WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) reintroduced the bipartisan Partnering Aspiring Teachers with High-Need Schools (PATHS) to Tutor Act, legislation that would ensure that students in high-need communities receive targeted academic support through intensive, structured tutoring opportunities. It would also strengthen the pipeline of future teachers by placing teacher candidates in tutoring roles. U.S. Representatives Susie Lee (D-NV-03) and David Valadao (R-CA-22) introduced companion legislation in the House.

"Across New Jersey and the nation, far too many students in underserved communities are falling behind academically because they lack access to meaningful support," said Senator Booker. "The PATHS to Tutor Act expands access to high-quality one-on-one and small-group tutoring while strengthening the teacher preparation pipeline by engaging nearly 600,000 aspiring teachers nationwide. This bipartisan legislation narrows the educational opportunity gap and provides both students and future educators with the tools needed for success.

"Sadly, far too many students in Texas do not receive the educational tools they need to succeed," said Senator Cornyn. "The PATHS to Tutor Act will expand access to small group tutoring in high-need areas while simultaneously reducing economic burdens on our teachers by allowing this tutoring to count toward national service and their TEACH grant service requirement. Texas students deserve every resource we can give them to achieve on a level playing field, and this legislation will give them just that."

"We need to make it easier, not harder, for qualified future teachers to start their professional careers and help more students get the targeted help they need," said Congresswoman Susie Lee. "The PATHS to Tutor Act is a win-win for our education system - strengthening opportunities for future teachers and supporting all students, regardless of their needs or what zip code they live in."

"A good education is the key to future opportunity, and it's important the next generation can accomplish their goals," said Congressman Valadao. "The PATHS to Tutor Act is a bipartisan, bicameral fix that tackles both challenges at once-making sure our students get the support they need, while giving future teachers real experience in the classroom to help them prepare for their career in education."

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), in 2024, the average score in mathematics at eighth grade was 8 points lower compared to 2019, with scores decreasing for lower-performing students at the 10th and 25th percentiles. The average reading score for the nation at grade 4 was 2 points lower compared to 2022, and 5 points lower compared to 2019. The average reading score for the nation at grade 8 was 2 points lower than 2022 and 5 points lower compared to 2019.

There are nearly 600,000 individuals enrolled in teacher-preparation programs who can help provide critical academic and social-emotional support to students now, while gaining experience to help prepare them to lead classrooms in the future. These aspiring teachers can expand in-person, virtual, and hybrid learning by providing essential academic support through high-impact tutoring, helping both to support learning acceleration and strengthen pipelines into teaching.

"The bipartisan PATHS to Tutor Act gives local leaders the tools they need to expand evidence-based tutoring that boosts student learning while preparing the next generation of teachers. It's a common-sense step that puts students first, supports teachers, and helps every community chart a path toward better outcomes," said Valerie Sakimura, Executive Director, Deans for Impact (DFI).

"The PATHS to Tutor Act recognizes what we see every day: when aspiring teachers are given real opportunities to serve students, they discover their purpose-and communities thrive. This legislation not only delivers the high-quality tutoring our young people deserve, it helps build a well-prepared educator workforce rooted in service and commitment. It's a powerful investment in our students, our schools, and the future we want to create together," said Kathlene Campbell, CEO, National Center for Teacher Residencies.

"The PATHS to Tutor Act is an evidence-based investment in both students and the teaching workforce. By connecting tutoring to educator preparation, it strengthens learning recovery and the teacher pipeline - helping every child receive the support they deserve. AACTE proudly supports this effort because it elevates the essential role of teacher candidates as both learners and leaders in ensuring every child has access to high-quality, individualized instruction," said Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., President and CEO, AACTE.

"The PATHS to Tutor Act bipartisan introduction today by Senator Booker and Senator Cornyn, Representative Lee, and Representative Valadao is a critical investment in our students' success and in America's communities. High-impact tutoring does more than just accelerate academic outcomes; it builds the meaningful connections with caring adults that students need to feel seen and valued. This relational approach is one of our most effective strategies for combating chronic absenteeism and ensuring every learner has the consistent support system necessary to flourish both academically and socially," said Erin Mote, CEO, InnovateEDu.

Specifically, the PATHS to Tutor Act would:

1. Expand access to high-quality tutoring through a $500 million competitive grant program disbursed to local partnerships of educator-preparation programs, K-12 schools, and community organizations.
2. Reduce the economic burden on aspiring teachers by allowing successful completion of a tutoring placement to qualify for national service educational awards granted by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

The PATHS to Tutor Act is endorsed by: Deans for Impact (DFI), National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE), Teach Plus, National Center for Grow Your Own (NCGYO), TNTP, Communities in Schools, Education Trust, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA), National Rural Education Association (NREA), National Association of Schools Boards of Education (NASBE), National Rural Education Advocacy Consortium (NREAC), New Leaders, Teach for America, Teaching Matters, Committee for Children, CASEL, National Black Child Development Institute, Consortium on Reaching Excellence in Education, NIET, InnovateEDU, Saga, Alliance for Catholic Education, New Jersey Tutoring Corps, Virginia Learns, EduTutorVA, Clark County School District, and the North Carolina Education Corps.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.