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Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act

USA119th CongressHR-5476| House 
| Updated: 9/18/2025
Lucy McBath

Lucy McBath

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (56)
John W. Mannion (Democratic)Dwight Evans (Democratic)April McClain Delaney (Democratic)Becca Balint (Democratic)Laura Friedman (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Robert Garcia (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Jennifer L. McClellan (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Bill Foster (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)John B. Larson (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Eric Sorensen (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Maggie Goodlander (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)George Whitesides (Democratic)Frank Pallone (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation establishes a federal grant program designed to strengthen the paraprofessional workforce in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs. The program directs the Secretary of Education to provide allotments to State educational agencies, which will then distribute competitive subgrants to eligible local educational agencies and educational service agencies. The primary goal of these funds is to support the recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals . Eligible activities include establishing evidence-based paraprofessional leader induction and mentoring programs, developing and implementing high-quality professional development, and providing opportunities for paraprofessionals to obtain essential skills, credentials, or certifications such as special education or English learner certificates. Crucially, the grants can also be used to increase paraprofessional wages or offer bonus pay incentives to attract and keep qualified staff. State educational agencies are required to prioritize subgrants to entities serving a higher number or percentage of children from low-income families, or those in specific rural or remote areas. Annually, recipient State agencies must report on key metrics, including average paraprofessional pay baselines, wage increases, and the number of paraprofessionals employed. This reporting ensures accountability and tracks the program's effectiveness in addressing paraprofessional shortages and improving their compensation across schools.
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Timeline
Jul 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2330
Introduced in Senate
Sep 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • July 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2330
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education

Related Bills

  • S 119-2330: Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act

Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act

USA119th CongressHR-5476| House 
| Updated: 9/18/2025
This legislation establishes a federal grant program designed to strengthen the paraprofessional workforce in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs. The program directs the Secretary of Education to provide allotments to State educational agencies, which will then distribute competitive subgrants to eligible local educational agencies and educational service agencies. The primary goal of these funds is to support the recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals . Eligible activities include establishing evidence-based paraprofessional leader induction and mentoring programs, developing and implementing high-quality professional development, and providing opportunities for paraprofessionals to obtain essential skills, credentials, or certifications such as special education or English learner certificates. Crucially, the grants can also be used to increase paraprofessional wages or offer bonus pay incentives to attract and keep qualified staff. State educational agencies are required to prioritize subgrants to entities serving a higher number or percentage of children from low-income families, or those in specific rural or remote areas. Annually, recipient State agencies must report on key metrics, including average paraprofessional pay baselines, wage increases, and the number of paraprofessionals employed. This reporting ensures accountability and tracks the program's effectiveness in addressing paraprofessional shortages and improving their compensation across schools.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2330
Introduced in Senate
Sep 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • July 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2330
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Lucy McBath

Lucy McBath

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (56)
John W. Mannion (Democratic)Dwight Evans (Democratic)April McClain Delaney (Democratic)Becca Balint (Democratic)Laura Friedman (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Robert Garcia (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Jennifer L. McClellan (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Bill Foster (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)John B. Larson (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Eric Sorensen (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Maggie Goodlander (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)George Whitesides (Democratic)Frank Pallone (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

Education

Related Bills

  • S 119-2330: Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted