Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced
Summary
Build a statewide professional development system for early childhood educators. This bill would fund 5-year grants to states to create comprehensive systems that boost training, credentials, and pay for teachers who work with young children.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Scholarships, pay, and training help
If enacted, States receiving grants would be able to use funds to pay scholarships and reduce educators' out-of-pocket costs. Scholarships could cover tuition, fees, materials, transportation, paid substitutes, and release time for a bachelor's in early childhood education or a related field. States could raise pay for educators while they are enrolled and making progress toward a degree, and provide pay parity after degree completion and retention. Grants could also fund ongoing training and help educators with degrees in other fields get credentials, licensure, or endorsements, including training for diverse learners and dual language students.
Five-year state grants for educators
This bill would let HHS award 5-year grants to States to build a statewide early childhood educator professional development system. Grants would be paid each year only if Congress provides money. States would have to use grant funds to supplement, not replace, other funds and keep at least the prior year's spending level on the supported activities. States could apply to renew grants after 5 years if they follow the rules and show satisfactory outcomes. The bill would use Higher Education Act definitions to decide which programs and colleges qualify for the grants.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 8/6/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 8/6/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 8/6/2026
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/6/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov