Pay Teachers Act

Subjects: Education


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 766 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 766

   To ensure that teachers are paid a livable and competitive salary 
            throughout their career, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 9, 2023

Mr. Sanders (for himself, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Markey, Ms. Warren, Mr. Welch, 
  Ms. Hirono, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Padilla) introduced the following 
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To ensure that teachers are paid a livable and competitive salary 
            throughout their career, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pay Teachers 
Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Findings.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Regulations; special rule.
              TITLE I--INVESTING IN OUR NATION'S STUDENTS

Sec. 101. Mandatory appropriations for part A of title I of the ESEA.
Sec. 102. Mandatory appropriations for rural education.
Sec. 103. Mandatory appropriations for impact aid.
Sec. 104. Mandatory appropriations for Bureau of Indian Education.
                 TITLE II--INCREASING TEACHER SALARIES

Sec. 201. State teacher salary plan addendum.
Sec. 202. Paying teachers a livable and competitive salary.
Sec. 203. Technical assistance to support the equitable distribution of 
                            in-field, experienced, and effective 
                            teachers.
Sec. 204. Improving resource equity at schools identified for 
                            improvement.
Sec. 205. Strengthening per-pupil expenditure reporting.
Sec. 206. Maintenance of equity.
Sec. 207. State administration.
Sec. 208. National Academies study to improve ESEA's resource equity 
                            requirements.
            TITLE III--INVESTING IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Sec. 301. Mandatory appropriations for the Teacher Quality Partnerships 
                            and Grow Your Own programs.
Sec. 302. Mandatory appropriations for the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers 
                            of Excellence program.
Sec. 303. Mandatory appropriations for personnel development to improve 
                            services and results for children with 
                            disabilities under part D of IDEA.
Sec. 304. Mandatory appropriations for the Supporting Effective 
                            Educator Development program.
Sec. 305. Mandatory appropriations for the Teacher and School Leader 
                            Incentive program to support continued 
                            teacher growth and contributions to student 
                            learning.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) ensure public elementary and secondary school teachers 
        earn a livable salary and are compensated with a career-based 
        competitive salary that--
                    (A) includes a starting annual base salary of not 
                less than $60,000; and
                    (B) increases regularly throughout a teacher's 
                career;
            (2) increase Federal investments in public schools, and 
        call upon States and local governments to increase investments 
        in public education in order to promote educational equity, 
        including by ensuring that every public school student is 
        taught by a qualified teacher; and
            (3) invest in a diverse teacher workforce, by strengthening 
        the educator pipeline and supporting career development and 
        advancement through expanded teacher leadership and 
        professional advancement opportunities.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) In the majority of States, public elementary and 
        secondary school teachers do not earn a livable and competitive 
        salary. According to the 2022 report by the Economic Policy 
        Institute--
                    (A) over the past nearly 3 decades, the average 
                inflation-adjusted weekly wages of public school 
                teachers grew just $29 from $1,319 to $1,348 while, 
                conversely, ``inflation-adjusted weekly wages of other 
                college graduates rose from $1,564 to $2,009 over the 
                same period--a $445 increase.'';
                    (B) non-teaching college graduates realized an 
                inflation-adjusted weekly increase that was 15 times 
                higher than public school teachers; and
                    (C) ``in 28 states, teachers are paid less than 80 
                cents on the dollar earned by similar college-educated 
                workers in those states.''.
            (2) Many teachers across the country are working multiple 
        jobs and have to rely on public assistance programs just to 
        make ends meet. According to the Southern Regional Education 
        Board, in 36 States, the average teacher salary is low enough 
        that mid-career teachers who are the head of household for a 
        family of 4 qualify for government benefits. According to a 
        University of California, Berkeley study, between 2014 and 
        2016, 21 percent of elementary and middle school teachers were 
        part of families enrolled in at least one of the following 
        public assistance programs:
                    (A) The Earned Income Tax Credit under section 32 
                of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
                    (B) The Medicaid program.
                    (C) The Children's Health Insurance program.
                    (D) The supplemental nutrition assistance program 
                established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
                U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
                    (E) The program of block grants to States for 
                temporary assistance for needy families established 
                under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
                U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
            (3) One estimate shows that in school year 2020-2021, 17 
        percent of public school teachers worked multiple jobs during 
        the school year, such as working in restaurants or driving for 
        ride-share platforms.
            (4) A similar pattern of inflation-adjusted weekly wages 
        can be seen for school paraprofessionals and other 
        instructional staff. The lack of sufficient and competitive 
        wages is even more pronounced in other school staff roles, with 
        many school staff unable to earn a livable wage. The median pay 
        in the 2019-2020 school year was $13 an hour for school food 
        service workers, $16.36 an hour for bus drivers, $15.34 an hour 
        for school building and cleaning workers, and $19.50 an hour 
        for school administrative and support workers.
            (5) According to the National Education Association, the 
        average starting teacher salary in the United States was 
        $42,845 in the 2021-2022 school year. This is an increase of 
        2.5 percent over the previous school year. Only 1.8 percent of 
        local educational agencies in the United States, who employ 5.9 
        percent of all teachers, pay a starting salary of $60,000 or 
        more. Nationwide, 39.7 percent of local educational agencies 
        pay their starting teachers less than $40,000, and those local 
        educational agencies employ 17.9 percent of teachers 
        nationwide.
            (6) According to a 2022 study from the Annenberg Institute 
        at Brown University, the most recent national data shows that 
        nearly 200,000 teaching positions were either vacant or held by 
        underqualified teachers. This study, and others, consistently 
        demonstrate that teacher shortages disproportionately impact 
        schools serving the most students of color and from low-income 
        backgrounds.
            (7) Nearly 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education of 
        Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), required the provision of public 
        education to all people ``on equal terms,'' children of color, 
        children with disabilities, and children in low-income 
        communities are routinely denied a high-quality education. The 
        Civil Rights Data Collection of the Office for Civil Rights of 
        the Department of Education shows that schools with high 
        enrollment of students of color are 4 times as likely to employ 
        uncertified teachers compared to schools with low enrollment of 
        students of color. Additional studies show that teachers with 
        less than 3 years of experience are concentrated in schools 
        serving a high percentage of students from low-income 
        backgrounds and students of color.
            (8) Research, including a study by the Economic Policy 
        Institute, has found that raising teacher salaries helps 
        attract the best and brightest young people into teaching, 
        encourages teachers to teach in underserved schools, improves 
        teacher retention and morale, and bolsters student academic 
        outcomes. According to the Learning Policy Institute, 
        controlling for other factors, teachers employed by local 
        educational agencies with the highest salary schedules are 31 
        percent less likely to leave than teachers employed by local 
        educational agencies with lower pay scales.
            (9) According to the Consortium for Policy Research in 
        Education at the University of Pennsylvania, teachers who enter 
        the profession through comprehensive and high-quality pathways 
        are 2 to 3 times more likely to remain in the profession than 
        underprepared teachers who enter through less than 
        comprehensive pathways.
            (10) Several studies have shown the many benefits of 
        providing opportunities for teacher leadership, which include 
        improving instructional practice, increasing academic and other 
        positive outcomes for students, and increasing teacher 
        retention.
            (11) Teachers in the United States are systemically 
        underpaid compared to their similarly educated peers. As the 
        Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development wrote in 
        2019, ``Depending on the level of education taught, teachers' 
        salaries are between 62 percent and 68 percent of the average 
        salaries of tertiary-educated workers. These relative earnings 
        are among the lowest across all OECD countries and 
        economies.''.
            (12) Raising teacher salaries to at least $60,000 a year 
        and ensuring competitive pay throughout the lifetime of the 
        teaching career is one of the most important steps the United 
        States can take to address the teacher shortage crisis and 
        ensure all students have access to qualified teachers and 
        educational opportunity. Paying teachers as the professionals 
        they are is critical in order to honor the work of educators, 
        restore respect to the teaching profession, and create a high-
        quality public education system that serves the needs of 
        students, families, and teachers.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Annual adjustment percentage.--The term ``annual 
        adjustment percentage'', with respect to appropriations made 
        under this Act for a fiscal year, means a percentage equal to 
        the estimated percentage change in the Consumer Price Index, as 
        determined by the Secretary of Education, for the most recent 
        calendar year ending prior to the beginning of such fiscal 
        year.
            (2) Consumer price index.--The term ``Consumer Price 
        Index'' has the meaning given the term in section 478(f) of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087rr(f)).
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Education.

