CEC Endorses Bill to Increase Teacher Compensation

This week, a group of legislators led by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), John Larson (D-CT), and Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced the Respect, Advancement, and Increasing Support for Educators (RAISE) Act. This bill would increase teacher compensation by providing between $1,000 and $15,000 in refundable tax credits. With limited ability to impact teacher pay at the federal level, legislators hope this action will help address the average salary gap between teachers and other professions, as well as mitigate the teacher shortage in high-need subjects. Increased compensation can also combat the effects of an unstable educator workforce which disproportionately harms high-poverty schools. The bill would also double the educator tax deduction used to offset the cost of school supplies and expand eligibility to early childhood educators who typically earn a lower wage than other educators. The legislation has been endorsed by many stakeholder groups including the Council for Exceptional Children. 

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