders, specialized instructional support personnel, education 
 system leaders, policymakers, and researchers in activities of 
 the State Commission.
 ``

    (3) An assurance that the State will develop a final 
 report that meets the reporting requirements in subsection

    (e) .
 ``
            (d) Uses of Funds.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--A State Commission supported under this 
 section shall--
 ``
        (A) review findings and research from high-
 performing and rapidly improving international 
 educational systems regarding policies to recruit, 
 retain, develop, and promote experienced and qualified 
 teachers that may be adaptable to the State's 
 educational context and challenges, such as--
 ``
            (i) incentivizing talented and motivated 
 students to pursue teaching careers;
 ``
            (ii) supporting effective pre-
 baccalaureate teacher preparation programs, as 
 described in 

section 202
            (d) of the Higher 
 Education Act of 1965, including paid clinical 
 experiences or practicums under the supervision 
 of expert mentor teachers to ensure that novice 
 teachers have mastered the curricula and 
 subject they plan to teach;
 ``
            (iii) advancing the teaching profession 
 through career ladders that provide skilled 
 teachers with additional responsibilities, 
 adjusted roles, and increased compensation; and
 ``
            (iv) developing the conditions for 
 teachers, principals, and school leaders to 
 collaborate, utilize research methods, and 
 utilize differentiated teaching roles to 
 continuously improve and adapt instruction to 
 improve students' educational opportunities and 
 academic outcomes, which may include examining 
 how States and local educational agencies 
 organize schools and the school day to foster 
 opportunities for greater collaboration and 
 improved student belonging;
 ``
        (B) develop policy and resource use 
 recommendations to modernize and advance the teaching 
 profession, in order to--
 ``
            (i) ensure all students in the State are 
 taught by experienced and qualified teachers to 
 improve student outcomes, including academic 
 achievement and access to high-quality 
 educational opportunities;
 ``
            (ii) address structural and 
 organizational deficiencies in the teaching 
 profession, informed by activities described in 
 subparagraph
        (A) ; and
 ``
            (iii) identify and reform policies and 
 practices at the State, local educational 
 agency, and school-level to promote excellent 
 teaching for all students, particularly 
 subgroups of students;
 ``
            (C) examine students' access to in-field, 
 experienced, and qualified teachers in the State, 
 including any discrepancies in such access for all 
 students in the State and for students in the State 
 disaggregated by--
 ``
            (i) each subgroup of students; and
 ``
            (ii) students enrolled in urban, 
 suburban, and rural schools served by local 
 educational agencies;
 ``
            (D) examine short and long-term trends in the 
 State's teaching workforce, such as--
 ``
            (i) the number of positions filled by 
 teachers who are not fully certified or 
 licensed for the subject or subjects they are 
 teaching;
 ``
            (ii) the number of teaching positions 
 left vacant;
 ``
            (iii) teacher retention and turnover;
 ``
            (iv) teacher perceptions of learning 
 conditions, such as teacher burnout and high 
 stress rates;
 ``
            (v) the availability of teacher wellness 
 supports;
 ``
            (vi) interest among students in pursuing 
 teaching careers and the number of teacher 
 candidates in the State; and
 ``
            (vii) occupational prestige and on-the-
 job satisfaction;
 ``
        (E) examine whether teachers, paraprofessionals, 
 and education support staff are paid a livable and 
 competitive salary or wage that is at least 
 commensurate with annual salaries for similarly-
 educated and experienced professionals in the region in 
 which the local educational agencies they are employed 
 by are located;
 ``
        (F) conduct educator workplace surveys or studies 
 to receive input from teachers, paraprofessionals, and 
 education support staff in the activities of the 
 Commission; and
 ``
        (G) regularly engage and inform the public about 
 such Commission's activities and findings.
 ``

    (2) Additional activities.--A State commission supported 
 under this section may--
 ``
        (A) examine the quality, affordability, and rigor 
 of the State's teacher certification or licensure 
 pathways, such as--
 ``
            (i) the effectiveness of teacher 
 preparation programs that serve the State, 
 including alignment with the State's standards 
 and evidence-based instructional practices and 
 development of teacher subject expertise; and
 ``
            (ii) the percentage of teachers whose 
 preparation includes paid clinical experiences 
 or practicums;
 ``
        (B) examine the career trajectory and experiences 
 of--
 ``
            (i) novice teachers, including--
 ``
            (I) the number of local 
 educational agencies that operate 
 formal induction and mentoring 
 structures that provide novice teachers 
 additional support from experienced and 
 qualified veteran teachers in the same 
 subject or area;
 ``
            (II) the prevalence of novice 
 teachers that do not fully meet 
 applicable State certification and 
 licensure requirements in the area such 
 teachers are assigned to teach, 
 including examining whether subgroups 
 of students are disproportionately 
 taught by such teachers; and
 ``
            (III) retention rates, such as 
 identifying promising schools or local 
 educational agencies with high 
 retention rates;
 ``
            (ii) mid-career teachers, including--
 ``
            (I) whether teachers have had 
 opportunities for professional 
 advancement, such as--
 ``

    (aa) additional 
 responsibilities, adjusted 
 roles, and increased 
 compensation;
 ``

    (bb) incentives for 
 teachers to continuously 
 improve their practice and 
 skills; and
 ``
            (cc) structured 
 professional learning 
 activities;
 ``
            (II) whether the school day 
 provides teachers with structured time 
 to collaborate, conduct research and 
 measure innovative teaching practices, 
 and tutor students to improve students' 
 educational opportunities and academic 
 outcomes;
 ``
            (III) teacher retention and 
 mobility rates across schools and local 
 educational agencies; and
 ``
            (IV) professional satisfaction 
 and participation in teacher feedback 
 or appraisal systems to improve 
 teaching performance for all staff; and
 ``
            (iii) veteran teachers, including--
 ``
            (I) whether teachers have the 
 opportunity to mentor staff, support 
 school decisionmaking, and direct 
 professional learning to improve 
 teaching and learning;
 ``
            (II) identification of practices 
 that retain and reward experienced and 
 qualified teachers; and
 ``
            (III) interviews or research on 
 effective teacher retention strategies 
 and why such teachers have remained in 
 their classrooms or profession;
 ``
            (C) examine whether State and local policies 
 promote aligned and evidence-based decisionmaking, 
 including whether teachers receive the subject-specific 
 professional learning, collaboration time, appraisal 
 and feedback opportunities, and high-quality 
 instructional materials necessary for their students to 
 succeed; and
 ``
            (D) develop and identify innovative practices to 
 improve teacher retention, satisfaction, and 
 instructional quality.
 ``

    (e) Reporting Requirements.--Not later than 5 years after 
receiving a grant under this section, a State Commission supported 
under this section shall--
 ``

    (1) publish a report to the public detailing the 
 activities of such Commission and the recommendations about 
 policy and the use of resources described in subsection

    (b)

    (4) within the State to modernize and advance the teaching 
 profession;
 ``

    (2) submit such report to the Governor, the State 
 educational agency, the State legislature, including to the 
 greatest extent practicable, the State legislature committee 
 with jurisdiction over education matters, and relevant public 
 agencies or associations within the State; and
 ``

    (3) submit such report to the Secretary.
 ``

    (f) Supplement Not Supplant.--Federal funds provided under this 
section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, 
State, or local funds available to carry out the activities described 
in this section.
 ``

    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated and there are appropriated, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out this section 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.

SEC. 213. ADVANCING THE TEACHING PROFESSION GRANTS.

 Subpart 5 of part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965, as added by 

section 211 and amended by 

section 212, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 2253. ADVANCING THE TEACHING PROFESSION GRANTS.

 ``

    (a) Purpose and Sense of Congress.--
 ``

    (1) === Purpose ===
-The purpose of this section is to expand 
 students' access to experienced and qualified teachers and to 
 improve working conditions in schools by--
 ``
        (A) supporting States in implementing a teacher 
 career ladder that--
 ``
            (i) incentivizes experienced and 
 qualified teachers to take additional 
 responsibilities and adjusted roles; and
 ``
            (ii) rewards such teachers with 
 additional compensation; and
 ``
        (B) ensuring every public school teacher in the 
 United States has the school supplies, equipment, and 
 instructional materials for their students to succeed.
 ``

    (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
 in the richest country in the history of the world--
 ``
        (A) America's teachers, just like in the world's 
 highest-performing education systems, should receive 
 professional advancement opportunities, including 
 additional responsibilities, differentiated roles, and 
 increased compensation to improve teaching and 
 learning; and
 ``
        (B) no teacher should be stressed or distracted 
 from teaching due to a lack of classroom resources.
 ``

    (b) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Award year.--The term `award year' means the period 
 beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the subsequent year.
 ``

    (2) Career ladder award.--The term `career ladder award' 
 means the amount that is equal to the amount determined by the 
 State for each individual level in the State's career ladder, 
 as described in the State's application under subsection

    (f) .
 ``

    (3) Eligible high-need public school.--The term `eligible 
 high-need public school' means an eligible public school that 
 enrolls a high number or high percentage of students from low-
 income backgrounds in a given school year, as defined by the 
 State pursuant to subsection

    (f)

    (1)
            (D) , which shall include, at 
 a minimum, any eligible public school that received funding 
 under part A of title I, in either of the previous 2 school 
 years.
 ``

    (4) Eligible public school.--The term `eligible public 
 school' means an elementary school or secondary school served 
 by a local educational agency in a State with an approved 
 application under subsection

    (f) .
 ``

    (5) Eligible teacher.--The term `eligible teacher' means 
 a full-time equivalent teacher who instructs students in an 
 eligible public school.
 ``

    (6) State.--The term `State' means each of the 50 States, 
 the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 ``

    (7) Teacher.--The term `teacher' has the meaning given 
 the term in 

section 1120.
 ``
            (c) Program Authorized.--
 ``

    (1) Grants authorized.--From amounts appropriated under 
 subsection

    (h) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award 
 grants, from allotments under subsection
            (d) , to States having 
 applications approved under subsection

    (f) to--
 ``
        (A) subsidize the development and implementation 
 of career ladders that advance the teaching profession 
 by incentivizing teachers to take on additional 
 responsibilities and adjusted roles with increased 
 compensation; and
 ``
        (B) provide teachers with annual flexible awards 
 to support their classrooms and improve their students' 
 educational opportunities and academic outcomes, which 
 shall be in an amount that is not less than--
 ``
            (i) $1,200 per school year for such 
 teachers serving students in eligible high-need 
 public schools; and
 ``
            (ii) $1,000 per school year for such 
 teachers serving students in eligible public 
 schools not described in clause
            (i) .
 ``

    (2) Non-federal share requirement.--A State that receives 
 a grant under this section shall provide a non-Federal share of 
 funds for an award year from non-Federal sources in an amount 
 that is equal to 25 percent of the amount required to make 
 awards to all eligible teachers during the award year.
 ``
            (d) Determination of Allotment.--
 ``

    (1) First award year of the program.--The Secretary shall 
 allot, to each eligible State that submits its first 
 application under subsection

    (f) for a grant under subsection
            (c) for the first award year of the program under this section, 
 an amount that is equal to the product of--
 ``
        (A) $1,000; and
 ``
        (B) the number of eligible teachers in such State 
 (as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the 
 most recent reliable data, such as administrative data 
 or data collected through sampling methodologies).
 ``

    (2) Subsequent award years.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall allot to 
 each eligible State submitting an approved application 
 under subsection

    (f) for a grant under subsection
            (c) for a second or subsequent award year, an amount equal 
 to the sum of--
 ``
            (i) the amount described in subparagraph
        (B) for career ladder awards; and
 ``
            (ii) the amount described in subparagraph
            (C) for classroom awards.
 ``
        (B) Career ladder award amounts.--In a second or 
 subsequent award year, the amount that shall be 
 allotted to States in accordance with subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) shall be equal to the sum of the products, per 
 each individual level submitted under subsection

    (f)

    (1)
        (A)
            (i) , of--
 ``
            (i) the estimated number of eligible 
 teachers who have attained a given individual 
 level on the career ladder, as submitted under 
 subsection

    (f)

    (1)
        (A)
            (vi) , during the award 
 year; and
 ``
            (ii) the amount of the minimum salary 
 increase associated with such level, as 
 submitted under subsection

    (f)

    (1)
        (A)
            (ii) .
 ``
            (C) Classroom awards amounts.--In a second or 
 subsequent award year, the amount that shall be 
 allotted to States in accordance with subparagraph
        (A)
            (ii) shall be equal to the sum of--
 ``
            (i) the product of the estimated number 
 of eligible teachers serving students in 
 eligible high-need public schools during the 
 award year (based on the data submitted as part 
 of such State's application) and $1,200; and
 ``
            (ii) the product of the estimated number 
 of eligible teachers serving students in 
 eligible public schools not described in clause
            (i) during the award year (based on the data 
 submitted as part of such State's application) 
 and $1,000.
 ``

    (3) Actual teacher counts.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--By not later than November 1 of 
 the second award year for which a State receives an 
 allotment under paragraph

    (2) and each subsequent award 
 year, such State shall report to the Secretary--
 ``
            (i) per each individual level submitted 
 under subsection

    (f) , its actual head count of 
 the teachers who has attained a given 
 individual level on the career ladder for the 
 preceding award year; and
 ``
            (ii) the actual head count of eligible 
 teachers and how many of such teachers served 
 students in eligible high-need public schools 
 for the preceding award year.
 ``
        (B) Adjustments.--If the actual counts for the 
 preceding award year reported under subparagraph
        (A) --
 ``
            (i) exceeds the number of teachers that 
 was used for determining the allotment for such 
 preceding award year, notwithstanding any other 
 provision of this section, the allotment for 
 the subsequent award year in which the November 
 1 date falls for the State shall be increased 
 to reflect such actual count of teachers; or
 ``
            (ii) is less than the number of teachers 
 that was used for determining the allotment for 
 such preceding award year, notwithstanding any 
 other provision of this section, the allotment 
 for the subsequent award year in which the 
 November 1 date falls for the State shall be 
 decreased to reflect such actual count of 
 teachers.
 ``

    (e) Requirements.--In order to be eligible to receive an 
allotment under this section for a second or subsequent award year, as 
described in subsection
            (d) (2) , a State shall comply with the 
following, as applicable:
 ``

    (1) Career ladder award program.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Each State that receives a grant 
 under this section shall develop a program that 
 supports local educational agencies in developing and 
 implementing locally-driven career ladders to expand 
 students' access to experienced and qualified teachers.
 ``
        (B) Levels.--The State's career ladder program 
 described in subparagraph
        (A) shall, at a minimum--
 ``
            (i) be composed of levels (as described 
 under subsection

    (f)

    (1)
        (A)
            (i) of the State 
 plan) under which--
 ``
            (I) eligible teachers may 
 progress and earn additional 
 responsibilities and roles; and
 ``
            (II) States may include flexible 
 descriptions of additional roles or 
 responsibilities assigned to such 
 levels that are subsequently adapted by 
 local educational agencies' locally-
 driven career ladders with additional 
 specifications; and
 ``
            (ii) for each level described in clause
            (i) , assign a minimum salary increase (as 
 described under subsection

    (f)