SEC. 5. REGULATIONS; SPECIAL RULE.

    (a) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations related to the 
implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, 
including the provisions of subsection (i) of section 6311 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311), as 
added by this Act.
    (b) Special Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary may take such steps as the Secretary determines are 
reasonably necessary to implement the provisions of this Act and the 
amendments made by this Act.

              TITLE I--INVESTING IN OUR NATION'S STUDENTS

SEC. 101. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PART A OF TITLE I OF THE ESEA.

    In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to carry out part A of title I of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.)--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $36,773,604,000; and
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
        increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 102. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR RURAL EDUCATION.

    In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to carry out part B of title V of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7341 et seq.)--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $430,000,000; and
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
        increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 103. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR IMPACT AID.

    In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to provide payments for eligible federally connected children 
under section 7003(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7703(b))--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $1,460,000,000; and
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
        increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 104. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the Bureau of Indian 
        Education.
            (2) Bureau-funded school.--The term ``Bureau-funded 
        school'' has the meaning given the term in section 1141 of the 
        Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021).
            (3) Minimum salary for teachers.--The term ``minimum salary 
        for teachers'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        1111(i)(1)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(i)(1)(A)), except that the amount 
        described in such section shall be determined by the Director 
        of the Bureau, in consultation with the Secretary, instead of 
        by a State.
    (b) Appropriations.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, 
there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to the Bureau to be allocated by the Director of the 
Bureau for programs or activities operated or funded by the Bureau for 
Bureau-funded schools--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $1,130,000,000; and
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
        increased by the annual adjustment percentage.
    (c) Livable and Competitive Salaries for BIE Teachers.--Each entity 
carrying out a program or activity operated by the Bureau for Bureau-
funded schools that receives funds under subsection (b) shall ensure, 
in accordance with a timeline established by the Director of the 
Bureau, that all full-time elementary and secondary teachers employed 
for such program or activity--
            (1) are compensated with an annual base salary, as such 
        term is defined in section 1111(i)(1)(A) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(i)(1)(A)), that 
        is not less than the minimum salary for teachers; and
            (2) are compensated with a livable and competitive salary, 
        in accordance with the requirements of section 1111(i)(2)(B) of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        6311(i)(2)(B)), except that procedures and requirements 
        described in clause (ii) of such section shall be established 
        by the Director of the Bureau, in consultation with the 
        Secretary, instead of the Secretary.

                 TITLE II--INCREASING TEACHER SALARIES

SEC. 201. STATE TEACHER SALARY PLAN ADDENDUM.

    Section 1111(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) State teacher salary plan addendum.--Not later than 1 
        year after the date on which the Secretary issues final rules 
        related to the implementation of the Pay Teachers Act in 
        accordance with section 5 of such Act, a State that receives 
        assistance under this part shall submit the State's Teacher 
        Salary Plan Addendum to the Secretary in accordance with the 
        procedures and requirements determined by the Secretary. The 
        State's Teacher Salary Plan Addendum shall include each of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) A description of the State's plan to provide 
                a competitive salary regularly throughout the career of 
                public elementary school and secondary school teachers, 
                including an assurance that the State will--
                            ``(i) under the timeline specified in 
                        subsection (i), comply with subparagraphs (A) 
                        and (B) of subsection (i)(2); or
                            ``(ii) not later than 1 year after the date 
                        the Secretary issues final rules in accordance 
                        with section 5 of the Pay Teachers Act, submit 
                        a request to the Secretary to participate in 
                        the Teacher Salary Improvement pathway and for 
                        an extended timeline to comply with the teacher 
                        salary requirements described in subparagraphs 
                        (A) and (B) of subsection (i)(2), if the State 
                        meets the eligibility criteria described in 
                        subsection (i)(4).
                    ``(B) A description of the State's plan to increase 
                the State's per-pupil expenditures or the aggregate 
                expenditures of the State with respect to the provision 
                of free public education in the State, in a manner 
                that--
                            ``(i) supports local educational agencies 
                        in increasing salaries or wages for teachers, 
                        paraprofessionals, specialized instructional 
                        support personnel, classified school employees, 
                        principals, other school leaders, school 
                        librarians, school bus drivers, and other staff 
                        across their careers, including through 
                        providing increased resources to local 
                        educational agencies; and
                            ``(ii) does not--
                                    ``(I) increase average class sizes 
                                or student to full-time equivalent 
                                teacher ratios at the State, local 
                                educational agency, or school level;
                                    ``(II) reduce planning time; or
                                    ``(III) require teachers to teach 
                                additional classes.
                    ``(C) An identification, with respect to the 
                average teacher salary baselines (as such term is 
                defined in subsection (i)(4)(A)(i)) in the most recent 
                fiscal year, of the statewide average and the average 
                in each local educational agency in the State.
                    ``(D) An identification of the number and 
                percentage of teachers employed by local educational 
                agencies in the State who earn a salary of less than 
                $60,000 annually, disaggregated by each period of 
                service specified in subsection (i)(4)(A)(i), across 
                the State and in each such local educational agency.
                    ``(E) A description of the State's plan to comply 
                with the equitable distribution of teachers requirement 
                under paragraph (1)(B).
                    ``(F) A description of the State's plan to align 
                State activities authorized under section 2102 to 
                support the purposes under section 2 of the Pay 
                Teachers Act.
                    ``(G) If the State participated in an eligible 
                partnership that received a grant under section 202 of 
                the Higher Education Act of 1965, a description of the 
                State's plan to implement evidence-based practices and 
                effective lessons learned from such grant to promote 
                teacher quality and student academic achievement in 
                carrying out this part.
            ``(6) Updated state teacher salary plan addendum.--The 
        Secretary may request, at such time and in such manner as the 
        Secretary may determine, an updated State Teacher Salary Plan 
        Addendum. The State shall submit such updated plan upon 
        request.''.

