Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026

S. 4025 would create a competitive federal grant program through which school districts could apply for up to five years of funding to address teacher shortages. The bill would allow schools to use grant money for various initiatives, including teacher residency and mentorship programs, "Grow Your Own" programs that recruit community members to teach locally, and "2+2" partnerships between community colleges and universities. The legislation would prioritize funding for rural areas, high-need subject areas like STEM and special education, and efforts to diversify the teaching workforce.

The bill would also provide staffing support at the U.S. Department of Education to help under-resourced communities apply for and access grants. School districts would have flexibility in determining how to spend grant funds to hire and retain qualified teachers in their communities. Grant recipients would be required to report on outcomes such as teacher retention rates and program effectiveness, though matching fund requirements could be waived based on economic conditions.