This bill establishes a grant program for State educational agencies (SEAs) to significantly increase teacher salaries across the nation. The primary goal is to ensure that every full-time teacher in a qualifying public school earns an annual salary of at least $60,000 , a figure that will be adjusted annually for inflation. These 4-year grants are designed to help states achieve this minimum salary threshold and improve teacher recruitment and retention. To receive these grants, SEAs must submit a comprehensive plan demonstrating how they will sustain the increased salaries beyond the grant period. They must also assure that, if necessary, they will enact legislation to establish statewide minimum teacher salary requirements. At least 85 percent of the grant funds must be passed through as subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs), with priority given to those serving high numbers of students from low-income families or located in rural areas. The legislation also authorizes separate grants for states that already meet the $60,000 minimum but require federal assistance to provide cost-of-living adjustments due to inflation. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to ensure that federal funds supplement, rather than supplant, existing state and local teacher compensation. Up to four percent of appropriated funds can be used for a national campaign to raise awareness about the value of teaching, encourage students to enter the profession, and diversify the teacher workforce.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Education
Education programs fundingElementary and secondary educationTeaching, teachers, curriculaWages and earnings
American Teacher Act
USA119th CongressHR-2021| House
| Updated: 3/10/2025
This bill establishes a grant program for State educational agencies (SEAs) to significantly increase teacher salaries across the nation. The primary goal is to ensure that every full-time teacher in a qualifying public school earns an annual salary of at least $60,000 , a figure that will be adjusted annually for inflation. These 4-year grants are designed to help states achieve this minimum salary threshold and improve teacher recruitment and retention. To receive these grants, SEAs must submit a comprehensive plan demonstrating how they will sustain the increased salaries beyond the grant period. They must also assure that, if necessary, they will enact legislation to establish statewide minimum teacher salary requirements. At least 85 percent of the grant funds must be passed through as subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs), with priority given to those serving high numbers of students from low-income families or located in rural areas. The legislation also authorizes separate grants for states that already meet the $60,000 minimum but require federal assistance to provide cost-of-living adjustments due to inflation. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to ensure that federal funds supplement, rather than supplant, existing state and local teacher compensation. Up to four percent of appropriated funds can be used for a national campaign to raise awareness about the value of teaching, encourage students to enter the profession, and diversify the teacher workforce.