Senator Markey Introduces PUPIL Act to Highlight Needs and Contributions of Paraprofessionals in Education

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Washington (June 23, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, today introduced the Providing Understanding of Paraprofessionals in Learning (PUPIL) Act, legislation to commission a study on paraprofessionals to provide educators, lawmakers, and advocates with the data necessary to understand these critical workers. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

"Families rely on paraprofessionals to support students in the classroom, transport them to school, and provide them with healthy meals. They are essential parts of the school community. Yet, paraprofessionals remain an under-studied workforce, with limited opportunities for career growth," said Senator Markey. "My PUPIL Act will bring long overdue attention to the needs of paraprofessionals and equip paraprofessionals, school leaders, advocates, and legislators to craft policies that support these workers."

"Paraprofessionals and support staff are the backbone of our public schools, and it is unconscionable that they lack the resources they need to do their jobs," said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. "We are grateful that Sen. Ed Markey has made their lives a priority with the PUPIL Act, which will study the working conditions of school support staff and finally give us the real data we need to improve conditions for millions of workers across the country."

Senator Markey's legislation directs the Department of Education to commission a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) study that would:

• Examine the demographics, roles, compensation, retention, and existing career pathways for paraprofessionals serving students in prekindergarten through 12^th grade

• Establish classifications for different paraprofessionals positions and compile data on starting and mean salaries for each classification

• Analyze paraprofessionals' wages against cost of living in their area

• Examine the use of contracted or privatized education support staff and the implications of these employment models on student outcomes

• Examine paraprofessional credentialing requirements, including compliance with existing federal standards under ESEA and IDEA

The PUPIL Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, SEIU, Council for Exceptional Children, National Rural Education Association, Council of Administrators of Special Education, The Center for Law and Social Policy, The Arc of Massachusetts, and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

On July 17, 2025, Senator Markey reintroduced the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, legislation that would establish higher wages, career pipelines, and professional development opportunities for school paraeducators. In April 2025, Senator Markey and Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights.

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