SEC. 202. PAYING TEACHERS A LIVABLE AND COMPETITIVE SALARY.

    Section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6311) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (i), (j), (k), and (l), as 
        subsections (j), (k), (l), and (m), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following:
    ``(i) Improving Teacher Salaries.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In this subsection:
                            ``(i) Annual adjustment percentage.--The 
                        term `annual adjustment percentage', with 
                        respect to a fiscal year, means a percentage 
                        equal to the estimated percentage change in the 
                        Consumer Price Index, as determined by the 
                        Secretary, for the most recent calendar year 
                        ending prior to the beginning of such fiscal 
                        year.
                            ``(ii) Annual base salary.--The term 
                        `annual base salary'--
                                    ``(I) means the base salary, 
                                calculated as an annual rate of pay, of 
                                a full-time teacher; and
                                    ``(II) excludes--
                                            ``(aa) any additional 
                                        compensation earned by the 
                                        teacher for taking on 
                                        additional responsibilities 
                                        (such as coaching or teaching 
                                        during the summer or after 
                                        school); and
                                            ``(bb) bonuses, stipends, 
                                        and awards.
                            ``(iii) Consumer price index.--The term 
                        `Consumer Price Index' has the meaning given 
                        the term in section 478(f) of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965.
                            ``(iv) Minimum salary for teachers.--The 
                        term `minimum salary for teachers' means an 
                        amount, determined by the State, that all full-
                        time teachers employed by a local educational 
                        agency are, at a minimum, required by the State 
                        to be compensated by such agency as their 
                        annual base salary, and which--
                                    ``(I) for teachers in their first 
                                year of teaching, shall be an annual 
                                rate of pay that is not less than the 
                                amount described in subparagraph (B); 
                                and
                                    ``(II) for teachers with more than 
                                one year of experience, shall be an 
                                annual rate of pay that--
                                            ``(aa) is greater than the 
                                        amount described in 
                                        subparagraph (B); and
                                            ``(bb) increases on an 
                                        annual basis, as the experience 
                                        of a teacher increases.
                            ``(v) Teacher.--The term `teacher' means--
                                    ``(I) an employee of a local 
                                educational agency--
                                            ``(aa) with a primary duty 
                                        of teaching and who is employed 
                                        and engaged in teaching in a 
                                        public elementary school or 
                                        secondary school served by such 
                                        agency;
                                            ``(bb) who fully meets all 
                                        applicable public elementary 
                                        school or secondary school 
                                        teacher certification and 
                                        licensure requirements of the 
                                        State in which the school is 
                                        located; and
                                            ``(cc) if the teacher is a 
                                        special education teacher, who 
                                        meets the qualifications 
                                        described in section 
                                        612(a)(14)(C) of the 
                                        Individuals with Disabilities 
                                        Education Act; and
                                    ``(II) other full-time public 
                                elementary school or secondary school 
                                personnel employed by a local 
                                educational agency whose annual base 
                                salary is determined in accordance with 
                                such agency's salary schedule or system 
                                for a full-time teacher.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--
                            ``(i) In general.--For each fiscal year, 
                        the amount described in subparagraph (A)(iv)(I) 
                        shall be determined under this subparagraph.
                            ``(ii) Fiscal years 2024 through 2028.--For 
                        each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, the 
                        amount described in subparagraph (A)(iv)(I) is 
                        $60,000.
                            ``(iii) Fiscal years 2029 and after.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--For the fiscal 
                                year period 2029 through 2033 and for 
                                each subsequent 5 fiscal year period, 
                                the amount described in subparagraph 
                                (A)(iv)(I) shall be adjusted for 
                                inflation as described in subclause 
                                (II).
                                    ``(II) Determination.--The amount 
                                shall be equal to the amount applicable 
                                for the previous 5 fiscal year period, 
                                increased by the greater of--
                                            ``(aa) the aggregate annual 
                                        adjustment percentage over the 
                                        previous 5 fiscal years; or
                                            ``(bb) 2 percent of the 
                                        amount applicable under this 
                                        subparagraph for the previous 5 
                                        fiscal year period.
            ``(2) Improving teacher salaries.--
                    ``(A) Minimum salary for teachers.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to paragraphs 
                        (3) and (4), a State that receives assistance 
                        under this part shall ensure that the annual 
                        base salary of a full-time teacher employed by 
                        a local educational agency in the State is not 
                        less than the minimum salary for teachers 
                        determined by such State.
                            ``(ii) Compliance.--To comply with clause 
                        (i), a State shall adopt one or more of the 
                        following laws or policies, under which no 
                        full-time teacher shall receive an annual base 
                        salary that is less than the minimum salary for 
                        teachers:
                                    ``(I) A statewide minimum annual 
                                base salary schedule for teachers that 
                                increases as the experience of a 
                                teacher increases.
                                    ``(II) A statewide minimum annual 
                                base salary for teachers who are in 
                                their first year of teaching.
                                    ``(III) A State law to increase 
                                salaries for teachers.
                    ``(B) Livable and competitive salaries for 
                teachers.--Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), a State 
                that receives assistance under this part shall 
                demonstrate that all teachers employed by local 
                educational agencies in the State are compensated with 
                a livable and competitive salary for teachers, which 
                shall be an amount that--
                            ``(i) is at least the minimum salary for 
                        teachers;
                            ``(ii) increases throughout each teacher's 
                        career; and
                            ``(iii) is at least commensurate with 
                        annual salaries for college-educated and 
                        experienced professionals in the region in 
                        which such agencies are located, as determined 
                        in accordance with procedures and requirements 
                        established by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Disparities in per-pupil expenditures.--Not 
                less frequently than every 5 years, a State that 
                receives assistance under this part shall examine and 
                address fiscal inequities among schools and local 
                educational agencies in the State, including by working 
                with the Governor, members of the State legislature and 
                State board of education (if the State has a State 
                board of education), local educational agencies that 
                serve schools in the quartile described in clause (i), 
                and the public, to--
                            ``(i) identify the quartile of schools 
                        serving the greatest number and percentage of 
                        students from low-income backgrounds;
                            ``(ii) identify the average per-pupil 
                        expenditure of the quartile of local 
                        educational agencies with the greatest per-
                        pupil expenditures in the State; and
                            ``(iii) implement State and local actions 
                        to increase per-pupil expenditures at schools 
                        described in clause (i) to an amount that is 
                        not less than the average per-pupil expenditure 
                        described in clause (ii).
            ``(3) Timing.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall ensure that, not 
                later than 4 years after the date of implementation of 
                the final regulations issued in accordance with section 
                5 of the Pay Teachers Act, each State that receives 
                assistance under this part meets the teacher salary 
                requirements described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
                paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) Exception.--A State, if eligible, may request 
                and be approved by the Secretary to participate in the 
                Teacher Salary Improvement pathway described in 
