HR5476-119

What This Bill Does

The Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act creates a federal support program for school paraprofessionals. The Education Secretary would make allotments to state educational agencies to help states, local educational agencies, and educational service agencies recruit and retain paraprofessionals in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs. State allocations are tied to the state's prior-year share of Title I, Part A funds. A state may reserve up to 5 percent for state activities and must distribute the rest to eligible local entities, including LEAs and educational service agencies serving high-need schools or high-need school consortia. The bill protects existing federal, state, local, and collectively bargained labor rights and authorizes such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Who Benefits and How

School paraprofessionals benefit because the grants are aimed at recruitment and retention support for their workforce. High-need schools benefit because eligible entities serving those schools can receive local grant funds. Students in public schools benefit if improved paraprofessional staffing increases classroom support and student services. State educational agencies benefit from federal allotments that can support statewide paraprofessional workforce strategies.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Education Department grant staff must approve state applications, calculate allotments, and oversee compliance. State educational agencies must submit applications, reserve no more than 5 percent, and distribute funds to eligible entities. Local educational agencies must administer recruitment and retention activities while preserving labor agreements. Federal taxpayers fund the authorization of such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Key Provisions

• Creates Education Department allotments for paraprofessional recruitment and retention.
• Uses prior-year Title I Part A shares to allocate state funding.
• Limits state reservations to no more than 5 percent of allotments.
• Targets public elementary, secondary, preschool, and high-need school settings.
• Authorizes such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.