PATHS to Tutor Act of 2025

This bill establishes a competitive grant program, administered by the Secretary of Education, to fund innovative partnerships for delivering high-quality tutoring in hard-to-staff schools and high-need schools . These partnerships, termed local consortia , must include a local educational agency or school and an educator preparation program, and may involve various community partners. The goal is to expand access to effective tutoring by leveraging aspiring teachers and other qualified individuals. High-quality tutoring is strictly defined, requiring one-on-one or small group ratios, multiple weekly sessions integrated into the school day, and content-specific tutor matching aligned with local standards. It also mandates comprehensive pre-service training, ongoing professional support, and adequate compensation for tutors, who can include postsecondary students, recent graduates, or certified educators. Grant applications must detail recruitment, training, and how tutoring will accelerate student learning without negative labeling, while building school capacity. Priority for grants will be given to consortia supporting high-need schools that utilize tutors who are postsecondary students in educator preparation programs, especially those from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Funds can be used for tutor matching, training, stipends for tutors and mentors, instructional materials, and support services like transportation and meals for students, with the bill authorizing $500,000,000 for the program, at least 85 percent of which is for direct student support. Furthermore, the legislation requires an interagency agreement between the Secretary of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service. This agreement will approve tutor positions as national service positions, enabling tutors to receive national service educational awards upon completing their service.