    (1)
        (A)
            (ii) ) for 
 each eligible teacher who attains such a level.
 ``
            (C) Career ladder levels.--
 ``
            (i) Development.--A State shall engage 
 and coordinate with local educational agencies 
 and public schools in developing and 
 implementing levels described in subparagraph
        (B)
            (i) , including in determining the additional 
 responsibilities, roles, and salary increase 
 (as described in subparagraph
        (B) ) associated 
 with each level.
 ``
            (ii) Examples of level.--A State may 
 define the following levels:
 ``
            (I) A mentor eligible teacher who 
 is responsible for supporting teacher 
 induction programs, mentoring novice 
 teachers, or who supervises teacher 
 candidates, including students 
 participating in clinical experiences 
 or practicums as part of their teacher 
 preparation pathway.
 ``
            (II) An eligible teacher with 
 coaching responsibilities (such as 
 literacy coaching) or leading teacher 
 collaboratives.
 ``
            (III) An eligible teacher who 
 earns or maintains a national 
 certification that requires the 
 demonstration of advanced teaching 
 skills (such as the National Board 
 Certification) or a master's degree in 
 a critical subject or specialty 
 shortage.
 ``
            (IV) An eligible teacher who 
 supports collaboration to 
 systematically improve instruction, 
 curricula, and job-embedded 
 professional learning, such as teacher 
 appraisal opportunities and feedback to 
 improve teaching and learning.
 ``
            (V) An eligible teacher who is on 
 a teacher leadership track to become a 
 principal or other school leader.
 ``
            (iii) Specifications.--For each level in 
 a State's career ladder program, a local 
 educational agency in the State may place 
 additional reasonable specifications to align 
 the level to such agency's locally driven 
 career ladder, in accordance with subparagraph
            (D) .
 ``
            (D) Local implementation.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--Each State that receives 
 a grant under this section shall ensure that 
 local educational agencies in the State receive 
 the technical assistance and resources 
 necessary to participate in the State's career 
 ladder program described in this paragraph and 
 develop and implement a locally-driven career 
 ladder to expand students' access to 
 experienced and qualified teachers.
 ``
            (ii) Local implementation.--A local 
 educational agency, in accordance with the 
 State's requirements for the State's career 
 ladder program described in this paragraph, 
 shall--
 ``
            (I) develop a locally-driven 
 career ladder that adapts each level 
 and the minimum salary increases in the 
 State's career ladder program described 
 in subparagraph
        (B) to align with such 
 local educational agency's goals, 
 strategies, and local context;
 ``
            (II) provide opportunities for 
 eligible teachers employed by such 
 local educational agency to progress 
 levels and earn additional 
 responsibilities, roles, and agency;
 ``
            (III) ensure that principals, 
 other school leaders, superintendents, 
 and other staff receive the training 
 and professional learning necessary to 
 support local adaptation and effective 
 implementation of such agency's 
 locally-driven career ladder; and
 ``
            (IV) develop a locally-driven 
 career ladder in a manner that does not 
 alter or otherwise affect the rights, 
 remedies, or procedures afforded to 
 school or local educational agency 
 employees under Federal, State, or 
 local laws (including applicable 
 regulations or court orders) or under 
 the terms of collective bargaining 
 agreements, memoranda of understanding, 
 or other agreements between such 
 employers and their employees.
 ``

    (2) Classroom award program.--A State that receives a 
 grant under this section shall develop and operate a 
 streamlined and transparent program that--
 ``
        (A) enables all eligible teachers in the State to 
 apply for and access classroom awards under this 
 section, especially eligible teachers in eligible high-
 need public schools;
 ``
        (B) is minimally burdensome to teachers, 
 principals, other school leaders, superintendents, 
 other staff, eligible public schools, and local 
 educational agencies;
 ``
            (C) enables eligible teachers to exercise their 
 professional judgement to purchase classroom supplies, 
 supplemental high-quality instructional materials, and 
 other resources to improve the educational experience 
 of their students;
 ``
            (D) enables eligible teachers to decide to pool 
 classroom awards to better serve students; and
 ``
        (E) may be implemented--
 ``
            (i) as a stipend or bonus provided to 
 eligible teachers prior to the start of the 
 school year during the award year; or
 ``
            (ii) under a reimbursement model where 
 eligible teachers submit applicable forms, 
 receipts, or invoices to principals, other 
 school leaders, or school administrators.
 ``

    (3) Engagement.--In carrying out requirements under this 
 subsection, a State that receives a grant under this section 
 shall, to the greatest extent practicable, engage students, 
 families, teachers, principals, other school leaders, educator 
 labor organizations, and researchers in developing and 
 operating programs supported by this section.
 ``

    (f) Application Requirements.--
 ``

    (1) State application.--Subject to paragraph

    (4) , for 
 each award year for which a State desires a grant under this 
 section, the State shall submit an application to the 
 Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may 
 require, including--
 ``
        (A) the State's plan to develop and operate a 
 career ladder award program that meets the requirements 
 described in subsection

    (e)

    (1) , including--
 ``
            (i) a description of each individual 
 level in the State's career ladder;
 ``
            (ii) per level--
 ``
            (I) the amount of the minimum 
 salary increase that eligible teachers 
 who attain each individual level 
 described in clause
            (i) will receive 
 during such award year, which may 
 include variations to account for 
 regional variance in the cost of 
 living;
 ``
            (II) the factors the State 
 considered in determining such amount; 
 and
 ``
            (III) an assurance that the State 
 will adjust such amount by inflation;
 ``
            (iii) an assurance that in developing 
 each individual level described in clause
            (i) , 
 the State will include a level that describes 
 eligible teachers who serve students in 
 eligible high-need public schools and will 
 provide such teachers with not less than a 
 $10,000 minimum salary increase;
 ``
            (iv) a description of the State's efforts 
 to support local educational agencies in 
 adopting and adapting a career ladder to 
 advance the teaching profession and improve 
 teaching and learning;
 ``
            (v) a description of how the State will 
 distribute career ladder awards to each 
 eligible teacher who attains each individual 
 level, in accordance with the requirements 
 under subsection

    (e)

    (1) ;
 ``
            (vi) per level, the estimated number of 
 eligible teachers who have attained each 
 individual level described in clause
            (i) during 
 the award year and an assurance that the State 
 will submit actual teacher counts, in 
 accordance with paragraph

    (2) ; and
 ``
            (vii) an assurance that the State will 
 develop and operate such a career ladder 
 program in a manner that does not alter or 
 otherwise affect the rights, remedies, or 
 procedures afforded to school or local 
 educational agency employees under Federal, 
 State, or local laws (including applicable 
 regulations or court orders) or under the terms 
 of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda 
 of understanding, or other agreements between 
 such employers and their employees, such as 
 contractual requirements for employers to 
 provide basic supplies to teachers;
 ``
        (B) the State's plan to develop and operate a 
 classroom award program that meets the requirements 
 described in subsection

    (e)

    (2) , including--
 ``
            (i) a description of how the State will 
 annually identify eligible teachers, eligible 
 public schools, and eligible high-need public 
 schools;
 ``
            (ii) the plan to distribute classroom 
 awards to eligible teachers, which may include 
 methods described in subsection

    (e)

    (2)
            (D) ;
 ``
            (iii) the plan to promote teacher 
 autonomy and decision-making in using classroom 
 awards to support their students' learning;
 ``
            (iv) the plan to support school leaders, 
 local educational agencies, and the public in 
 implementing the classroom awards program to 
 reduce burden and minimize waste, fraud, and 
 abuse;
 ``
            (v) the plan to monitor public schools 
 and local educational agencies to prevent 
 schools from supplanting local or State 
 funding, in accordance with 

section 2255
            (d) ; 
 and
 ``
            (vi) the plan to examine resource 
 inequities among schools to ensure that schools 
 and local educational agencies have the 
 resources and instructional materials necessary 
 for students to meet challenging State academic 
 standards, in a manner that does not require 
 teachers to pay for such materials out of 
 pocket;
 ``
            (C) the estimated number of eligible teachers 
 serving students in eligible high-need public schools 
 during the award year and an assurance that the State 
 will submit actual teacher counts, in accordance with 
 paragraph

