What does Preamble of HR 2021 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To provide grants to State educational agencies to support State efforts to increase teacher salaries, and for other purposes.' The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 10, 2025.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 2021 do?

This bill is formally titled the American Teacher Act.

What does FINDINGS. of HR 2021 do?

This section outlines findings related to the state of the teaching profession in the United States. It identifies teacher shortages as a significant threat to education access, leading to adjustments like shortened weeks and increased student-teacher ratios. The section highlights a 'teacher wage penalty,' which reached 23.5% in 2021, negatively impacting teacher recruitment and retention. Many teachers hold multiple jobs or rely on partner income to make ends meet, a situation exacerbated for teachers of color in under-resourced schools. The White House has called for strengthening teaching career pathways and ensuring competitive wages, and numerous states have proposed related legislation. The findings emphasize the need to raise awareness of the value of teaching and provide compensation that reflects that value to restore stability in schools and ensure equitable access to education.

What does GRANTS TO SUPPORT STATE EFFORTS TO INCREASE TEACHER SALARIES. of HR 2021 do?

This section establishes a program of grants to State educational agencies to support efforts to increase teacher salaries. The grants are intended to ensure that full-time teachers at qualifying schools earn at least $60,000 annually, adjusted for inflation. To receive a grant, states must submit an application including a sustainability plan demonstrating how they will maintain the minimum salary after the 4-year grant period. States must assure they will enact legislation if necessary to establish minimum teacher salary requirements. At least 85% of grant funds must be used to award subgrants to local educational agencies. Priority for subgrants will be given to agencies serving schools receiving Title I funds or located in specific rural areas. The base minimum salary is set at $60,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Grant funds are intended to supplement, not supplant, existing federal, state, and local funding for teacher salaries. State and local agencies must demonstrate that teachers receive the same level of funding for compensation regardless of the Act's enactment.

What does GRANTS FOR ADJUSTMENT OF TEACHER SALARIES. of HR 2021 do?

This section establishes a grant program for State educational agencies to provide cost-of-living adjustments to teacher salaries. To be eligible, a State must have a minimum annual base salary of $60,000 for full-time teachers at qualifying schools. States must also demonstrate that inflation prevents them from adjusting salaries for cost-of-living. The grant amount will be used to increase salaries by a percentage equal to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index. State educational agencies must submit an application to the Secretary of Education to receive a grant.

What does ENHANCED AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF TEACHING PROFESSION. of HR 2021 do?

This section allows the Secretary to reserve up to 4 percent of appropriated funds for a national campaign. The campaign's purpose is to increase awareness of the importance of teachers and the value of the teaching profession. The campaign aims to encourage secondary and college students to consider teaching as a career. The campaign intends to diversify the pool of individuals entering the teaching profession.

What does RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. of HR 2021 do?

This section establishes a rule of construction for the Act. The Act is not to be interpreted as changing existing rights, remedies, or procedures for school or local educational agency employees. These rights, remedies, and procedures are based on Federal, State, or local laws, regulations, court orders, or collective bargaining agreements.

What does DEFINITIONS. of HR 2021 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. Terms like 'elementary school,' 'local educational agency,' 'secondary school,' 'Secretary,' 'State,' and 'State educational agency' are defined using the meanings established in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. A 'qualifying school' is defined as a public elementary or secondary school. A 'teacher' is defined as an individual who meets specific criteria, including being a teacher of record, providing direct classroom instruction for a certain number of hours, meeting state certification requirements, and possessing skills for effective classroom practice. A 'teacher of record' is defined as an individual assigned responsibility for pupils' learning, possessing teaching and classroom management skills, and demonstrating the ability to plan and deliver instruction to diverse students.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of HR 2021 do?

This section authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act. The authorized funding period is fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Back to bills

American Teacher Act — HR. 2021

Last updated: 3/10/2025 · Introduced: 3/10/2025

Author: Frederica Wilson (D-FL)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes grant programs to help states increase teacher salaries, aiming for a minimum of $60,000 annually, adjusted for inflation, in qualifying schools.
States receiving grants must demonstrate a plan to sustain the minimum salary after the grant period and may need to enact legislation to establish those requirements.
Priority for subgrant funding will be given to schools receiving Title I funds or located in designated rural areas.
The bill creates a separate grant program to provide cost-of-living adjustments to teacher salaries for states that already meet the $60,000 minimum.
It authorizes funding for a national campaign to raise awareness of the teaching profession and encourage more students to pursue teaching careers.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 7 more.

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