Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026

A new federal grant program would help school districts recruit and keep teachers in communities that need them most — especially rural areas, STEM and special education classrooms, and schools lacking racial diversity among staff. Districts could use the money to fund teaching residency programs, mentor teachers, "Grow Your Own" pipelines that train local community members to become teachers, and housing or tuition assistance for student teachers who commit to staying. At least 25 percent of funding is reserved for rural districts, 25 percent for high-need subjects, and 25 percent for diversifying the workforce, with 5 percent set aside for Bureau of Indian Education schools. The bill requires districts to match federal dollars (though low-income districts can get that waived) and to track measurable outcomes like retention rates and hiring numbers over 5 years. Funding would be authorized for fiscal years 2027 through 2032, though Congress would still need to appropriate the actual dollars each year.