{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D5E06D27-9941-4390-BEE4-2AF7D4DF4C0C", "Representatives McBath, Fitzpatrick Introduce Legislation to Increase Recruitment and Retainment of Educators", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and member of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee; and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) have introduced the bipartisan and bicameral H.R. 5476, Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act to build career pathways, create professional development opportunities, and establish higher wages for school paraeducators. Paraprofessionals, or paraeducators, work under the supervision of a certified teacher to provide students with specific instructional, behavioral, and personal support, particularly in special education settings involving disabled students. More than 1.2 million paraeducators nationwide provide essential support in classrooms; they help teachers, support small group learning, and assist students with disabilities. Companion legislation is led by Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass).\n\n\u201cOur classroom staff and educators are the backbone of our schools and help students succeed daily\u2014often without enough recognition or pay. This has contributed to a severe paraprofessional shortage nationwide, especially in our rural areas.\u201d said Rep. McBath. \u201cWith the American education system already under strain, staffing shortages mean that our students aren\u2019t being set up for success. The PARA Educators Act will allow investment in our educators so they can continue to inspire our students and our communities. I thank my colleagues for joining me on the important legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve sat in classrooms across Pennsylvania\u2019s First District and witnessed incredible paraeducators transform students\u2019 days\u2014guiding them through lessons, calming crises, and making inclusion possible. Yet despite their central role in student success, they\u2019ve been left without the pay, training, and respect their work deserves,\u201d said Rep. Fitzpatrick. \u201cThe bipartisan PARA Educators Act changes that by raising wages, expanding professional development, and creating real career pathways\u2014because when paraeducators are supported, every child has the chance to thrive.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the Trump administration continues its relentless attack on education, it is more important than ever that we ensure paraprofessionals receive the support, compensation, and professional development opportunities they deserve,\u201d said Senator Markey. \u201cInstructional assistants, teachers\u2019 aides, special education aides, and other educators keep our schools running and students thriving\u2014often with little recognition and low pay. My PARAEducators Act will invest in these educators what they invest in our students, our communities, and our future.\u201d\n\nLack of professional development opportunities for growth and low wages in the field have resulted in high rates of turnover and vacancies among paraeducators, most notably in rural or lower income school systems. The PARA Educators Act will support the recruitment and retention of paraeducators by funding state and school-level initiatives aimed at increasing wages and improving working conditions, as well as developing training and professional development programs in public schools. This bill empowers America\u2019s paraeducators and equips them to better educate future generations.\n\nThe PARA Educators Act would:\n\nEstablish a grant program within the Department of Education to support state and district efforts to recruit and retain paraprofessionals.\n\nPrioritize high-need rural and urban areas to ensure grant funding is distributed equitably.\n\nProvide paraprofessionals with access to high-quality professional development programs and credentials that will advance in their careers and benefit their students.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Mark Pocan (WI-02), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Dina Titus (NV-01), William R. Keating (MA-09), George Whitesides (CA-27), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Angie Craig (MN-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), John B. Larson (CT-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), David Scott (GA-13), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Cleo Fields (LA-06), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17).\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Advocacy Institute, Autism Society, CommunicationFIRST, Council for Exceptional Children, National Rural Education Association, National Center for Learning Disabilities, AFSCME, The Arc, Citizens for Public Schools, Council of Administrators of Special Education, and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D5E06D27-9941-4390-BEE4-2AF7D4DF4C0C"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.1634609438478947, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}