Washington (April 3, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) today announced the reintroduction of the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights, a resolution calling for dignified wages, benefits, and working conditions for paraeducators, classroom assistants, bus drivers, custodial workers, and other essential school staff who far too often work for low wages, few benefits, and without job security. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
“Paraprofessionals and education support staff are the backbone of our education system. They deserve higher pay, better benefits, and improved working conditions. But instead of working to make that happen, we are forced to fight the Trump administration’s slashing of public education.” said Senator Markey. “Setting our sights higher for paraprofessionals and education workers is part of the fight, and the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights will move us forward in guaranteeing these workers are treated with the dignity, respect, and recognition they have long deserved.”
“Paraprofessionals and support staff are an invaluable part of student learning. And yet, they struggle to make ends meet,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “The Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Resolution highlights the urgent need to improve wages, increase access to benefits, and formally recognize the efforts of these dedicated workers. This legislation strives to attract and help retain support staff which are critical in our schools.”
The Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights resolution calls for paraprofessionals and education support staff to have:
The resolution is endorsed by National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Autism Society of America, Citizens for Public Schools, Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc., Education Leaders of Color, First Focus on Children, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, National Rural Education Association (NREA), Network for Public Education, and the Arc of the United States.
“We applaud Senator Markey for standing with the paraprofessionals and education support professionals who are the heart of our classrooms, and yet are struggling to make ends meet and often working two to three jobs to support themselves. ESPs play critically important roles in our public schools in Massachusetts and nationwide, providing instruction and care to students with disabilities, assisting in early education classes, driving busses, preparing meals and so much more, and they need and deserve to be able to care for themselves and their families. Beyond being good for the ESPs themselves, schools need to be able to recruit and retain qualified and support staff. This is why, in Massachusetts and beyond, ESPs need a living wage, affordable health insurance and paid family and medical leave once and for all,” said Max Page, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and Deb McCarthy, Vice President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
“Paraprofessionals and education support staff are on the frontlines of helping students learn, ensuring their safety, and keeping our schools and colleges running. But too often, their salaries and benefits are far lower than other educators’, forcing them to work second and third jobs that make it harder for them to forge sustainable careers. The Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights makes sure those who cook and clean in schools, drive our students, and work in front offices and classrooms are treated with dignity and respect, with fairer pay, better benefits, improved workplace safety and access to training. I am grateful for the leadership of Sen. Edward Markey and Rep. Jahana Hayes and thank them for taking action on this front,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
“Education support professionals play a critical role in strengthening our schools and communities, dedicating themselves to ensuring students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn every day, while also helping to create positive, supportive learning environments. Unfortunately, they often don't receive the compensation, benefits, or recognition they truly deserve. Their contributions are critical to the success of our students, especially now, as the Trump Administration targets public education,” said Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association. “Passing the Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights would show that Congress recognizes and values the essential contributions these dedicated workers make both inside and outside the classroom. We want to thank Senator Markey and Representative Hayes for their leadership in introducing this important legislation and urge Congress to act quickly in passing it. This will send a clear message to our Education Support Professionals that, as a nation, we respect and appreciate all they do for our students.”
“School support staff are the people who greet students at the start of each day, serve meals, support kids with disabilities, and keep classrooms clean and safe. They’ve been underpaid, overworked, and overlooked for too long. Now, Trump and his billionaire allies are trying to dismantle the Department of Education and weaken the very schools these workers hold together. Passing this resolution is an important way to show school support staff the respect they’ve earned—with real pay, real protections, and the dignity every worker deserves,” said Heather Conroy, Executive Vice President of the Service Employees International Union.
“Paraprofessionals and school staff play an invaluable role in our classrooms and are at the heart of our public school -- helping students learn, grow, and meet their basic needs,” said American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “Outside of the classroom, they’re important members of the community, many have kids and grandkids in the schools and live in the communities they serve. For far too long, paraprofessionals have been forced to work multiple jobs, or rely on public assistance, just to make ends meet. One job should be enough. It’s time our paraprofessionals receive the fair wages, benefits, and respect that reflects the important work they do every day,” said Jessica Tang, President of American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts.
Senator Markey is fighting back against the Trump administration’s attacks on education and standing up for students, educators, and their families. On March 20, Senator Markey slammed Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education. On March 11, Senator Markey delivered remarks on the Senate Floor to spotlight Trump’s plan to gut the Department. On February 27, Senator Markey introduced the No Cuts to Public Schools Act, which would prevent any cuts to federal education formula funding during the Trump administration. On February 10, Senator Markey held a press conference in Boston with Massachusetts educators and teachers’ unions on Trump’s vow to dismantle the Department, and the impact on Massachusetts students, educators, and communities.
On February 6, 2025, Senator Markey, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, along with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, released a joint statement after President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education.
In January 2024, Senator Markey introduced the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, legislation that would establish a grant program to help schools recruit, train, and retain paraeducators by funding pipeline and credentialing programs, high-quality professional development, and higher wages. In September 2023, Senator Markey introduced the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act, legislation that would invest $1.6 trillion over the next decade in public and Bureau of Indian Education schools to upgrade every public school building in the country; reduce hazardous pollution; give schools the resources to hire hundreds of thousands of educators, paraprofessionals, and counselors; invest in schools serving low-income students; and fully fund education for students with disabilities. Senator Markey first introduced the Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights in November 2023.
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