Mandatory funding to support local educational agencies that maintain or increase teacher salaries

Section 2003 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6603) is amended— (1) in the section heading, by striking Authorization of appropriations and inserting Funding; and (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: (a) Appropriations for part A (1) In general There are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated, out of any funds not otherwise appropriated— (A) for fiscal year 2026, $5,200,000,000 to carry out part A; and (B) for fiscal year 2027 and each succeeding fiscal year, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the preceding year, increased by a percentage equal to the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor for the most recent calendar year. (2) Reservation for teacher salary incentive grants (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Eligible local educational agency The term eligible local educational agency means a local educational agency that, for the preceding school year, maintained or increased the salary schedule for all teachers employed by the local educational agency. (ii) Teacher salary incentive reservation The term teacher salary incentive reservation means, for each fiscal year, the amount that is 20 percent of the amount by which the funds appropriated under paragraph (1) for the fiscal year exceeds $2,200,000,000. (B) In general For each fiscal year for which the total amount appropriated under paragraph (1) is greater than $2,200,000,000, the Secretary shall, after making any reservations under section 2101(a), reserve and use the teacher salary incentive reservation to award grants, based on allotments under subparagraph (C), to eligible local educational agencies for purposes described in subparagraph (E). (C) Allotments An allotment under this subparagraph for a fiscal year to an eligible local educational agency shall bear the same relationship to the teacher salary incentive reservation as the number of children counted under section 1124(c) who are served by the local educational agency bears to the total number of such children counted under such section served by all eligible local educational agencies that submitted an application under subparagraph (D). (D) Application An eligible local educational agency desiring an allotment under this paragraph shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (E) Use of funds A local educational agency receiving an allotment under subparagraph (C) may use the allotment to carry out one or more of the following: (i) Comprehensive teacher or school leader preparation programs described subsection (d), (e), or (f) of section 202 of the Higher Education Act of 1965. (ii) Support for teachers to earn certifications or credentials in high-need fields or advanced credentials, such as certification or credentialing by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. (iii) Teacher leadership programs. (iv) Induction or mentoring programs for new teachers, principals, or other school leaders. (v) High-quality research-based professional development. (vi) Other activities approved by the Secretary that— (I) promote and strengthen the teaching profession; (II) attract, retain, and diversify the educator workforce; or (III) advance the skills and efficacy of the educator workforce. (F) Supplement, not supplant A local educational agency receiving an allotment under subparagraph (C) shall use the allotment to supplement, and not supplant, any State funds or efforts to raise teacher pay..