U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) joined Congressional colleagues on May 3 in introducing legislation to boost teacher compensation and diversify the teaching workforce.

The Respect, Advancement and Increasing Support for Educators Act, or RAISE Act, will provide educators with a minimum of $1,000 in refundable tax credits annually, with some teachers earning as much as $15,000.

“There’s no greater investment we can make in supporting children and families than supporting the teachers who dedicate their lives to caring for and supporting students,” Schiff said. “Teachers are the bedrock of our public education system, and they deserve fair compensation for the irreplaceable role they play in shaping America’s future. The RAISE Act would deliver long-overdue salary increases to early childhood, elementary and secondary educators, helping ease the financial constraints that block quality teachers from entering and remaining in the profession. Educators hold the future of the nation in their hands, and it’s past time we honored their service with the fair wages they deserve.”

Public elementary and secondary teachers earn approximately 20% less than workers in professions requiring similar education, the legislators said. Early childhood education teachers earn a national median wage of $11.65 per hour, below the national living wage threshold. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly every state in the nation reported shortages of teachers in high-need subjects including science, math, special education and English language development. Low income students and students of color are the least likely to have access to a stable educator.

Through refundable tax credits, the RAISE Act will help boost the compensation of early childhood, elementary and secondary school teachers. Depending on the level of poverty in the schools educators serve, public school teachers would be eligible for a tax credit up to $15,000. The bill would also double the educator tax deduction, which teachers can use to offset the cost of school supplies, and expand eligibility to early childhood educators.

For information, visit schiff.house.gov.