    (2) ; and
 ``
            (D) the State's definition for eligible high-need 
 public school, including--
 ``
            (i) the State-determined threshold for 
 the number or percentage of students from low-
 income backgrounds; and
 ``
            (ii) the number of public schools that 
 meet such threshold.
 ``

    (2) Submission of actual teacher counts.--Each State that 
 submits an application described in paragraph

    (1) shall submit 
 additional data described in subsection
            (d) (3) to the 
 Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may 
 require.
 ``

    (3) First award year.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Notwithstanding the requirements 
 of paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary shall adapt application 
 requirements for a State that submits its first 
 application under subsection

    (f) for a grant under 
 subsection
            (c) for the first award year of the program 
 under this section.
 ``
        (B) Contents.--States shall submit an application 
 described in subparagraph
        (A) to the Secretary, at such 
 time and in such manner as the Secretary may require.
 ``

    (4) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall monitor and enforce 
 requirements under this section, including the requirements 
 described in subsection

    (e)

    (1)
            (D) 
            (ii) 
            (IV) and subsection

    (f)

    (1)
        (A)
            (vii) . The Secretary shall develop an appeals process 
 to resolve any potential non-compliance under such provisions.
 ``

    (g) Uses of Funds.--
 ``

    (1) Reservation.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Each State that receives a grant 
 under this section may reserve not more than 5 percent 
 of the grant funds, and the non-Federal share funds 
 required under subsection
            (c) (2) , for activities 
 described in subparagraph
        (B) .
 ``
        (B) Activities.--A State shall use any funds 
 reserved under subparagraph
        (A) --
 ``
            (i) to implement data-driven strategies 
 to mitigate inequities in students' access to 
 experienced and qualified teachers, such as 
 identifying and providing targeted support to 
 public schools, local educational agencies, and 
 regions with high rates of teacher vacancies or 
 of teachers who are not fully licensed 
 certified;
 ``
            (ii) to produce actionable insights for 
 students, teacher candidates, and institutions 
 of higher education regarding educator labor 
 market demand, particularly in high-need 
 subject areas, grade levels, and geographic 
 locations;
 ``
            (iii) to provide local educational 
 agencies and institutions of higher education 
 with models or predictions of future teacher 
 demand, shortages in specific subject, grades, 
 or credentials, and student enrollment shifts 
 to support planning;
 ``
            (iv) to support applied research, 
 development, data analysis, and synthesis of 
 research to improve teaching and learning (such 
 as through research-practice partnership) 
 that--
 ``
            (I) addresses research questions 
 raised by teachers, principals, and 
 other school leaders;
 ``
            (II) is responsive to the urgent 
 challenges facing students, teachers, 
 principals, other school leaders, 
 specialized instructional support 
 personnel, paraprofessionals, 
 administrators, and other staffs; and
 ``
            (III) promotes evidence use in 
 teaching and learning, including 
 through--
 ``

    (aa) coaching, mentoring, 
 and professional development, 
 and technical assistance in 
 identifying, selecting, 
 implementing, and adapting 
 evidence-based practices in 
 heterogeneous local educational 
 contexts;
 ``

    (bb) supporting 
 engagement among researchers, 
 practitioners, education system 
 leaders, and policymakers to 
 strengthen public education; 
 and
 ``
            (cc) promoting the status 
 and expertise of teachers, 
 principals, and other school 
 leaders in improving practice 
 and policy; and
 ``
            (v) for technical assistance, data 
 collection, and program administration.
 ``

    (2) Career ladder awards and classroom awards.--After 
 making the reservation described in paragraph

    (1) , each State 
 that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant 
 funds and the non-Federal share funds required under subsection
            (c) (2) , as applicable, to--
 ``
        (A) develop and operate a career ladder award 
 program that meets the requirements described in 
 subsection

    (e)

    (1) ; and
 ``
        (B) develop and operate a classroom award program 
 that meets the requirements described in subsection

    (e)

    (2) .
 ``

    (h) Authorization; Appropriations.--In addition to amounts 
otherwise available, there are authorized to be appropriated and there 
are appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to the Department of Education, such sums as may be 
necessary for fiscal year 2026 and each succeeding fiscal year to carry 
out this section.''.

SEC. 214. PAY PARAPROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF ACT.

 Subpart 5 of part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965, as added by 

section 211 and amended by sections 
212 and 213, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 2254. PAY PARAPROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF ACT.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Annual adjustment percentage.--The term `annual 
 adjustment percentage' has the meaning given the term in 
 

section 1120

    (a) .
 ``

    (2) Minimum salary for paraprofessional and education 
 support staff.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term `minimum salary for 
 paraprofessional and education support staff' means an 
 amount, determined by the State, that all full-time 
 equivalent employees employed by a local educational 
 agency are required by the State to be compensated by 
 such agency as their annual base salary, and which--
 ``
            (i) is greater than the amount described 
 in subparagraph
        (B) ; and
 ``
            (ii) increases as the experience of such 
 school staff increases.
 ``
        (B) Indexing salary growth to inflation.--
 ``
            (i) Fiscal years 2026 through 2030.--For 
 each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, the 
 amount described in this subparagraph is 
 $45,000.
 ``
            (ii) Fiscal years 2031 and after.--For 
 each fiscal year in the fiscal year period 2031 
 through 2035 and in each subsequent 5 fiscal 
 year period, the amount described this 
 subparagraph shall be equal to the amount 
 applicable for each fiscal year in the previous 
 5 fiscal year period, increased by the greater 
 of--
 ``
            (I) the aggregate annual 
 adjustment percentage over the previous 
 5 fiscal years; or
 ``
            (II) 2 percent of the amount 
 applicable under this subsection for 
 the previous 5 fiscal year period.
 ``

    (3) Minimum wage for paraprofessional and education 
 support staff.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term `minimum wage for 
 paraprofessional and education support staff' means an 
 amount, determined by the State, that all part-time 
 equivalent staff employed by a local educational agency 
 are required by the State to be paid by such agency, 
 and which--
 ``
            (i) is greater than the amount described 
 in subparagraph
        (B) ; and
 ``
            (ii) increases as the experience of such 
 school staff increases.
 ``
        (B) Indexing salary growth to inflation.--
 ``
            (i) Fiscal years 2026 through 2030.--For 
 each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, the 
 amount described in this subparagraph is $30.00 
 an hour.
 ``
            (ii) Fiscal years 2031 and after.--For 
 each fiscal year in the fiscal year period 2031 
 through 2035 and in each subsequent 5 fiscal 
 year period, the amount described this 
 subparagraph shall be equal to the amount 
 applicable for each fiscal year in the previous 
 5 fiscal year period, increased by the greater 
 of--
 ``
            (I) the aggregate annual 
 adjustment percentage over the previous 
 5 fiscal years; or
 ``
            (II) 2 percent of the amount 
 applicable under this subsection for 
 the previous 5 fiscal year period.
 ``

    (b) 

=== Purpose ===
-The purpose of this section is to ensure that 
paraprofessionals and education support staff, who are the backbone of 
our Nation's public education system, are--
 ``

    (1) paid a living wage, which means--
 ``
        (A) a minimum salary for paraprofessional and 
 education support staff; or
 ``
        (B) a minimum wage for paraprofessional and 
 education support staff;
 ``

    (2) compensated in a manner that recognizes some regions 
 may have higher costs of living and therefore necessitate 
 higher minimum salaries or wages;
 ``

    (3) recognized as public servants who provide essential 
 services that keep our Nation's public schools running and our 
 students thriving; and
 ``

    (4) provided safe working conditions and treated with the 
 respect and dignity they deserve.
 ``
            (c) Authorization and Appropriations.--In addition to amounts 
otherwise available, there are authorized to be appropriated and there 
are appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to the Department of Education, to carry this section--
 ``

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $25,000,000,000; and
 ``

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
 increased by the annual adjustment percentage.
 ``
            (d) Authorization of Grants.--
 ``

