Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026

The Addressing Teacher Shortages Act would create a competitive federal grant program that school districts can apply to for funding to address teacher shortages. The bill would establish an Addressing Teacher Shortages Program through the U.S. Department of Education, awarding grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities such as school districts and education partners. Grant funding could be used for activities like establishing or expanding teacher residency and mentorship programs, developing "Grow Your Own" programs that recruit local graduates and community members to teach in their schools, and other teacher recruitment and retention initiatives. The bill would provide five years of funding and give school districts broad flexibility in determining how to spend grant money to hire and retain qualified teachers in their communities. The bill also provides staffing resources at the Department of Education to help under-resourced communities apply for and access these grants. Currently in committee, the bill addresses documented shortages in key subject areas including mathematics, special education, science, and foreign languages, with particular challenges in rural and under-resourced schools.