Bill · S. 4025· Senate(119-S-4025)
Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/9/2026
- Last activity
- 3/9/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Tina Smith
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026 establishes a grant program managed by the Secretary of Education to tackle teacher shortages across the United States. The bill prioritizes funding for rural areas, high-need subject areas like STEM and special education, and efforts to diversify the teaching workforce. Eligible entities can use these funds to establish teaching residencies, mentor programs, Grow Your Own programs, and 2+2 college programs. The legislation also provides support for current school employees such as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers to become certified educators. Additionally, the bill requires grant recipients to evaluate and report on their retention rates, certification pass rates, and progress in hiring underrepresented groups.
Yes· 3 of 21
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+7
The bill explicitly prioritizes rural school districts and addresses rural teacher recruitment and retention challenges.
Does this put more money into public schools?+7
The bill establishes a significant federal grant program to fund teacher preparation, residencies, and retention efforts in public schools.
Would children be better off under this?+6
Well-prepared and retained teachers improve educational quality and student achievement for children and youth.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill authorizes new discretionary appropriations for a federal grant program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial support for aspiring teachers: Section 4(d)(1)(A) and Section 4(d)(7)(E)(i) allow grant funds to cover all or part of a resident's tuition, or provide tuition assistance, stipends, and housing allowances to student teachers. This makes entering the teaching profession more affordable for individuals.
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Support for current school staff: Section 4(c)(3)(B) gives competitive priority to programs that help current school employees, such as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers who have worked in the school community for at least three years, get their teaching licenses or certifications.
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Targeted help for rural and high-need communities: Section 4(c)(2)(B) ensures that funding is specifically directed toward addressing shortages in rural school districts, high-need subject areas, and efforts to diversify the teaching workforce.
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Mentorship and professional growth: Section 4(d)(2) and Section 4(d)(7)(C) allow funds to be used for establishing teacher mentor programs and creating career advancement opportunities that offer increased pay for teachers who take on additional leadership roles.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Mandatory matching funds requirement: Section 4(e)(1) requires eligible entities that receive a grant to provide matching funds from non-financial Federal sources that are equal to or greater than the amount of the grant. This could place a financial burden on under-resourced local educational agencies, even though the Secretary has the authority to reduce or waive the requirement under Section 4(e)(2).
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Service commitments required for financial help: Section 4(d)(1)(A) and Section 4(d)(7)(E)(i) note that financial assistance like tuition coverage, stipends, and housing allowances are tied to a mandatory commitment to teach in the community for a minimum of three years or in a specific high-need placement. This restricts the employment freedom of educators who accept these funds.
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 Rural Residents+7Good For Children+6Good For Students+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For People With Disabilities+3Good For Women+3Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Urban Residents+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+7Improves College Affordability+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+4Improves Disability Rights+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Reduces Government Spending-2
- 3/9/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.