    (1) Reservations.--From the total amount appropriated 
 under subsection
            (c) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
 reserve not more than--
 ``
        (A) 1 percent to provide grants, contracts, or 
 cooperative agreements to regional educational 
 laboratories (established under 

section 174 of the 
 Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002) or qualified 
 nonprofit organizations to assist States that receive 
 grants under this section carry out applied research or 
 evaluations in providing paraprofessionals and 
 education support staff with opportunities for 
 personnel preparation, professional development, 
 credentials, or certifications, such as to assist in 
 the provision of special education and related services 
 or to serve English learners; and
 ``
        (B) 1 percent for technical assistance and 
 program administration of this section and 

section 2253.
 ``

    (2) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to States 
 from allotments under paragraph

    (3) to ensure that all local 
 educational agencies have the resources necessary to pay 
 paraprofessionals and education support staff a living wage, 
 which means--
 ``
        (A) the minimum salary for paraprofessional and 
 education support staff; or
 ``
        (B) a minimum wage for paraprofessional and 
 education support staff.
 ``

    (3) Allotments.--From the amounts appropriated under 
 subsection

    (b) that are remaining after making the reservations 
 described in paragraph

    (1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary 
 shall allot to each State that has submitted an approved 
 application under subsection
            (d) , an amount that bears the same 
 relationship to the remainder as the amount the State received 
 under part A of title I for the preceding fiscal year bears to 
 the amount all States received under that subpart for the 
 preceding fiscal year.
 ``

    (e) State Application.--In order to receive a grant under this 
section, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and including such information as the Secretary 
may reasonably require, including the following:
 ``

    (1) A timeline, consistent with the goals required under 
 paragraph

    (2) , to ensure that, not later than 4 years after the 
 receipt of a grant under this section--
 ``
        (A) the annual base salary of a full-time 
 equivalent employee employed by a local educational 
 agency in the State is not less than the minimum salary 
 for paraprofessional and education support staff, as 
 determined by the State; and
 ``
        (B) all part-time equivalent staff employed by a 
 local educational agency in the State are paid not less 
 than the minimum wage for paraprofessional and 
 education support staff, as determined by the State.
 ``

    (2) For each fiscal year in the timeline specified in 
 paragraph

    (1) , statewide annual goals for increasing average 
 salary or wage baselines of paraprofessionals and education 
 support staff in a manner that--
 ``
        (A) annually proposes a percentage increase in 
 the average wage or salary of paraprofessionals and 
 education support staff;
 ``
        (B) provides for the first increase to occur not 
 later than the second fiscal year a State receives a 
 grant under this section; and
 ``
            (C) makes significant progress toward ensuring 
 that, by the end of the timeline described in 
 subparagraph
        (A) --
 ``
            (i) the annual base salary of a full-time 
 equivalent employee employed by a local 
 educational agency in the State is not less 
 than the minimum salary for paraprofessional 
 and education support staff, as determined by 
 the State; and
 ``
            (ii) all part-time equivalent staff 
 employed by a local educational agency in the 
 State are paid not less than the minimum wage 
 for paraprofessional and education support 
 staff, as determined by the State.
 ``

    (3) The State's proposed formula to subgrant funds to 
 local educational agencies as described in subsection

    (g) in a 
 manner that ensures--
 ``
        (A) local educational agencies that serve a high 
 number or percentage of students from low-income 
 backgrounds receive substantial subgrant allocations 
 that enable such agencies to meet the requirements 
 described in subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of paragraph

    (1) not later than 2 years after the receipt of a subgrant; 
 and
 ``
        (B) all remaining local educational agencies in 
 the State meet the State's requirements in the timeline 
 described in paragraph

    (1) .
 ``

    (f) Improving Paraprofessional and School Staff Wages and 
Salaries.--
 ``

    (1) State reservation.--A State that receives a grant 
 under this section may reserve not more than 2 percent of the 
 total grant amount received by the State for technical 
 assistance, administrative purposes, and statewide efforts to 
 provide paraprofessionals and education support staff with 
 opportunities for personnel preparation, professional 
 development, credentials, or certifications, such as to assist 
 in the provision of special education and related services or 
 to serve English learners.
 ``

    (2) Improving wages and salaries.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
        (B) , a 
 State that receives a grant under this section shall 
 ensure that, within a timeline determined by the State 
 under subsection

    (e)

    (1) and approved by the Secretary--
 ``
            (i) the annual base salary of a full-time 
 equivalent employee employed by a local 
 educational agency in the State is not less 
 than the minimum salary for paraprofessional 
 and education support staff, as determined by 
 the State; and
 ``
            (ii) all part-time equivalent staff 
 employed by a local educational agency in the 
 State are paid not less than the minimum wage 
 for paraprofessional and education support 
 staff, as determined by the State.
 ``
        (B) Timing.--The Secretary shall ensure that, by 
 not later than 4 years after the date of implementation 
 of the final regulations issued in accordance with 
 

section 5 of the Pay Teachers Act, each State that 
 receives a grant under this section meets the salary 
 and wage requirements specified in subparagraph
        (A) .
 ``

    (g) Subgrants to Local Educational Agencies.--
 ``

    (1) Allocation.--Each State shall allocate not less than 
 98 percent of the grant funds awarded to the State under this 
 section as subgrants to local educational agencies (including 
 charter schools that are local educational agencies) in the 
 State under the formula determined by the State under 
 subsection

    (e)

    (3) and approved by the Secretary.
 ``

    (2) Uses of subgrant funds.--A local educational agency 
 that receives a subgrant under paragraph

    (1) --
 ``
        (A) shall use the subgrant funds to comply with 
 the State's requirements in accordance with subsection

    (e) guaranteeing that no full-time equivalent employee 
 of the agency is paid less than the minimum salary for 
 paraprofessional and education support staff and no 
 part-time equivalent employee of the agency is paid 
 less than the minimum wage for paraprofessional and 
 education support staff; and
 ``
        (B) may use subgrant funds--
 ``
            (i) to increase salaries or wages for 
 teachers, paraprofessionals, specialized 
 instructional support personnel, classified 
 school employees, principals, other school 
 leaders, school librarians, school bus drivers, 
 and other staff across their careers; and
 ``
            (ii) to provide paraprofessionals and 
 education support staff with opportunities for 
 personnel preparation, professional 
 development, credentials, or certifications, 
 such as to assist in the provision of special 
 education and related services or to serve 
 English learners.
 ``

    (3) Contracted staff.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--A local educational agency that 
 receives a subgrant under this section shall ensure 
 that staff employed by such agency or in any contract 
 such agency enters into, are paid an amount not less 
 than the minimum salary for paraprofessionals and 
 education support staff or the minimum wage for 
 paraprofessionals and education support staff in the 
 State.
 ``
        (B) Monitoring.--A State that receives a grant 
 under this section shall monitor local educational 
 agencies for compliance with subparagraph
        (A) .''.

SEC. 215. RULES.

    (a) In General.--Subpart 5 of part B of title II of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), as added 
by 

section 211 and amended by sections 212, 213, and 214, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 2255. RULES.

