WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in recognition of Public Schools Week, an annual celebration of the strength and potential of public education, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced a bicameral bill to improve financial compensation for the public servants educating the next generation. The Respect, Advancement, and Increasing Support for Educators (RAISE) Act would create a tax credit of up to $15,000 for public school teachers and close the wage gap facing the profession. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) will reintroduce the companion bill in the Senate later this year.
Teachers play a critical role in shaping young lives throughout the country. They are instrumental in fostering character development and personal growth in students, ultimately influencing their future contributions to the workforce. Despite serving in this essential and multifaceted role, public school teachers earn approximately 27 percent less than similar college graduates earn working in other careers.
Nationwide, school districts are facing increased staffing shortages. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, for the 2024-2025 school year, most public school districts reported a lack of qualified candidates and too few candidates to fill vacant teaching positions. In Connecticut, the State reported having more than 430 special education vacancies and 790 openings for other teachers before the start of the current school year. Investing in competitive and fair teacher salaries can boost recruitment and retention efforts.
“Like millions of teachers across the country, I poured my heart into the success of my students but could not always rely on my paycheck to make ends meet for my family and had to work multiple jobs. We cannot have teachers leave the profession because they cannot afford to enter or stay in the classroom,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “The RAISE Act offers opportunities for greater financial stability for educators. Investing in our educator workforce makes our schools and communities stronger.”
“Our educators are under attack like never before. Instead of tearing them down, we should be building them up. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead legislation to raise teacher pay and bring more passionate educators into our classrooms. As a former teacher, I know the financial strain they face. I’ll keep fighting to ensure they’re paid what they deserve for the vital role they play in shaping our communities,” said Congressman Takano.
“As a former teacher, I know how challenging it is for our educators to make ends meet while empowering the next generation of leaders in the classroom,” said Congressman Larson. “I am proud to join my colleagues to introduce the RAISE Act to give our teachers a well-deserved raise and make it easier to retain and recruit educators. It is long overdue that we address the teacher pay gap, and this bill will help ensure our teachers have the resources they need to succeed and support their students.”
“Teachers are the backbone of our education system, and tasked every day with the responsibility to help shape and develop the minds of our nation’s children,” said Senator Booker. “It’s egregious that despite the invaluable role they play in our society, teachers are still underpaid and undervalued. This legislation aims to provide up to $15,000 in tax credits for public school teachers so we can close the wage gap and finally give our educators a much needed raise.”
Specifically, the RAISE Act would:
- Create Refundable Tax Credits for Educators:
- A sliding scale tax credit of up to $15,000 for public school teachers, with the highest credits for educators in high-poverty schools.
- Up to $15,000 for early childhood educators with a bachelor’s degree and up to $10,000 for those with an associate degree or CDA credential.
- $1,000 refundable tax credit for all eligible early childhood and K–12 educators.
- Increase the educator tax deduction from $250 to $500 to offset teacher’s purchases of school supplies.
- Increase, by nearly $3 billion, annual mandatory funding for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act’s Title II, which supports educator recruitment, retention, professional development, and class size reduction.
- Create and fund a federal grant program to incentivize local educational agencies to increase teacher salaries and strengthen, retain, and diversify the educator workforce.
The RAISE Act is cosponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Hank Johnson (GA-04), George Latimer (NY-16), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Joe Morelle (NY-25), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashia Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), and George Whitesides (CA-27).
Endorsing Organizations: National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), EdTrust, Prepared To Teach, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), The Teacher Salary Project, Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), National Writing Project, First Five Years Fund, Education Law Center (ELC), Association for Career and Technical Education, Center for Black Educator Development, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), AASA, The School Superintendents Association, National Center for Learning Disabilities, Early Edge California, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), National Association for Music Education, First Focus Campaign for Children, Deans for Impact (DFI), National Parents Union, All4Ed, NAACP, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Joint National Committee for Languages, Center for American Progress, American Association of School Personnel Administrators, Institute for Educational Leadership, TEACH, Council of Administrators of Special Education