Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) have introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act. The legislation aims to strengthen the education workforce by creating career pathways, expanding professional development, and raising wages for paraeducators across the United States. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) is leading companion legislation in the Senate.
Paraeducators work under certified teachers to provide instructional, behavioral, and personal support to students, especially those with disabilities. There are more than 1.2 million paraeducators nationwide who play a key role in classrooms. However, low pay, limited training opportunities, and high turnover rates have made it difficult to maintain this workforce.
“I’ve sat in classrooms across Pennsylvania’s First District and witnessed incredible paraeducators transform students’ days—guiding them through lessons, calming crises, and making inclusion possible. Yet despite their central role in student success, they’ve been left without the pay, training, and respect their work deserves,” said Fitzpatrick. “The bipartisan PARA Educators Act changes that by raising wages, expanding professional development, and creating real career pathways—because when paraeducators are supported, every child has the chance to thrive.”
“Our classroom staff and educators are the backbone of our schools and help students succeed daily—often without enough recognition or pay. This has contributed to a severe paraprofessional shortage nationwide, especially in our rural areas.” said McBath. “With the American education system already under strain, staffing shortages mean that our students aren’t being set up for success. The PARA Educators Act will allow investment in our educators so they can continue to inspire our students and our communities. I thank my colleagues for joining me on the important legislation.”
“As the Trump administration continues its relentless attack on education, it is more important than ever that we ensure paraprofessionals receive the support, compensation, and professional development opportunities they deserve,” said Senator Markey. “Instructional assistants, teachers’ aides, special education aides, and other educators keep our schools running and students thriving—often with little recognition and low pay. My PARA Educators Act will invest in these educators what they invest in our students, our communities, and our future.”
The bill seeks to address national shortages caused by low wages and lack of advancement opportunities for paraeducators by funding state and district efforts aimed at improving pay as well as working conditions. Recruitment initiatives will focus particularly on high-need rural and urban communities.
Key provisions include establishing a new U.S. Department of Education grant program supporting recruitment efforts; prioritizing funding for rural or urban districts where shortages are most severe; expanding access to professional development; as well as providing credentialing opportunities designed to help paraeducators advance their careers.
The PARA Educators Act has received endorsements from several organizations including the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Advocacy Institute,
Autism Society,
CommunicationFIRST,
Council for Exceptional Children,
National Rural Education Association,
National Center for Learning Disabilities,
AFSCME,
The Arc,
Citizens for Public Schools,
Council of Administrators of Special Education,
and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.
Brian Fitzpatrick has represented Pennsylvania’s 1st District since 2017 after replacing Mike Fitzpatrick in Congress.
He was born in Philadelphia in 1973
and currently lives in Levittown.
Fitzpatrick graduated from La Salle University with a BS degree before earning his JD from Pennsylvania State University.