 ``

    (a) Rule of Construction for Collective Bargaining.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph

    (2) , nothing in 
 

section 2253 or 2254 shall be construed to alter or otherwise 
 affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded to school 
 or local educational agency employees under Federal, State, or 
 local laws (including applicable regulations or court orders) 
 or under the terms of collective bargaining agreements, 
 memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between such 
 employers and their employees.
 ``

    (2) Compliance.--Paragraph

    (1) shall not be construed to 
 exempt a State, local educational agency, or school from 
 complying with salary or wage requirements in sections 2253 or 
 2254 or from negotiating in compliance with State labor laws to 
 comply with sections 2253 or 2254.
 ``

    (b) Rule of Construction for Additional Pay or Other Salary 
Augmenting Systems.--Nothing in sections 2253 or 2254 shall be 
construed to prevent States or local educational agencies from 
supplementing the annual base salary of teachers, paraprofessionals, 
education support staff, or other staff employed by such agencies--
 ``

    (1) for additional skills, knowledge, duties, and 
 responsibilities;
 ``

    (2) by salary systems that increase teachers' 
 compensation through supplemental pay that is not part of an 
 annual base salary; or
 ``

    (3) through the provision of bonuses, stipends, or 
 awards.
 ``
            (c) No Waiver Authority.--

Section 8401 shall not apply to this 
subpart.
 ``
            (d) Supplement Not Supplant.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--A State shall use Federal funds received 
 under sections 2253 or 2254 only to supplement the funds that 
 would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be made available 
 from State and local sources for elementary and secondary 
 education, and not to supplant State and local funds.
 ``

    (2) Compliance.--The Secretary shall use funds described 
 in 

section 2254
            (d) (1)
        (B) to administer programs authorized 
 under this subpart and to issue technical assistance to States 
 and to monitor and enforce the requirements under such 
 programs.''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in 

section 2 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to 

section 2245 the following:

 ``subpart 5--modernizing the teaching profession

``

Sec. 2251. Definitions.
``

Sec. 2252. State commissions to advance the teaching profession.
``

Sec. 2253. Advancing the teaching profession grants.
``

Sec. 2254. Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act.
``

Sec. 2255. Rules.''.

 PART C--TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; REPORTING; ADMINISTRATION; STUDY

SEC. 221. ANNUAL STATE REPORT TO THE SECRETARY.

 

Section 1111

    (h)

    (5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311

    (h)

    (5) ) is amended--

    (1) in subparagraph
            (C) 
            (ii) , by striking ``and'' after the 
 semicolon;

    (2) by redesignating subparagraph
            (D) as subparagraph
        (G) ; 
 and

    (3) by inserting after subparagraph
            (C) the following:
 ``
            (D) data that demonstrates the State met the 
 requirements specified in subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of 
 subsection
            (i) (1) , or an assurance that the State 
 submitted the annual report described in subsection
            (i) (3)
        (F) ;
 ``
        (E) a description of the evidenced-based 
 strategies the State implemented to--
 ``
            (i) reduce the number and percentage of 
 teachers and paraprofessionals teaching without 
 full certification and licensure, overall and 
 in schools served by local educational agencies 
 that serve high numbers or percentages of 
 students who are from low-income backgrounds, 
 students who are racial and ethnic minorities, 
 children with disabilities, or English 
 learners; and
 ``
            (ii) meet the equitable distribution of 
 teachers requirements specified in subsection

    (g)

    (1)
        (B) ;''.

SEC. 222. PROMOTING THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF IN-FIELD, 
 EXPERIENCED, AND EFFECTIVE TEACHERS.

    (a) State Plans.--

Section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (g) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1)
        (B) --
            (i) by striking ``low-income and minority 
 children'' and inserting ``students who are 
 from low-income backgrounds, students who are 
 racial and ethnic minorities, children with 
 disabilities, or English learners''; and
            (ii) by striking ``enrolled in schools 
 assisted under this part'' and inserting 
 ``enrolled in schools served by local 
 educational agencies operating in the State''; 
 and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2)
        (J) , by striking ``, including 
 any requirements for certification obtained through 
 alternative routes to certification'' and inserting 
 ``and the State educational agency will implement 
 evidenced-based strategies to reduce the number and 
 percentage of teachers and paraprofessionals teaching 
 without full certification and licensure overall and in 
 schools served by local educational agencies that serve 
 high numbers or percentages of students who are from 
 low-income backgrounds, students who are racial and 
 ethnic minorities, children with disabilities, or 
 English learners''; and

    (2) in subsection

    (h) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1)
            (C) 
            (ix) --
            (i) in subclause
            (I) , by inserting 
 ``(meaning with less than 2 years of service)'' 
 after ``inexperienced'';
            (ii) in subclause
            (II) , by striking ``and'' 
 after the semicolon;
            (iii) in subclause
            (III) , by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (IV) teachers providing language 
 instruction to English learners who 
 meet the criteria described in 
 subclauses
            (I) through
            (III) , 
 disaggregated by such criteria.''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (5)
        (G) , as redesignated by 

section 221--
            (i) in clause
            (i) , by inserting ``(meaning 
 teachers with less than 2 years of service)'' 
 after ``Inexperienced teachers''; and
            (ii) by inserting after clause
            (iii) the 
 following:
 ``
            (iv) Teachers who--
 ``
            (I) provide language instruction 
 to English learners; and
 ``
            (II) meet the criteria described 
 in clauses
            (i) through
            (iii) , 
 disaggregated by such criteria.''.

    (b) Local Educational Agency Plans.--

Section 1112 of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6312) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (b)

    (2) , by striking ``low-income students 
 and minority students'' and inserting ``students who are from 
 low-income backgrounds, students who are racial and ethnic 
 minorities, children with disabilities, or English learners'';

    (2) in subsection
            (c) (6) , by striking ``, including any 
 requirements for certification obtained through alternative 
 routes to certification'' and inserting ``and that the local 
 educational agency will implement evidenced-based and research-
 based strategies to reduce the number and percentage of 
 teachers and paraprofessionals teaching without full 
 certification and licensure overall and in schools served by 
 local educational agencies that serve high numbers or 
 percentages of students who are from low-income backgrounds, 
 students who are racial and ethnic minorities, children with 
 disabilities, or English learners''; and

    (3) in subsection

    (e)

    (1)
        (A)
            (i) 
            (I) , by inserting ``the 
 full'' after ``has met''.
            (c) Technical Assistance To Support the Equitable Distribution of 
Teachers.--

    (1) In general.--Subpart 2 of part F of title VIII of the 
 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7901 
 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 8549D. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE EQUITABLE 
 DISTRIBUTION OF TEACHERS.

 ``

    (a) In General.--To ensure that students who are racial and 
ethnic minorities, students from low-income backgrounds, students who 
are children with disabilities, and English learners are not served at 
disproportionate rates by out-of-field, inexperienced, and ineffective 
teachers, including ensuring that teachers have the adequate supports 
they need to be effective, the Secretary shall--
 ``

    (1) provide technical assistance to--
 ``
        (A) increase support to States and local 
 educational agencies for such purposes; and
 ``
        (B) monitor the progress of States and local 
 educational agencies in meeting equitable distribution 
 of teachers requirements specified in subsection

    (g)

    (1)
        (B) of 

section 1111 and monitoring reporting 
 required under subsection

    (h)

    (1)
            (C) 
            (ix) of such 
 section; and
 ``

    (2) award grants under this section to support State 
 educational agencies and local educational agencies in 
 improving their data systems to effectively collect and analyze 
 information related to educator quality.
 ``

    (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of the Pay Teachers Act, and each subsequent second fiscal 
year, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee 
on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives a report 
regarding--
 ``

    (1) State and local educational agency efforts and 
 progress toward meeting the equitable distribution requirements 
 under subsection

    (g)

    (1)
        (B) of 

section 1111 and ensuring 
 compliance with reporting required under subsection

    (h)

    (1)
            (C) 
            (ix) of such section; and
 ``

    (2) actions taken by the Secretary to monitor compliance 
 in accordance with subsection

    (a)

    (2) .
 ``
            (c) Mandatory Appropriations.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
available, there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary to provide technical 
assistance described in subsection

    (a) and carry out reporting 
requirements in subsection

    (b) --
 ``

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $3,000,000; and
 ``

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal 
 year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage.
 ``
            (d) === Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Annual adjustment percentage.--The term `annual 
 adjustment percentage', with respect to appropriations made 
 under this section for a fiscal year, means a percentage equal 
 to the estimated percentage change in the Consumer Price Index, 
 as determined by the Secretary, for the most recent calendar 
 year ending prior to the beginning of such fiscal year.
 ``

    (2) Consumer price index.--The term `Consumer Price 
 Index' has the meaning given the term in 

section 478

    (f) of the 
 Higher Education Act of 1965.''.

