Teacher Recruitment & Retention Incentive Act of 2027

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Teacher Recruitment & Retention Incentive Act of 2027.”

SECTION 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

1. A stable, effective, and well-supported teacher workforce is essential to student success, community stability, and long-term economic growth.

2. Public school districts across the United States continue to experience elevated teacher vacancy and turnover rates, particularly in high-need schools and hard-to-staff subject areas, including mathematics, science, special education, and bilingual education.

3. In many communities, compensation, housing costs, and limited professional support contribute significantly to teacher attrition.

4. Federal law currently supports teacher quality and development through programs including Title II, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and teacher preparation and residency programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965; however, gaps remain in targeted incentives tied to retention in high-need schools.

5. Strengthening teacher recruitment and retention through coordinated, accountable, and clearly defined incentives will improve continuity of instruction, reduce long-term staffing costs, and promote educational equity.

6. Programs that combine financial incentives, housing stability, professional development, and service-based commitments have demonstrated promise in supporting educator retention when implemented with appropriate oversight and accountability.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

1. Secretary.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Education.

2. Eligible Entity.—The term “eligible entity” means—
   (A) a State educational agency; or
   (B) a local educational agency, including a consortium of such agencies.

3. Effective Teacher.—The term “effective teacher” means a teacher who demonstrates a positive impact on student learning and school outcomes, as measured by multiple indicators, which shall include at least two of the following:
   (A) classroom observations or evaluations aligned with State or local professional teaching standards;
   (B) measures of student academic growth, where such measures are valid, reliable, and permitted under applicable law;
   (C) demonstrated contributions to school or district needs, including mentoring, instructional leadership, or service in hard-to-staff subject areas; and
   (D) attendance, retention, or professional responsibility indicators.

4. High-Need School.—The term “high-need school” means a public elementary or secondary school that meets at least two of the following criteria:
   (A) serves a substantial share of students from low-income families, as determined by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch;
   (B) experiences elevated teacher vacancy or turnover rates relative to State averages; or
   (C) serves a high proportion of students requiring specialized instruction, including English learners or students with disabilities.

5. Qualifying School District.—The term “qualifying school district” means a local educational agency that includes one or more high-need schools.

SECTION 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.

(a) In General.—The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to support eligible entities in implementing comprehensive teacher recruitment and retention strategies in qualifying school districts.

(b) Supplement Not Supplant.—Funds made available under this Act shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, or local funds expended for activities described in this Act.

SECTION 5. USES OF FUNDS.

An eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall use such funds for one or more of the following purposes:

1. Salary Supplements.—Providing annual salary supplements for eligible teachers serving in high-need schools, structured in clearly defined tiers or bands, based on level of need and service commitment, and subject to reasonable caps established by the Secretary.

2. Housing Assistance.—Providing housing-related assistance, including down payment assistance or rental support, for teachers serving in high-need schools, within a reasonable commuting distance as defined by the eligible entity and approved by the Secretary.

3. Loan Repayment and Tuition Assistance.—Providing student loan repayment assistance or tuition reimbursement for educators who commit to continued service in qualifying school districts.

4. Professional Development and Career Pathways.—Supporting mentorship, residency programs, leadership development, and advanced certification opportunities aligned with district needs.

5. Recruitment Incentives.—Supporting targeted recruitment efforts, including signing incentives, relocation assistance, and partnerships with educator preparation programs.

6. Fraud Prevention and Program Integrity.—Implementing administrative systems, including the use of data analytics or artificial intelligence tools, for the purpose of detecting waste, fraud, or abuse, provided that—
   (A) such tools are used in compliance with applicable Federal civil rights and privacy laws; and
   (B) any adverse determination is subject to human review.

SECTION 6. APPLICATIONS.

(a) In General.—To be eligible for a grant under this Act, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(b) Required Elements.—Each application shall include—

1. a needs assessment identifying teacher shortages, turnover patterns, and high-need schools within the jurisdiction;

2. a description of the specific strategies and uses of funds proposed under Section 5;

3. measurable performance goals related to teacher recruitment, retention, and student outcomes, which may include teacher retention rates, reductions in vacancy rates, student growth indicators, or improvements in attendance or graduation metrics;

4. a plan for evaluating program effectiveness and reporting outcomes;

5. a description of how activities funded under this Act will coordinate with, and not duplicate, activities supported under other Federal teacher support programs, including programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Higher Education Act of 1965; and

6. assurances that all participating educators are individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

SECTION 7. ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING.

(a) Annual Reports.—Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall submit an annual report to the Secretary describing—

1. expenditures of grant funds;

2. progress toward stated performance goals;

3. teacher retention and recruitment outcomes; and

4. any corrective actions taken to address identified deficiencies.

(b) Administrative Cost Limitation.—Not more than 5 percent of grant funds may be used for administrative expenses, including indirect costs.

SECTION 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2032.

SECTION 9. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit State or local authority over teacher evaluation systems, collective bargaining agreements, or curriculum decisions, except to the extent expressly provided herein.

Legislative Proposal Disclaimer


The policies and legislative proposals presented on this website reflect the goals, priorities, and policy positions of Oxford C.F. Nordberg as a candidate for public office.
All proposals are conceptual working drafts intended to communicate policy direction and legislative intent. They are subject to revision through the legislative process, including legal review, constitutional constraints, public input, committee consideration, amendment, and approval by the appropriate legislative bodies.
Nothing on this website should be interpreted as enacted law, legal advice, or a guarantee of legislative outcome.
Any references to budgets, timelines, performance targets, enforcement mechanisms, or anticipated outcomes are illustrative only and are provided to explain policy objectives—not to represent final statutory language or binding commitments.

Legislative Proposal Disclaimer


The policies and legislative proposals presented on this website reflect the goals, priorities, and policy positions of Oxford C.F. Nordberg as a candidate for public office.
All proposals are conceptual working drafts intended to communicate policy direction and legislative intent. They are subject to revision through the legislative process, including legal review, constitutional constraints, public input, committee consideration, amendment, and approval by the appropriate legislative bodies.
Nothing on this website should be interpreted as enacted law, legal advice, or a guarantee of legislative outcome.
Any references to budgets, timelines, performance targets, enforcement mechanisms, or anticipated outcomes are illustrative only and are provided to explain policy objectives—not to represent final statutory language or binding commitments.