Washington, DC – Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and member of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee; and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) have introduced the bipartisan and bicameral H.R. 5476, Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act to build career pathways, create professional development opportunities, and establish higher wages for school paraeducators. Paraprofessionals, or paraeducators, work under the supervision of a certified teacher to provide students with specific instructional, behavioral, and personal support, particularly in special education settings involving disabled students. More than 1.2 million paraeducators nationwide provide essential support in classrooms; they help teachers, support small group learning, and assist students with disabilities. Companion legislation is led by Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass).
“Our classroom staff and educators are the backbone of our schools and help students succeed daily—often without enough recognition or pay. This has contributed to a severe paraprofessional shortage nationwide, especially in our rural areas.” said Rep. McBath. “With the American education system already under strain, staffing shortages mean that our students aren’t being set up for success. The PARA Educators Act will allow investment in our educators so they can continue to inspire our students and our communities. I thank my colleagues for joining me on the important legislation.”
“I’ve sat in classrooms across Pennsylvania’s First District and witnessed incredible paraeducators transform students’ days—guiding them through lessons, calming crises, and making inclusion possible. Yet despite their central role in student success, they’ve been left without the pay, training, and respect their work deserves,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “The bipartisan PARA Educators Act changes that by raising wages, expanding professional development, and creating real career pathways—because when paraeducators are supported, every child has the chance to thrive.”
“As the Trump administration continues its relentless attack on education, it is more important than ever that we ensure paraprofessionals receive the support, compensation, and professional development opportunities they deserve,” said Senator Markey. “Instructional assistants, teachers’ aides, special education aides, and other educators keep our schools running and students thriving—often with little recognition and low pay. My PARAEducators Act will invest in these educators what they invest in our students, our communities, and our future.”
Lack of professional development opportunities for growth and low wages in the field have resulted in high rates of turnover and vacancies among paraeducators, most notably in rural or lower income school systems. The PARA Educators Act will support the recruitment and retention of paraeducators by funding state and school-level initiatives aimed at increasing wages and improving working conditions, as well as developing training and professional development programs in public schools. This bill empowers America’s paraeducators and equips them to better educate future generations.
The PARA Educators Act would:
- Establish a grant program within the Department of Education to support state and district efforts to recruit and retain paraprofessionals.
- Prioritize high-need rural and urban areas to ensure grant funding is distributed equitably.
- Provide paraprofessionals with access to high-quality professional development programs and credentials that will advance in their careers and benefit their students.
The bill is cosponsored Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Mark Pocan (WI-02), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Dina Titus (NV-01), William R. Keating (MA-09), George Whitesides (CA-27), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Angie Craig (MN-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), John B. Larson (CT-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), David Scott (GA-13), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Cleo Fields (LA-06), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17).
The bill is endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Advocacy Institute, Autism Society, CommunicationFIRST, Council for Exceptional Children, National Rural Education Association, National Center for Learning Disabilities, AFSCME, The Arc, Citizens for Public Schools, Council of Administrators of Special Education, and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.