This bill establishes a federal program to ensure that education paraprofessionals and support staff receive a living wage, recognizing their essential contributions to public education. It defines a minimum annual salary of $45,000 for full-time staff and a minimum hourly wage of $30.00 for part-time staff , starting in fiscal year 2026. These minimums are designed to increase with staff experience and will be adjusted every five years based on inflation or a minimum 2 percent increase. The Act authorizes $25 billion for fiscal year 2026, with annual increases, to fund grants for states. States must apply to the Secretary of Education with a plan to ensure all local educational agencies (LEAs) meet these new wage requirements within four years of receiving grant funds. The subgrant formula prioritizes LEAs serving a high number of low-income students, enabling them to comply within two years. LEAs are mandated to use these funds to meet the minimum salary and wage standards for both directly employed and contracted staff. While the bill respects collective bargaining agreements, it requires compliance with the new wage provisions and ensures federal funds supplement, rather than replace, existing state and local education funding. States and LEAs retain the flexibility to offer additional pay or bonuses beyond these established minimums.