S. 5248 — Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026

This section establishes the purpose of the Act as providing assistance to States to improve the knowledge, credentials, compensation, and professional development of early childhood educators working with children in early childhood education programs.

This section defines "early childhood education program" and "institution of higher education" for purposes of the Act by reference to the meanings given those terms in sections 812 and 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to award grants to States to implement and administer the activities described in section 6. Each grant lasts 5 years with annual funding subject to appropriations and compliance, and may be renewed if the State demonstrates compliance and satisfactory program outcomes.

This section requires each State seeking a grant to submit an application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services describing the State’s comprehensive early childhood professional development system. The description must detail collaboration with the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care, the State child care agency, the State Head Start collaboration director, the State educational agency, institutions of higher education, and other specified organizations; designate a State administering agency; and address oversight structures, educator standards and competencies, career and wage lattices, higher education coordination and articulation agreements, accessible courses for working and rural students, support for dual language learners and low-income or minority communities, culturally appropriate training, workforce data use, and financing.

This section requires States receiving grants under the Act to use the funds to provide scholarships covering tuition, fees, materials, transportation, substitutes, and release time for early childhood educators pursuing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field; support credentialing, licensure, or endorsement for those with unrelated degrees; increase compensation for educators making progress toward such a degree and provide parity upon completion and retention; and deliver ongoing professional development on child development and learning, teacher-child interaction, family engagement, and cultural competence for diverse children and families.

This section requires states receiving funds under the Act to maintain their fiscal effort for supported activities at a level equal to or greater than the preceding fiscal year.