    (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents in 

section 2 
 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is 
 amended by inserting after the item relating to 

section 8549C 
 the following new item:

``

Sec. 8549D. Technical assistance to support the equitable 
 distribution of teachers.''.

SEC. 223. IMPROVING RESOURCE EQUITY.

    (a) 

=== Purpose ===
-It is the purpose of the amendments made under this 
section to help ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet the 
requirements of this Act, including the amendments made by this Act.

    (b) Resource Inequity Reviews.--

Section 1111
            (d) of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311
            (d) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1)
        (B)
            (iv) , by striking ``resource 
 inequities, which may'' and inserting ``and proposes a plan to 
 mitigate resource inequities and to increase educational 
 opportunities, including the equitable access to qualified 
 teachers as described in paragraphs

    (1)
        (B) and

    (2)
        (J) of 
 subsection

    (g) , and 

section 1112

    (b)

    (2) , for students enrolled 
 in such school, which shall'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) in clause
            (iv) , by striking ``and'' 
 after the semicolon;
            (ii) in clause
            (v) , by striking the period 
 at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (vi) identifies and proposes a plan to 
 mitigate resource inequities and to increase 
 educational opportunities, including the 
 equitable access to qualified teachers as 
 described in paragraphs

    (1)
        (B) and

    (2)
        (J) of 
 subsection

    (g) , and 

section 1112

    (b)

    (2) , for 
 students enrolled in such school, which shall 
 include a review of local educational agency 
 and school-level budgeting, to be addressed 
 through implementation of such targeted support 
 and improvement plan.''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
            (C) , by striking ``may'' and 
 inserting ``shall''; and

    (3) in paragraph

    (3)
        (A)
            (ii) , by inserting ``, including the 
 equitable access to qualified teachers as described in 
 paragraphs

    (1)
        (B) and

    (2)
        (J) of subsection

    (g) and 

section 1112

    (b)

    (2) ,'' after ``periodically review resource 
 allocation''.
            (c) Resource Inequity Reviews.--

Section 1111 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311
            (d) ), as amended by 
sections 203 and 204, is further amended by inserting after subsection

    (k) the following:
 ``
            (l) Disparities in Per-Pupil Expenditures.--Not less frequently 
than every 5 years, a State that receives assistance under this part 
shall examine and address fiscal inequities among schools and local 
educational agencies in the State, including by working with the 
Governor, members of the State legislature and State board of education 
(if the State has a State board of education), local educational 
agencies that serve schools in the quartile described in paragraph

    (1) , 
and the public, to--
 ``

    (1) identify the quartile of schools serving the greatest 
 number and percentage of students from low-income backgrounds;
 ``

    (2) identify the average per-pupil expenditure of the 
 quartile of local educational agencies with the greatest per-
 pupil expenditures in the State; and
 ``

    (3) implement State and local actions to increase per-
 pupil expenditures at schools described in paragraph

    (1) to an 
 amount that is not less than the average per-pupil expenditure 
 described in paragraph

    (2) .''.

SEC. 224. STRENGTHENING PER-PUPIL EXPENDITURE REPORTING.

    (a) 

=== Purpose ===
-It is the purpose of the amendments made under this 
section to help ensure sufficient funds are available to meet the 
requirements of this Act, including the amendments made by this Act.

    (b) State Reports.--

Section 1111

    (h)

    (5) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311

    (h)

    (5) ) is amended by 
inserting after subparagraph
        (E) , as redesignated by 

section 221, the 
following:
 ``
        (F) the per-pupil expenditures of Federal, State, 
 and local funds, including actual personnel 
 expenditures and actual nonpersonnel expenditures of 
 Federal, State, and local funds, disaggregated by 
 source of funds, for each local educational agency and 
 each school in the State for the preceding fiscal year, 
 in accordance with paragraph

    (1)
            (C) 
            (x) ; and''.
            (c) Local Educational Agency Plans.--

Section 1112

    (e)

    (1) of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6312

    (e)

    (1) ) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (C) Additional resource equity information.--
 Schools served by a local educational agency that 
 receives assistance under this part shall provide to 
 each individual parent of a child who is a student in 
 such school information on resource equity, including--
 ``
            (i) the per-pupil expenditures of 
 Federal, State, and local funds, in both the 
 school in which such parent's child is enrolled 
 and in the local educational agency that serves 
 such school, in accordance with 

section 1111

    (h)

    (1)
            (C) 
            (x) ; and
 ``
            (ii) whether the school-level per-pupil 
 expenditures of the school in which such 
 parent's child is enrolled and the local 
 educational agency that serves such school are 
 below the average of the local educational 
 agency and State, respectively.''.

SEC. 225. STATE ADMINISTRATION.

 

Section 1004 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6304) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 striking ``subsection

    (b) '' and inserting ``subsections

    (b) and
            (c) ''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``$400,000'' and 
 inserting ``$1,200,000''; and

    (2) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (c) Reservation for State Fiscal and Resource Adequacy and 
Equity.--In addition to any amounts reserved under subsection

    (a) , each 
State receiving assistance under part A shall reserve not more than 0.5 
percent of funds received under such part to carry out 1 or more of the 
following activities:
 ``

    (1) Monitor implementation of 

section 1111
            (i) .
 ``

    (2) Support State public school funding and resource 
 adequacy and equity commissions, or comprehensive reviews of 
 State public school finance systems, that--
 ``
        (A) are carried out with significant and 
 meaningful family and community engagement, including 
 with--
 ``
            (i) organizations representing the 
 interests of students from low-income 
 backgrounds, students who are racial and ethnic 
 minorities, English learners, children with 
 disabilities, students experiencing 
 homelessness, children and youth in the foster 
 care system, and other vulnerable and 
 underserved children;
 ``
            (ii) teachers, classified school 
 employees, principals, and other school 
 leaders;
 ``
            (iii) local educational agencies;
 ``
            (iv) parents and families;
 ``
            (v) civil rights organizations in the 
 State; and
 ``
            (vi) school finance experts, which may 
 include researchers from institutions of higher 
 education;
 ``
        (B) identify State and local funding and 
 educational opportunity gaps in fiscal and resource 
 adequacy and equity--
 ``
            (i) among all local educational agencies 
 in the State; and
 ``
            (ii) for each local educational agency in 
 the State, across all schools served by such 
 agency; and
 ``
            (C) develop action plans to address existing gaps 
 in fiscal and resource adequacy and equity identified 
 under subparagraph
        (B) , with involvement from the 
 stakeholders described in clauses
            (i) through
            (vi) of 
 subparagraph
        (A) .
 ``

    (3) Support the provision of technical assistance, which 
 may be provided by school finance experts, regarding the public 
 school finance systems, including developing and implementing 
 more adequate and equitable approaches to State education 
 funding and resource allocation.
 ``

    (4) Support and expand public transparency about public 
 school finance systems.''.

SEC. 226. NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY TO IMPROVE ESEA'S RESOURCE EQUITY 
 REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 240 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to--

    (1) conduct a study of how to improve Federal requirements 
 designed to ensure that public schools and local educational 
 agencies that serve a high number or percentage of underserved 
 groups of students, including students from low-income 
 backgrounds, students of color, English learners, children with 
 disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, and children 
 and youth in the foster care system, receive an adequate and 
 equitable share of State and local funds; and

    (2) make the report described in subsection
            (c) publicly 
 available.

