Bill · S. 2330· Senate(119-S-2330)
Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act
- Introduced
- 7/17/2025
- Last activity
- 7/17/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- - 10 - 0
- 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
Does this put more money into public schools?+8
The bill establishes a new grant program to provide funds for recruiting and retaining paraprofessionals in public schools.
Would children be better off under this?+6
The bill aims to improve classroom instruction and student learning through better-supported paraprofessionals.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
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. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+6Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Students+6Good For People With Disabilities+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+8
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- 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