                paragraph (4) that provides an extended timeline to 
                comply with the teacher salary requirements described 
                in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Teacher salary improvement pathway.--
                    ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Average teacher salary baselines.--
                        The term `average teacher salary baselines' 
                        means, for each of the following years of 
                        service as teachers, the average annual base 
                        salaries of all full-time teachers employed by 
                        local educational agencies in the State:
                                    ``(I) 0 years, or starting teacher 
                                salaries.
                                    ``(II) 3 years.
                                    ``(III) 5 years.
                                    ``(IV) 10 years.
                                    ``(V) 15 years.
                                    ``(VI) 20 years.
                                    ``(VII) 25 years.
                            ``(ii) Eligible improvement state.--The 
                        term `eligible improvement State' means a 
                        State--
                                    ``(I) that had an annual starting 
                                statewide teacher salary average that 
                                was less than $45,000 in fiscal year 
                                2023;
                                    ``(II) in which 50 percent or more 
                                of the teachers employed by local 
                                educational agencies in the State did 
                                not receive an annual base salary of 
                                $60,000 or more in fiscal year 2023; 
                                and
                                    ``(III) that demonstrates to the 
                                Secretary substantial need for the 
                                extended timeline to comply with the 
                                teacher salary requirements described 
                                in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
                                paragraph (2), and with respect to 
                                which the Secretary determines that 
                                providing such State with an extended 
                                timeline would be equitable due to--
                                            ``(aa) exceptional or 
                                        uncontrollable circumstances, 
                                        such as a natural disaster or a 
                                        change in the organizational 
                                        structure of the State; or
                                            ``(bb) a precipitous 
                                        decline in the financial 
                                        resources of the State.
                    ``(B) In general.--A State educational agency, on 
                behalf of an eligible improvement State, that desires 
                to participate in the Teacher Salary Improvement 
                pathway and needs an extended timeline to comply with 
                the teacher salary requirements described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) shall submit 
                a request to the Secretary to participate in the 
                Teacher Salary Improvement pathway, which shall include 
                a plan to increase teacher salaries that, at a minimum, 
                includes each of the following:
                            ``(i) An identification, with respect to 
                        the average teacher salary baselines, of the 
                        statewide average and the average in each local 
                        educational agency in the State, and an 
                        assurance that the State will--
                                    ``(I) make such information 
                                publicly available on the State 
                                educational agency's website; and
                                    ``(II) update that information on 
                                an annual basis.
                            ``(ii) A timeline, consistent with the 
                        goals required under clause (iii), to ensure 
                        that, not later than 6 years after the receipt 
                        of approval to participate in the Teacher 
                        Salary Improvement pathway under this 
                        paragraph--
                                    ``(I) all teachers employed by 
                                local educational agencies operating in 
                                the State are paid not less than the 
                                minimum salary for teachers; and
                                    ``(II) all teachers employed by 
                                local educational agencies operating in 
                                the State are compensated with a 
                                livable and competitive salary, in 
                                accordance with the requirements of 
                                paragraph (2)(B).
                            ``(iii) For each fiscal year in the 
                        timeline specified in clause (ii), statewide 
                        annual goals for increasing average teacher 
                        salary baselines in a manner that--
                                    ``(I) annually proposes a 
                                percentage increase in the average 
                                teacher salary baselines, disaggregated 
                                by each period of service described in 
                                subparagraph (A)(i);
                                    ``(II) provides for the first 
                                increase to occur not later than 2 
                                fiscal years after the receipt of 
                                approval to participate in the Teacher 
                                Salary Improvement pathway; and
                                    ``(III) makes significant progress 
                                toward ensuring that teachers are paid 
                                an annual base salary in accordance 
                                with the requirements specified in 
                                subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (ii) 
                                by the end of the timeline described in 
                                such clause.
                            ``(iv) A description of the State's plan to 
                        require all local educational agencies in the 
                        State, for any fiscal year in which an agency 
                        does not pay their teachers the minimum salary 
                        for teachers, to--
                                    ``(I) at a minimum, increase the 
                                salaries of the teachers employed by 
                                such agency in accordance with the 
                                statewide annual goals established in 
                                clause (iii) for that fiscal year; and
                                    ``(II) ensure those increases in 
                                salaries required under subclause (I) 
                                are aligned with the livable and 
                                competitive salary requirements 
                                described in paragraph (2)(B).
                            ``(v) An identification of the number of 
                        teachers employed by local educational agencies 
                        in the State who earn less than the minimum 
                        salary for teachers, disaggregated by each 
                        period of service described in subparagraph 
                        (A)(i), across the State and employed by each 
                        local educational agency.
                            ``(vi) A description of the State's plan to 
                        support local educational agencies in 
                        increasing salaries or wages for teachers, 
                        paraprofessionals, specialized instructional 
                        support personnel, classified school employees, 
                        principals, other school leaders, school 
                        librarians, school bus drivers, and other staff 
                        across their careers, including through 
                        providing increased resources to local 
                        educational agencies.
                            ``(vii) A description of how the State will 
                        meet the requirements described in 
                        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) 
                        without--
                                    ``(I) increasing the average class 
                                sizes or student to full-time 
                                equivalent teacher ratios;
                                    ``(II) reducing planning time;
                                    ``(III) or requiring teachers to 
                                teach additional classes at the State, 
                                local educational agency, or school 
                                level.
                            ``(viii) A description of how the State 
                        will meet the equitable distribution 
                        requirement under subsection (g)(1)(B) during 
                        the period of the State's participation in the 
                        Teacher Salary Pay Improvement pathway and 
                        after the State exits the pathway.
                    ``(C) Public comment.--A State educational agency 
                that submits an extension request to participate in the 
                Teacher Salary Improvement pathway under this paragraph 
                shall--
                            ``(i) provide the public and any interested 
                        local educational agency in the State with 
                        notice and a reasonable and easily accessible 
                        opportunity to comment and provide input on the 
                        request;
                            ``(ii) submit a summary of the comments to 
                        the Secretary, with a description of how the 
                        State addressed the comments, and make such 
                        summary with description publicly available on 
                        the website of the State educational agency; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) provide notice and a reasonable 
                        time to comment to the public and local 
                        educational agencies.
                    ``(D) Duration and repeat requests to participate 
                in the teacher salary improvement pathway.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A request approved by 
                        the Secretary under this paragraph may be for a 
                        period of not more than 6 years.
                            ``(ii) Revising goals.--If a State 
                        demonstrates to the Secretary that such State 
                        is making substantial progress in meeting its 
                        statewide annual goals described in 
                        subparagraph (B)(iii) and demonstrates the need 
                        for additional flexibility to revise such goals 
                        to continue to make substantial progress in 
                        reaching the requirements described in 