    (b) Elements.--The study described in subsection

    (a) shall--

    (1) examine disparities in per-pupil expenditures (from 
 State and local funding) and in full-time equivalent staff 
 between public schools receiving support under part A of title 
 I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) and public schools not receiving support 
 under such part;

    (2) identify options for improving the fiscal requirements 
 for purposes of comparability as described in 

section 1118
            (c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
 U.S.C. 6321
            (c) );

    (3) identify options for improving the supplement, not 
 supplant requirements under 

section 1118

    (b) of the Elementary 
 and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6321

    (b) ); and

    (4) include recommendations for effective or evidence-based 
 Federal and State policies designed to ensure that public 
 schools and local educational agencies that serve a high number 
 or percentage of underserved groups of students receive an 
 equitable share of funds, including recommendations relating to 
 the equitable and adequate distribution of funds at the State 
 and local levels.
            (c) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the agreement 
entered into under subsection

    (a) , the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the 
Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives a 
report of the study required under such subsection.
            (d) Mandatory Appropriations.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
available, there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, $1,500,000 to the Secretary to carry out this 
section for fiscal year 2026.

 TITLE III--INVESTING IN EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND THE TEACHING PIPELINE

SEC. 301. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE TEACHER QUALITY PARTNERSHIPS 
 AND GROW YOUR OWN PROGRAMS.

    (a) Teacher Quality Partnerships Program Appropriated.--In addition 
to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, out of any 
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary to 
carry out part A of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1022 et seq.)--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $550,000,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal 
 year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

    (b) Priority.--In carrying out part A of title II of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022 et seq.) with funds provided 
under subsection

    (a) , the Secretary shall prioritize the use of funds 
to establish or expand high-quality teacher residencies or Grow Your 
Own programs as described in subsection

    (e) or

    (f) of 

section 202 of 
such Act (20 U.S.C. 1022a).
            (c) Grow Your Own Programs Authorized.--

Section 202 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022a) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (b)

    (6) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking ``subsection
            (d) or

    (e) '' and inserting ``subsection
            (d) ,

    (e) , or

    (f) ''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
            (C) , by striking ``subsection

    (f) or

    (g) '' and inserting ``subsection

    (g) or

    (h) '';

    (2) in subsection
            (c) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``, or a 
 combination of such programs'' and inserting ``or a 
 Grow Your Own program under subsection

    (f) , or a 
 combination of the programs described in this 
 paragraph''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``subsection

    (f) '' and inserting ``subsection

    (g) '';

    (3) by redesignating subsections

    (f) through

    (k) as 
 subsections

    (g) through
            (l) , respectively;

    (4) by inserting after subsection

    (e) the following:
 ``

    (f) Partnership Grants for the Establishment of Grow Your Own 
Programs.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--An eligible partnership that receives a 
 grant to carry out a Grow Your Own program shall carry out an 
 effective Grow Your Own program to address shortages of 
 teachers in high-need subjects, fields, schools, and geographic 
 areas, or shortages of school leaders in high-need schools, and 
 to increase the diversity of qualified individuals entering the 
 teacher, principal, or other school leader workforce.
 ``

    (2) Requirements of a grow your own program.--In addition 
 to carrying out each of the activities described in paragraphs

    (1) through

    (6) of subsection
            (d) , an eligible partnership 
 carrying out a Grow Your Own program under this subsection 
 shall--
 ``
        (A) provide opportunities for candidates to 
 practice and develop teaching or school leadership 
 skills that integrate knowledge from education 
 coursework through, at a minimum, a year-long, school-
 based, paid clinical experience in which candidates 
 teach or lead alongside an expert mentor teacher or 
 school leader, who is the teacher or school leader of 
 record, in the same local educational agency in which 
 the candidates expect to work;
 ``
        (B) provide academic and nonacademic wrap-around 
 supports and services, including advising, tutoring, 
 test preparation, and financial assistance (which may 
 include scholarships or stipends), to candidates as 
 they--
 ``
            (i) complete an associate degree program 
 (if such program is in furtherance of a 
 baccalaureate degree), baccalaureate degree 
 program, or master's degree program, as 
 applicable;
 ``
            (ii) enter and complete teacher or school 
 leadership preparation programs;
 ``
            (iii) access and complete State licensure 
 or certification examinations; and
 ``
            (iv) engage in school-based clinical 
 placements described in subparagraph
        (A) ;
 ``
            (C) include efforts to recruit individuals with 
 experience in high-need subjects or fields who are not 
 certified to teach or lead, with a specific focus on 
 recruiting individuals--
 ``
            (i) who are other staff employed by local 
 educational agencies, including 
 paraprofessionals;
 ``
            (ii) who are enrolled in dual or 
 concurrent enrollment programs or early college 
 high school programs and studying to become 
 teachers;
 ``
            (iii) from groups or populations that are 
 underrepresented; and
 ``
            (iv) who live in and come from the 
 communities the schools serve; and
 ``
            (D) require candidates to complete all State 
 requirements to become fully certified or licensed.''; 
 and

    (5) in subsection

    (h) , as redesignated by paragraph

    (3) , by 
 striking ``the activities described in subsection
            (d) or

    (e) , 
 or both'' and inserting ``activities described in subsection
            (d) ,

    (e) , or

    (f) ''.

SEC. 302. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE AUGUSTUS F. HAWKINS CENTERS 
 OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM.

 In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to carry out the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence 
program authorized under 

section 242 of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1033a)--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $150,000,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
 increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 303. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE 
 SERVICES AND RESULTS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES UNDER 
 PART D OF IDEA.

 In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to carry out the program authorized under 

section 662 of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1462)--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $300,000,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
 increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 304. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE 
 EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, 
there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to the Secretary to carry out the Supporting Effective 
Educator Development program authorized under 

section 2242 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672)--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $100,000,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal 
 year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

    (b) Priority.--In awarding grants under the Supporting Effective 
Educator Development program authorized under 

section 2242 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672) with 
funds made available under subsection

    (a) , the Secretary shall give 
priority to eligible entities that--

    (1) are partnerships that include--
        (A)
            (i) 1 or more institutions of higher education 
 described in 

section 2242

    (f)

    (1) of such Act; or
            (ii) 1 or more national nonprofit entities 
 described in 

section 2242

    (f)

    (2) of such Act; and
        (B)
            (i) 1 or more State educational agencies; or
            (ii) 1 or more local educational agencies; and

    (2) in the application submitted under 

section 2242
            (d) of 
 such Act, describe how such funds will be used to develop 
 teacher leadership and professional expertise by providing 
 teachers, principals, or other school leaders with 
 opportunities to--
        (A) earn additional in-demand certifications and 
 credentials, including National Board certification and 
 certifications or credentials in high-need subjects and 
 fields, such as special education, bilingual education, 
 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and 
 career and technical education;
        (B) serve as mentors;
            (C) participate in distributed leadership or 
 school-based clinical models; or
            (D) learn and teach other teachers how to conduct 
 student inquiries, including through action research 
 and the effective use of student data to strengthen 
 teaching and learning.
            (c) Conforming Amendment.--

Section 2242

    (f)

    (4) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672

    (f)

    (4) ) is amended by 
striking ``entity'' and inserting ``entity, a State educational agency, 
a local educational agency, or a consortium of State educational 
agencies or local educational agencies''.

SEC. 305. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER 
 INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT CONTINUED TEACHER GROWTH AND 
 CONTRIBUTIONS TO STUDENT LEARNING.

    (a) Appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, 
there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to the Secretary to carry out the Teacher and School 
Leader Incentive program authorized under subpart 1 of part B of title 
II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
6631 et seq.)--

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $200,000,000; and

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal 
 year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

    (b) Special Requirement.--For purposes of any grants awarded under 
subpart 1 of part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6631 et seq.) with funds made 
available under subsection

    (a) , the Secretary shall deem the term 
``performance-based compensation system'' to only mean a system of 
compensation for teachers, principals, or other school leaders that 
recognizes skills and knowledge in the manner described in 

section 2211

    (b)

    (4)
        (B)
            (ii) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6631

    (b)

    (4)
        (B)
            (ii) ).
 <all>