H.R. 5476: Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act

H.R. 5476 creates a new federal grant program for paraprofessionals in public schools and preschool programs. States would get money through a formula tied to their share of Title I funding, then pass most of it on through competitive subgrants to school districts and educational service agencies.

The money can be used for the things paraprofessionals are most likely to feel directly: higher wages, bonus pay, mentoring, professional development, and credentials in areas like special education, English learner support, advanced paraeducator roles, or teaching. In other words, the bill is not just about filling vacancies. It is also about making these jobs easier to keep.

The targeting is deliberate. States must prioritize applicants serving more low-income students, rural communities, or schools with very high concentrations of students already identified for meal assistance. That means the first dollars are supposed to flow to districts where staffing pressure is often hardest.

The bill also requires annual reporting on average paraprofessional pay, wage increases, hiring, and how many workers still earn less than local or statewide averages. There is no fixed price tag in the text — Congress authorizes whatever sums are needed from fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and future appropriations would decide how large the program actually becomes.