                        subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph 
                        (B)(ii), such State may, not earlier than 3 
                        years after such State's request to participate 
                        in the Teacher Salary Improvement pathway was 
                        approved by the Secretary, revise their 
                        statewide annual goals described in 
                        subparagraph (B)(iii) if the Secretary 
                        determines such revisions will help the State 
                        continue to make significant progress in 
                        meeting such requirements.
                            ``(iii) Subsequent requests to participate 
                        in the teacher salary improvement pathway.--A 
                        State educational agency that wishes to receive 
                        an additional approval to participate in the 
                        Teacher Salary Improvement pathway under this 
                        paragraph shall submit a new request, in 
                        accordance with the requirements of 
                        subparagraphs (B) and (C), if the State 
                        demonstrates that the initial request has been 
                        effective in enabling the State to increase 
                        teacher salaries in a manner that made 
                        significant progress in reaching the 
                        requirements described in subclauses (I) and 
                        (II) of subparagraph (B)(ii).
                    ``(E) Determinations and revision.--
                            ``(i) Determinations.--The Secretary shall 
                        issue a written determination regarding the 
                        initial approval or disapproval of a request to 
                        participate in the Teacher Salary Improvement 
                        pathway not more than 120 days after the date 
                        on which such request is submitted. Initial 
                        disapproval of such request shall be based on 
                        the determination of the Secretary that--
                                    ``(I) the request does not meet the 
                                requirements of this paragraph; or
                                    ``(II) the State's plan to increase 
                                teacher salaries under subparagraph (B) 
                                is not designed to make significant 
                                progress within a reasonable timeline 
                                to ensure that--
                                            ``(aa) all teachers 
                                        employed by local educational 
                                        agencies in the State are paid 
                                        not less than the minimum 
                                        salary for teachers; and
                                            ``(bb) all teachers 
                                        employed by local educational 
                                        agencies in the State are 
                                        compensated with a livable and 
                                        competitive salary, in 
                                        accordance with the 
                                        requirements in paragraph 
                                        (2)(B).
                            ``(ii) Revision and disapproval.--The 
                        Secretary shall act on requests to participate 
                        in the Teacher Salary Improvement pathway under 
                        this paragraph in a manner that is similar to 
                        the actions of the Secretary for waiver 
                        revision and disapproval under subparagraphs 
                        (B) and (C) of section 8401(b)(4).
                    ``(F) Reports.--For each fiscal year for which a 
                State educational agency participates in the Teacher 
                Salary Improvement pathway under this paragraph, such 
                agency shall prepare and submit an annual report to the 
                Secretary, which shall include--
                            ``(i) updated average teacher salary 
                        baselines for that fiscal year, disaggregated 
                        by the statewide average and the average in 
                        each local educational agency in the State;
                            ``(ii) a description of how the State and 
                        local educational agencies in the State 
                        increased the average teacher salary baselines 
                        in a manner consistent with the statewide 
                        annual goals for the corresponding fiscal year, 
                        as described in subparagraph (B)(iii);
                            ``(iii) a description that includes--
                                    ``(I) updated data on the number of 
                                teachers employed by local educational 
                                agencies in the State who earn less 
                                than the minimum salary for teachers, 
                                disaggregated by each period of service 
                                described in subparagraph (A)(i), 
                                across the State and employed by each 
                                local educational agency;
                                    ``(II) the identification of local 
                                educational agencies that have 
                                increased the number of teachers who 
                                earn less than the minimum salary for 
                                teachers; and
                                    ``(III) the actions the State 
                                educational agency will take in the 
                                next fiscal year to support local 
                                educational agencies described in 
                                subclause (II) in decreasing the number 
                                of teachers employed by such agencies 
                                who earn less than the minimum salary 
                                for teachers;
                            ``(iv) a description of actions taken by 
                        the State to increase the State's per-pupil 
                        expenditures or the aggregate expenditures of 
                        the State with respect to the provision of free 
                        public education in the State, in a manner 
                        that--
                                    ``(I) supports local educational 
                                agencies in increasing salaries or 
                                wages for teachers, paraprofessionals, 
                                specialized instructional support 
                                personnel, classified school employees, 
                                principals, other school leaders, 
                                school librarians, school bus drivers, 
                                and other staff across their careers, 
                                including through providing increased 
                                resources to local educational 
                                agencies; and
                                    ``(II) does not--
                                            ``(aa) increase average 
                                        class sizes or student to full-
                                        time equivalent teacher ratios 
                                        at the State, local educational 
                                        agency, or school level;
                                            ``(bb) reduce planning 
                                        time; or
                                            ``(cc) require teachers to 
                                        teach additional classes; and
                            ``(v) a description of how the State 
                        improved the equitable distribution of teachers 
                        in such fiscal year, as required under 
                        subsection (g)(1)(B).
            ``(5) Rules.--
                    ``(A) Rule of construction for collective 
                bargaining.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), 
                        nothing in this subsection shall be construed 
                        to alter or otherwise affect the rights, 
                        remedies, and procedures afforded to school or 
                        local educational agency employees under 
                        Federal, State, or local laws (including 
                        applicable regulations or court orders) or 
                        under the terms of collective bargaining 
                        agreements, memoranda of understanding, or 
                        other agreements between such employers and 
                        their employees.
                            ``(ii) Compliance.--Clause (i) shall not be 
                        construed to exempt a State, local educational 
                        agency, or school from complying with this 
                        subsection or from negotiating in compliance 
                        with State labor laws to comply with this 
                        subsection.
                    ``(B) Rule of construction for additional pay or 
                other salary augmenting systems.--Nothing in this 
                subsection shall be construed to prevent States or 
                local educational agencies from supplementing the 
                annual base salary of teachers or other staff employed 
                by such agencies--
                            ``(i) for additional skills, knowledge, 
                        duties, and responsibilities;
                            ``(ii) by salary systems that increase 
                        teachers' compensation through supplemental pay 
                        that is not part of an annual base salary; or
                            ``(iii) through the provision of bonuses, 
                        stipends, or awards.
                    ``(C) No waiver authority.--Section 8401 shall not 
                apply to this subsection.''; and
            (3) in subsection (h)(5)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' after 
                the semicolon;
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
                subparagraph (G); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
                following:
                    ``(D) data that demonstrates the State met the 
                requirements specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
                subsection (i)(2), or an assurance that the State 
                submitted the annual report described in subsection 
                (i)(4)(F);
                    ``(E) a description of the evidenced-based 
                strategies the State implemented to--
                            ``(i) reduce the number and percentage of 
                        teachers and paraprofessionals teaching without 
                        full certification and licensure, overall and 
                        in schools served by local educational agencies 
                        that serve high numbers or percentages of 
                        students who are from low-income backgrounds, 
                        students who are racial and ethnic minorities, 
                        children with disabilities, or English 
                        learners; and
                            ``(ii) meet the equitable distribution of 
                        teachers requirements specified in subsection 
                        (g)(1)(B);''.

SEC. 203. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF 
              IN-FIELD, EXPERIENCED, AND EFFECTIVE TEACHERS.

    (a) State Plans.--Section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(B)--
                            (i) by striking ``low-income and minority 
                        children'' and inserting ``students who are 
                        from low-income backgrounds, students who are 
                        racial and ethnic minorities, children with 
                        disabilities, or English learners''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``enrolled in schools 
                        assisted under this part'' and inserting 
                        ``enrolled in schools served by local 
                        educational agencies operating in the State''; 
                        and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(J), by striking ``, including 
                any requirements for certification obtained through 
                alternative routes to certification'' and inserting 
                ``and the State educational agency will implement 
                evidenced-based strategies to reduce the number and 
                percentage of teachers and paraprofessionals teaching 
                without full certification and licensure overall and in 
                schools served by local educational agencies that serve 
                high numbers or percentages of students who are from 
                low-income backgrounds, students who are racial and 
                ethnic minorities, children with disabilities, or 
                English learners''; and
            (2) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(C)(ix)--
                            (i) in subclause (I), by inserting 
                        ``(meaning with less than 2 years of service)'' 
                        after ``inexperienced'';
                            (ii) in subclause (II), by striking ``and'' 
                        after the semicolon;
                            (iii) in subclause (III), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(IV) teachers providing language 
                                instruction to English learners who 
                                meet the criteria described in 
                                subclauses (I) through (III), 
                                disaggregated by such criteria.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (5)(G), as redesignated by section 
                202(3)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``(meaning 
                        teachers with less than 2 years of service)'' 
                        after ``Inexperienced teachers''; and
                            (ii) by inserting after clause (iii) the 
                        following:
                            ``(iv) Teachers providing language 
                        instruction to English learners who meet the 
                        criteria described in clauses (i) through 
                        (iii), disaggregated by such criteria.''.
    (b) Local Educational Agency Plans.--Section 1112 of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6312) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``low-income students 
        and minority students'' and inserting ``students who are from 
        low-income backgrounds, students who are racial and ethnic 
        minorities, children with disabilities, or English learners'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(6), by striking ``, including any 
        requirements for certification obtained through alternative 
        routes to certification'' and inserting ``and that the local 
        educational agency will implement evidenced-based and research-
        based strategies to reduce the number and percentage of 
        teachers and paraprofessionals teaching without full 
        certification and licensure overall and in schools served by 
        local educational agencies that serve high numbers or 
        percentages of students who are from low-income backgrounds, 
        students who are racial and ethnic minorities, children with 
        disabilities, or English learners''; and
            (3) in subsection (e)(1)(A)(i)(I), by inserting ``the 
        full'' after ``has met''.
    (c) Technical Assistance To Support the Equitable Distribution of 
Teachers.--
            (1) In general.--Subpart 2 of part F of title VIII of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7901 
        et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 8549D. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE EQUITABLE 
              DISTRIBUTION OF TEACHERS.

    ``(a) In General.--To ensure that students who are racial and 
ethnic minorities, students from low-income backgrounds, students who 
are children with disabilities, and English learners are not served at 
disproportionate rates by out-of-field, inexperienced, and ineffective 
teachers, including ensuring that teachers have the adequate supports 
they need to be effective, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) provide technical assistance to--
                    ``(A) increase support to States and local 
                educational agencies for such purposes; and
                    ``(B) monitor the progress of States and local 
                educational agencies in meeting equitable distribution 
                of teachers requirements specified in subsection 
                (g)(1)(B) of section 1111 and monitoring reporting 
                required under subsection (h)(1)(C)(ix) of such 
                section; and
            ``(2) award grants under this section to support State 
        educational agencies and local educational agencies in 
        improving their data systems to effectively collect and analyze 
        information related to educator quality.
    ``(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of the Pay Teachers Act, and each subsequent second fiscal 
year, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee 
on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives a report 
regarding--
            ``(1) State and local educational agency efforts and 
        progress toward meeting the equitable distribution requirements 
        under subsection (g)(1)(B) of section 1111 and ensuring 
        compliance with reporting required under subsection 
        (h)(1)(C)(ix) of such section; and
            ``(2) actions taken by the Secretary to monitor compliance 
        in accordance with subsection (a)(2).
    ``(c) Mandatory Appropriations.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
available, there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary to provide technical 
assistance described in subsection (a) and carry out reporting 
requirements in subsection (b)--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2024, $3,000,000; and
            ``(2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal 
        year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage.
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Annual adjustment percentage.--The term `annual 
        adjustment percentage', with respect to appropriations made 
        under this section for a fiscal year, means a percentage equal 
        to the estimated percentage change in the Consumer Price Index, 
        as determined by the Secretary, for the most recent calendar 
        year ending prior to the beginning of such fiscal year.
            ``(2) Consumer price index.--The term `Consumer Price 
        Index' has the meaning given the term in section 478(f) of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965.''.
            (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents in section 2 
        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is 
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8549C 
        the following new item:

``Sec. 8549D. Technical assistance to support the equitable 
                            distribution of teachers.''.

SEC. 204. IMPROVING RESOURCE EQUITY AT SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED FOR 
              IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of the amendments made under 
subsection (b) to help ensure that sufficient funds are available to 
meet the requirements of this Act, including the amendments made by 
this Act.
    (b) Amendment.--Section 1111(d) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(iv), by striking ``resource 
        inequities, which may'' and inserting ``and proposes a plan to 
        mitigate resource inequities and to increase educational 
        opportunities, including the equitable access to qualified 
        teachers as described in paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(J) of 
        subsection (g), and section 1112(b)(2), for students enrolled 
        in such school, which shall'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' 
                        after the semicolon;
                            (ii) in clause (v), by striking the period 
                        at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vi) identifies and proposes a plan to 
                        mitigate resource inequities and to increase 
                        educational opportunities, including the 
                        equitable access to qualified teachers as 
                        described in paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(J) of 
                        subsection (g), and section 1112(b)(2), for 
                        students enrolled in such school, which shall 
                        include a review of local educational agency 
                        and school-level budgeting, to be addressed 
                        through implementation of such targeted support 
                        and improvement plan.''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``may'' and 
                inserting ``shall''; and
            (3) in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), by inserting ``, including the 
        equitable access to qualified teachers as described in 
        paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(J) of subsection (g) and section 
        1112(b)(2),'' after ``periodically review resource 
        allocation''.

SEC. 205. STRENGTHENING PER-PUPIL EXPENDITURE REPORTING.

    (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of the amendments made under this 
section to help ensure sufficient funds are available to meet the 
requirements of this Act, including the amendments made by this Act.
    (b) State Reports.--Section 1111(h)(5) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(5)) is amended by 
inserting after subparagraph (E), as redesignated by section 202(3)(B), 
the following:
                    ``(F) the per-pupil expenditures of Federal, State, 
                and local funds, including actual personnel 
                expenditures and actual nonpersonnel expenditures of 
                Federal, State, and local funds, disaggregated by 
                source of funds, for each local educational agency and 
                each school in the State for the preceding fiscal year, 
                in accordance with paragraph (1)(C)(x); and''.
    (c) Local Educational Agency Plans.--Section 1112(e)(1) of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6312(e)(1)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Additional resource equity information.--
                Schools served by a local educational agency that 
                receives assistance under this part shall provide to 
                each individual parent of a child who is a student in 
                such school information on resource equity, including--
                            ``(i) the per-pupil expenditures of 
                        Federal, State, and local funds, in both the 
                        school in which such parent's child is enrolled 
                        and in the local educational agency that serves 
                        such school, in accordance with section 
                        1111(h)(1)(C)(x); and
                            ``(ii) whether the school-level per-pupil 
                        expenditures of the school in which such 
                        parent's child is enrolled and the local 
                        educational agency that serves such school are 
                        below the average of the local educational 
                        agency and State, respectively.''.

SEC. 206. MAINTENANCE OF EQUITY.

    (a) Maintenance of Equity.--Section 1118 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6321) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(e) State Maintenance of Equity.--
            ``(1) Fiscal years with reductions to state aid.--A State 
        that reduced, for the preceding fiscal year, on a per-pupil 
        basis, State funds for a fiscal year shall satisfactorily 
        demonstrate to the Secretary that the State did not reduce 
        State funding (as calculated on a per-pupil basis) for--
                    ``(A) any high-need local educational agency in the 
                State by an amount that exceeds the overall per-pupil 
                reduction in State funds, if any, for all local 
                educational agencies in such State for such fiscal 
                year; or
                    ``(B) any highest poverty local educational agency 
                below the level of funding (as calculated on a per-
                pupil basis) provided to that local educational agency 
                for such previous fiscal year.
            ``(2) Fiscal years without reductions to state aid.--A 
        State educational agency receiving funds under this part for a 
        fiscal year for which the State did not reduce per-pupil 
        spending from State funds shall satisfactorily demonstrate to 
        the Secretary that, for the preceding fiscal year, the State 
        did not reduce State funding (as calculated on a per-pupil 
        basis) for any highest poverty local educational agency or any 
        high-need local educational agency by any amount.
            ``(3) De minimis reduction.--For purposes of paragraphs (1) 
        and (2), the Secretary may disregard a de minimis reduction in 
        State funding to a local educational agency as the Secretary 
        finds appropriate, including for those local educational 
        agencies--
                    ``(A) with small enrollments that exhibit annual 
                variation in per-pupil funding based primarily on their 
                size; or
                    ``(B) that exhibit variation in per-pupil funding 
                based on a State funding formula that accounts for the 
                special cost differentials for certain student 
                populations.
            ``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Highest poverty local educational agency.--
                The term `highest poverty local educational agency' 
                means a local educational agency that is among the 
                group of local educational agencies in the State that--
                            ``(i) in rank order, have the highest 
                        percentages of economically disadvantaged 
                        students in the State, on the basis of the most 
                        recent satisfactory data available from the 
                        Department of Commerce (or, for local 
                        educational agencies for which no such data are 
                        available, such other data as the Secretary 
                        determines are satisfactory); and
                            ``(ii) collectively serve not less than 20 
                        percent of the State's total enrollment of 
                        students served by all local educational 
                        agencies in the State.
                    ``(B) High-need local educational agency.--The term 
                `high-need local educational agency' means a local 
                educational agency that is among the group of local 
                educational agencies in the State that--
                            ``(i) in rank order, have the highest 
                        percentages of economically disadvantaged 
                        students in the State, on the basis of the most 
                        recent satisfactory data available from the 
                        Department of Commerce (or, for local 
                        educational agencies for which no such data are 
                        available, such other data as the Secretary of 
                        Education determines are satisfactory); and
                            ``(ii) collectively serve not less than 50 
                        percent of the State's total enrollment of 
                        students served by all local educational 
                        agencies in the State.
                    ``(C) Overall per-pupil reduction in state funds.--
                The term `overall per-pupil reduction in State funds' 
                means, with respect to a fiscal year--
                            ``(i) the amount of any reduction in the 
                        total amount of State funds provided to all 
                        local educational agencies in the State for 
                        that fiscal year compared to the total amount 
                        of State funds provided to all local 
                        educational agencies in the State for the 
                        preceding fiscal year; divided by
                            ``(ii) the aggregate number of children 
                        enrolled in all schools served by all local 
                        educational agencies in the State in the fiscal 
                        year for which the determination is being made.
                    ``(D) State.--The term `State' means each of the 50 
                States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth 
                of Puerto Rico.''.
    (b) No Waiver.--Section 8401(c) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7861(c)) is amended by inserting ``or 
maintenance of equity, including section 1118(e)'' before the semicolon 
at the end.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) 
shall take effect on October 1, 2023.

SEC. 207. STATE ADMINISTRATION.

    Section 1004 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6304) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``subsection (b)'' and inserting ``subsections 
                (b) and (c)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$400,000'' and 
                inserting ``$1,200,000''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Reservation for State Fiscal and Resource Adequacy and 
Equity.--In addition to any amounts reserved under subsection (a), each 
State receiving assistance under part A shall reserve not more than 0.5 
percent of funds received under such part to carry out 1 or more of the 
following activities:
            ``(1) Monitor implementation of section 1111(i).
            ``(2) Support State public school funding and resource 
        adequacy and equity commissions, or comprehensive reviews of 
        State public school finance systems, that--
                    ``(A) are carried out with significant and 
                meaningful family and community engagement, including 
                with--
                            ``(i) organizations representing the 
                        interests of students from low-income 
                        backgrounds, students who are racial and ethnic 
                        minorities, English learners, children with 
                        disabilities, students experiencing 
                        homelessness, children and youth in the foster 
                        care system, and other vulnerable and 
                        underserved children;
                            ``(ii) teachers, classified school 
                        employees, principals, and other school 
                        leaders;
                            ``(iii) local educational agencies;
                            ``(iv) parents and families;
                            ``(v) civil rights organizations in the 
                        State; and
                            ``(vi) school finance experts, which may 
                        include researchers from institutions of higher 
                        education;
                    ``(B) identify State and local funding and 
                educational opportunity gaps in fiscal and resource 
                adequacy and equity--
                            ``(i) among all local educational agencies 
                        in the State; and
                            ``(ii) for each local educational agency in 
                        the State, across all schools served by such 
                        agency; and
                    ``(C) develop action plans to address existing gaps 
                in fiscal and resource adequacy and equity identified 
                under subparagraph (B), with involvement from the 
                stakeholders described in clauses (i) through (vi) of 
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(3) Support the provision of technical assistance, which 
        may be provided by school finance experts, regarding the public 
        school finance systems, including developing and implementing 
        more adequate and equitable approaches to State education 
        funding and resource allocation.
            ``(4) Support and expand public transparency about public 
        school finance systems.''.

SEC. 208. NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY TO IMPROVE ESEA'S RESOURCE EQUITY 
              REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 240 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to--
            (1) conduct a study of how to improve Federal requirements 
        designed to ensure that public schools and local educational 
        agencies that serve a high number or percentage of underserved 
        groups of students, including students from low-income 
        backgrounds, students of color, English learners, children with 
        disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, and children 
        and youth in the foster care system, receive an adequate and 
        equitable share of State and local funds; and
            (2) make the report described in subsection (c) publicly 
        available.
    (b) Elements.--The study described in subsection (a) shall--
            (1) examine disparities in per-pupil expenditures (from 
        State and local funding) and in full-time equivalent staff 
        between public schools receiving support under part A of title 
        I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) and public schools not receiving support 
        under such part;
            (2) identify options for improving the fiscal requirements 
        for purposes of comparability as described in section 1118(c) 
        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 6321(c));
            (3) identify options for improving the supplement, not 
        supplant requirements under section 1118(b) of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6321(b)); and
            (4) include recommendations for effective or evidence-based 
        Federal and State policies designed to ensure that public 
        schools and local educational agencies that serve a high number 
        or percentage of underserved groups of students receive an 
        equitable share of funds, including recommendations relating to 
        the equitable and adequate distribution of funds at the State 
        and local levels.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the agreement 
entered into under subsection (a), the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
Representatives a report of the study required under such subsection.
    (d) Mandatory Appropriations.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
available, there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, $1,500,000 to the Secretary to carry out this 
section for fiscal year 2024.

            TITLE III--INVESTING IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION

SEC. 301. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE TEACHER QUALITY PARTNERSHIPS 
              AND GROW YOUR OWN PROGRAMS.

    (a) Teacher Quality Partnerships Program Appropriated.--In addition 
to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, out of any 
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary to 
carry out part A of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1022 et seq.)--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $550,000,000;
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal 
        year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage.
    (b) Priority.--In carrying out part A of title II of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022 et seq.) with funds provided 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize the use of funds 
to establish or expand high-quality teacher residencies or Grow Your 
Own programs as described in subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 of 
such Act (20 U.S.C. 1022(a)).
    (c) Grow Your Own Programs Authorized.--Section 202 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(6)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``subsection 
                (d) or (e)'' and inserting ``subsection (d), (e), or 
                (f)''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``subsection 
                (f) or (g)'' and inserting ``subsection (g) or (h)'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, or a 
                combination of such programs'' and inserting ``or a 
                Grow Your Own program under subsection (f), or a 
                combination of the programs described in this 
                paragraph''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsection 
                (f)'' and inserting ``subsection (g)'';
            (3) by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) as 
        subsections (g) through (l), respectively;
            (4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
    ``(f) Partnership Grants for the Establishment of Grow Your Own 
Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible partnership that receives a 
        grant to carry out a Grow Your Own program shall carry out an 
        effective Grow Your Own program to address shortages of 
        teachers in high-need subjects, fields, schools, and geographic 
        areas, or shortages of school leaders in high-need schools, and 
        to increase the diversity of qualified individuals entering the 
        teacher, principal, or other school leader workforce.
            ``(2) Requirements of a grow your own program.--In addition 
        to carrying out each of the activities described in paragraphs 
        (1) through (6) of subsection (d), an eligible partnership 
        carrying out a Grow Your Own program under this subsection 
        shall--
                    ``(A) provide opportunities for candidates to 
                practice and develop teaching or school leadership 
                skills that integrate knowledge from education 
                coursework through, at a minimum, a year-long, school-
                based, paid clinical experience in which candidates 
                teach or lead alongside an expert mentor teacher or 
                school leader, who is the teacher or school leader of 
                record, in the same local educational agency in which 
                the candidates expect to work;
                    ``(B) provide academic and nonacademic wrap-around 
                supports and services, including advising, tutoring, 
                test preparation, and financial assistance (which may 
                include scholarships or stipends), to candidates as 
                they--
                            ``(i) complete an associate degree program 
                        (if such program is in furtherance of a 
                        baccalaureate degree), baccalaureate degree 
                        program, or master's degree program, as 
                        applicable;
                            ``(ii) enter and complete teacher or school 
                        leadership preparation programs;
                            ``(iii) access and complete State licensure 
                        or certification examinations; and
                            ``(iv) engage in school-based clinical 
                        placements described in subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) include efforts to recruit individuals with 
                experience in high-need subjects or fields who are not 
                certified to teach or lead, with a specific focus on 
                recruiting individuals--
                            ``(i) who are other staff employed by local 
                        educational agencies, including 
                        paraprofessionals;
                            ``(ii) who are enrolled in dual or 
                        concurrent enrollment programs or early college 
                        high school programs and studying to become 
                        teachers;
                            ``(iii) from groups or populations that are 
                        underrepresented; and
                            ``(iv) who live in and come from the 
                        communities the schools serve; and
                    ``(D) require candidates to complete all State 
                requirements to become fully certified or licensed.''; 
                and
            (5) in subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (3), by 
        striking ``the activities described in subsection (d) or (e), 
        or both'' and inserting ``activities described in subsection 
        (d), (e), or (f)''.

SEC. 302. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE AUGUSTUS F. HAWKINS CENTERS 
              OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM.

    In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to carry out the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence 
program authorized under section 242 of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1033a)--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $150,000,000; and
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
        increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 303. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE 
              SERVICES AND RESULTS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES UNDER 
              PART D OF IDEA.

    In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the 
Secretary to carry out the program authorized under section 662 of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1462)--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $300,000,000; and
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this section for the preceding fiscal year, 
        increased by the annual adjustment percentage.

SEC. 304. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE 
              EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, 
there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to the Secretary to carry out the Supporting Effective 
Educator Development program authorized under section 2242 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672)--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $100,000,000; and
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal 
        year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage.
    (b) Priority.--In awarding grants under the Supporting Effective 
Educator Development program authorized under section 2242 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672) with 
funds made available under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give 
priority to eligible entities that--
            (1) are partnerships that include--
                    (A)(i) 1 or more institutions of higher education 
                described in section 2242(f)(1) of such Act; or
                    (ii) 1 or more national nonprofit entities 
                described in section 2242(f)(2) of such Act; and
                    (B)(i) 1 or more State educational agencies; or
                    (ii) 1 or more local educational agencies; and
            (2) in the application submitted under section 2242(c) of 
        such Act, describe how such funds will be used to develop 
        teacher leadership and professional expertise by providing 
        teachers, principals, or other school leaders with 
        opportunities to--
                    (A) earn additional in-demand certifications and 
                credentials, including National Board certification and 
                certifications or credentials in high-need subjects and 
                fields, such as special education, bilingual education, 
                science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and 
                career and technical education;
                    (B) serve as mentors;
                    (C) participate in distributed leadership or 
                school-based clinical models; or
                    (D) learn and teach other teachers how to conduct 
                student inquiries, including through action research 
                and the effective use of student data to strengthen 
                teaching and learning.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2242(f)(4) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672(f)(4)) is amended by 
striking ``entity'' and inserting ``entity, a State educational agency, 
a local educational agency, or a consortium of State educational 
agencies or local educational agencies''.

SEC. 305. MANDATORY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER 
              INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT CONTINUED TEACHER GROWTH AND 
              CONTRIBUTIONS TO STUDENT LEARNING.

    (a) Appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, 
there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to the Secretary to carry out the Teacher and School 
Leader Incentive program authorized under subpart 1 of part B of title 
II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
6631 et seq.)--
            (1) for fiscal year 2024, $200,000,000; and
            (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
        appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal 
        year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage.
    (b) Special Requirement.--For purposes of any grants awarded under 
subpart 1 of part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6631 et seq.) with funds made 
available under subsection (a), the Secretary shall deem the term 
``performance-based compensation system'' to only mean a system of 
compensation for teachers, principals, or other school leaders that 
recognizes skills and knowledge in the manner described in section 
2211(b)(4)(B)(ii) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6631(b)(4)(B)(ii)).
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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