Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act

This bill would direct the U.S. Secretary of Education to give funds to state education agencies to help recruit and keep paraprofessionals in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs. Each state's share would be based on how much its school districts received under the federal Title I program the year before. States could keep up to 5 percent for administration and statewide activities, and would award the rest as competitive subgrants to school districts and educational service agencies, giving priority to those serving low-income or rural communities. Subgrants could pay for mentoring, professional development, certifications, and higher wages or bonuses, and states would report yearly on paraprofessional pay and staffing. The bill authorizes such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Lucy McBath Democrat sponsor
• 66 cosponsors