This bill establishes the Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026, which creates a federal grant program to help schools and districts prepare and retain educators in under-resourced and underserved communities. The program provides competitive grants to eligible entities for activities such as teaching residency programs, mentor teacher initiatives, Grow Your Own programs that recruit local community members, and 2+2 partnerships between community colleges and universities. Grant funds are specifically reserved to address shortages in rural areas, high-need subject areas like STEM and special education, and to diversify the teaching workforce. Recipients must provide matching funds and submit detailed reports on retention rates, licensure pass rates, and the percentage of teachers from underrepresented groups. The program authorizes funding from fiscal years 2027 through 2032 and includes provisions for planning grants for entities that have not previously received support.
This bill, titled the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to use up to $4 million annually for five years to support African American history education programs. The funding can be used to create digital and print educational resources, provide teacher training and professional development, expand museum collections, and develop online content for educators, students, and families. The legislation also requires the museum director to submit annual reports to Congress and provide briefings to congressional committees on how the funds are being used. Additionally, the bill includes a sense of Congress statement encouraging the federal government to lead efforts in improving the teaching of African American and other minority group histories.
Head start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act or the HEADWAY Act This bill allows some teachers in Early Head Start programs to teach while in the process of earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and completing training. Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must ensure that all teachers providing direct services to children and families in Early Head Start centers (1) have a minimum of a CDA credential and have been trained in early childhood development, and (2) have been trained in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development. The bill revises this requirement by requiring at least one teacher per classroom (instead of all teachers) to have a CDA credential and training. In particular, the bill requires HHS to ensure that (1) each additional teacher providing direct services to children and families is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training, and (2) the Early Head Start agency provides a mentor to oversee the progress and guide the work of a teacher who is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training.
The HELPER Act of 2025 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and teachers, allowing them to purchase homes with no down payment. It defines "first responders" as full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and K-12 teachers employed by government or accredited schools. The program requires applicants to be first-time homebuyers with 4 years of recent employment in their field, complete housing counseling, and intend to remain in their role for at least one year after closing. Mortgages under this program must be used for a primary residence, cover 100% of the home's appraised value, and exclude monthly insurance premiums.
Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2025 or the HELPER Act of 2025 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium.
HR 5084, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Enhancement Act, creates a new program to forgive federal undergraduate student loans for public school teachers after 8 years of full-time service. It directly affects public elementary and secondary school teachers who meet the 8-year employment requirement, forgiving the remaining principal and interest on their eligible federal undergraduate loans (including those made, insured, or guaranteed under specific parts of the Higher Education Act). Crucially, the forgiven amount is not considered taxable income under federal tax law. The bill also adds deferment provisions allowing teachers to pause loan payments and interest accrual during their teaching service and for six months afterward.
HR 6366, the Boosting the Rural STEM Pipeline Act, repeals a requirement that states contribute funds to the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This change eliminates the state cost-sharing obligation, making it easier for states to participate in the program. The bill directly affects states and school districts that use the Noyce scholarships to recruit and train STEM teachers, particularly in rural and high-need areas. The key provision removes the financial barrier for states, allowing more resources to support STEM educator development without requiring state matching funds.
This bill creates a national registry (NEMDR) to track educators with substantiated sexual misconduct involving students. It requires all schools and districts receiving federal funds to report misconduct findings, terminations, and resignations during investigations to both state agencies and the registry within 48 hours, prohibiting "passing the trash" (hiding misconduct records). The registry will be used during hiring for any position with student contact, and non-compliant schools or states risk losing federal education funding. It also establishes a federal task force to analyze data, identify systemic weaknesses, and provide technical assistance.
The Fusion Workforce Act (HR 4999) creates dedicated funding streams - $20 million annually for the National Science Foundation and $10 million annually for the Department of Energy - to support workforce development in fusion-related fields. It directly affects institutions of higher education (including community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges), National Laboratories, and industry partners by requiring grants for developing fusion-focused curricula, teacher training, hands-on learning experiences, and industry partnerships. Key mechanisms include establishing a national Fusion Education and Workforce Coordination Hub to share resources and address workforce gaps, supporting industry professional instructors in classrooms, and prioritizing outreach to underrepresented groups and rural communities. The bill mandates concrete activities like creating stackable credentials, modernizing lab facilities, and connecting students to internships, all aligned with fusion industry needs.
HR 5476, the PARA Educators Act, provides federal grants to states to help recruit and retain school support staff (paraprofessionals) in public elementary, secondary, and preschool programs. It allocates funds based on previous Title I education funding, requiring states to prioritize schools serving high numbers of low-income students or those meeting specific poverty criteria. States can use the funds for proven programs like mentoring for paraprofessionals, professional development, helping staff earn credentials (e.g., special education or English learner certificates), and increasing wages or offering retention bonuses. The law mandates annual reporting on wage baselines, paraprofessional employment, and program outcomes. This bill directly affects paraprofessionals and the schools they support, particularly in high-poverty communities.
