A Democratic bill with 10 Democratic cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act," directs the Secretary of Education to establish a grant program. The program aims to support the recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs. State educational agencies will receive allotments to assist states, local educational agencies, and educational service agencies. These funds can be used for various activities, including professional development, certification assistance, and wage increases. Priority for subgrants will be given to entities serving high numbers of children from low-income families.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill establishes a new grant program to provide funds for recruiting and retaining paraprofessionals in public schools.
- Scored +6
Would children be better off under this?
The bill aims to improve classroom instruction and student learning through better-supported paraprofessionals.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill provides priority to entities serving children from low-income families.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Wages and Incentives: The bill allows for funds to be used for increasing wages for paraprofessionals or providing bonus pay incentives to help recruit and retain them (Section 2(c)(2)(D)).
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Professional Growth and Skills: Subgrants can provide paraprofessionals with specific skills, credentials, or certifications, such as special education, English learner, advanced paraeducator, or teaching certifications (Section 2(c)(2)(C)).
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Improved Instruction and Leadership: The program can fund evidence-based induction and mentoring programs designed to improve classroom instruction, student learning, achievement, and school leadership (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
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Targeted Support for High-Need Areas: Priority for these grants is given to entities that serve greater numbers of children from low-income families (Section 2(d)(1)(A)).
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Professional Development: Funds can be used to develop and implement high-quality professional development programs to help recruit and retain staff (Section 2(c)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Administrative Costs: State educational agencies are permitted to reserve up to 5 percent of their total allotment for administrative activities related to the grant program (Section 2(c)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill aims to improve classroom instruction and student learning through better-supported paraprofessionals. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides priority to entities serving children from low-income families. Would students be better off under this? — The bill aims to improve student learning and achievement through better classroom support. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill funds certifications in special education, which benefits students with disabilities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill establishes a new grant program to provide funds for recruiting and retaining paraprofessionals in public schools.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to support the recruitment of paraprofessionals, which supports job creation in the education sector.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill prioritizes funding for schools serving low-income families, which can help alleviate poverty through better educational support.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal involvement in education through a new Secretary-led grant program.
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts