The "American Teacher Act" aims to address teacher shortages and improve teacher compensation by providing grants to states to increase teacher salaries, with a goal of a $60,000 minimum annual salary, and launching a national campaign to promote the value of the teaching profession.
Frederica Wilson
Representative
FL-24
The American Teacher Act aims to address teacher shortages and improve teacher compensation by establishing grants for states to increase teacher salaries, with the goal of ensuring a minimum annual salary of $60,000 for full-time teachers at qualifying schools, adjusted for inflation. The Act also allows for a national campaign to raise awareness of the value of the teaching profession and clarifies that the Act does not alter existing employee rights or agreements. Finally, the Act defines key terms and authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to implement the grants and awareness campaign.
American Teacher Act Proposes $60,000 Minimum Teacher Salary via Federal Grants Starting 2026
Let's break down the proposed American Teacher Act. At its core, this bill aims to tackle the nationwide teacher shortage by boosting pay. It sets up a system for the federal government to give 4-year grants to states, with the specific goal of getting minimum salaries for full-time public school teachers up to at least $60,000 per year, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. That $60k figure would also be adjusted for inflation annually using the Consumer Price Index.
How the Money Would Flow
States interested in the cash would need to apply to the Secretary of Education. Their application has to include a plan showing how they'll keep paying that minimum salary even after the federal grant money runs out. They also need to promise they'll pass state laws if necessary to make a statewide salary schedule happen.
Once a state gets a grant, at least 85% of the funds must be passed down as subgrants to local school districts. The bill specifically tells states to prioritize districts serving more schools that receive Title I funds (meaning schools with higher numbers of low-income students) or districts in designated rural areas. A key rule here is 'supplement, not supplant': this federal money must be in addition to existing state and local funding for teacher salaries, not replace it. States and districts can't cut teacher pay or loan forgiveness programs just because they get this grant money.
Keeping Up with Costs and Promoting the Profession
The bill includes a separate grant program (Section 4) specifically to help states adjust teacher salaries for cost-of-living increases if inflation makes it tough to meet the minimums. This adjustment would be tied to the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
Beyond salaries, the Act wants to boost the image of teaching. Up to 4% of the funding can be used for a national campaign. The goals? Highlight how valuable teachers are, encourage more students (especially from diverse backgrounds) to enter the profession.
The Details Matter
Who counts as a 'teacher' under this act? It's defined as a 'teacher of record' providing direct classroom instruction in a public elementary or secondary school ('qualifying school'), meeting state certification requirements, and having the skills to improve student learning. The bill also makes clear (Section 6) that it doesn't override any existing rights teachers have under other laws or collective bargaining agreements.
Essentially, this legislation is a direct attempt to address the 'teacher wage penalty' mentioned in its findings, where teacher pay hasn't kept pace with other professions. By setting a salary floor and providing federal funds to reach it, the Act hopes to make teaching a more financially sustainable career, potentially easing shortages and benefiting schools, particularly those in underserved areas. The requirement for states to plan for sustainability after the grant period is a nod towards making this a long-term fix, not just a temporary boost.