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Congress·In Committee·S. 4025

Sen. Smith Introduces Addressing Teacher Shortages Act to Fund Rural and Diverse Educator Programs

Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026

13 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

  • This bill creates a competitive federal grant program to help local school districts recruit and retain teachers, with a strong focus on rural areas, high-need subjects like STEM and special education, and diversifying the teaching workforce.

    From policy text

    “the Secretary shall establish an Addressing Teacher Shortages Program, through which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out activities described in subsection (d)”
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  • At least 25% of grant funds must go toward rural teacher shortages, 25% toward high-need subjects, and 25% toward making the teaching workforce more diverse. An additional 5% is reserved for schools supported by the Bureau of Indian Education.

    From policy text

    “reserve 5 percent of the grant funds available to carry out this section for the Secretary of the Interior, to enable the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the purposes of this Act in schools supported by the Bureau of Indian Education”
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  • Schools can use grant money for teaching residency programs that cover a resident's tuition and salary in exchange for a commitment to teach in the community for at least three years after completing their training.

    From policy text

    “Establishing or expanding teaching residency programs, which may include covering-- (A) all or part of a resident's tuition in exchange for a commitment to teach in the community for a minimum of 3 years; (B) resident salaries; (C) mentor teacher incentives”
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  • The bill supports 'Grow Your Own' programs that recruit local community members — like paraprofessionals and substitute teachers who have worked in a school for at least three years — and help them become fully certified teachers.

    From policy text

    “individuals who, as of the date of the individuals' application or acceptance into the program-- (i) are employed by a local educational agency participating in the eligible entity as a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, or other employee of the school community; and (ii) have been so employed for not less than 3 years”
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  • New teachers would receive structured mentoring and induction support during their first two years in the classroom, pairing them with experienced teachers in the same subject area to reduce early career burnout and turnover.

    From policy text

    “establishing induction programs for novice teachers during their first 2 years in the profession”
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  • The bill authorizes funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 but does not specify dollar amounts, leaving it up to Congress to decide how much money to actually provide each year.

    From policy text

    “There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 9, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Mar 9, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026

Bill NumberS 4025
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsor

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