Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act
Latest action (30 Apr 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 8636, the Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act, would require the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to expand its existing civil rights data collection to include detailed information about the teacher and principal workforce. Specifically, local educational agencies and public elementary and secondary schools would need to report the number of full-time teachers and principals employed, their years of experience (broken into specific ranges), and whether teachers meet state licensing requirements, including in math, science, English as a second language, and special education. This data would also be broken down by race, ethnicity, and sex, and the Department would publish a public report and underlying dataset on its website, while protecting individual privacy.
The bill primarily affects the Department of Education, state and local educational agencies, and public schools, which would face new data-reporting obligations. Individual teachers and principals are affected indirectly, as data about their experience and credentials would be collected and reported in aggregate, though the bill requires that individually identifiable information remain confidential. The stated goal is to give policymakers, researchers, and the public better information about the composition and experience levels of the educator workforce, including any disparities by race, ethnicity, or sex.
The bill was introduced on April 30, 2026, by Rep. Eric Sorensen and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet been voted on. Before becoming law, it would need to be approved by the committee, pass the full House, pass the Senate, and be signed by the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on April 30, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8636 do?
- H.R. 8636, the Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act, would require the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to expand its existing civil rights data collection to include detailed information about the teacher and principal workforce. Specifically, local educational agencies and public elementary and secondary schools would need to report the number of full-time teachers and principals employed, their years of experience (broken into specific ranges), and whether teachers meet state licensing requirements, including in math, science, English as a second language, and special education. This data would also be broken down by race, ethnicity, and sex, and the Department would publish a public report and underlying dataset on its website, while protecting individual privacy. The bill primarily affects the Department of Education, state and local educational agencies, and public schools, which would face new data-reporting obligations. Individual teachers and principals are affected indirectly, as data about their experience and credentials would be collected and reported in aggregate, though the bill requires that individually identifiable information remain confidential. The stated goal is to give policymakers, researchers, and the public better information about the composition and experience levels of the educator workforce, including any disparities by race, ethnicity, or sex. The bill was introduced on April 30, 2026, by Rep. Eric Sorensen and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet been voted on. Before becoming law, it would need to be approved by the committee, pass the full House, pass the Senate, and be signed by the President.
- Has H.R. 8636 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Apr 2026, H.R. 8636 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8636?
- H.R. 8636 was sponsored by Rep. Eric Sorensen [D-IL17] (Democrat-IL), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8636?
- Introduced (30 Apr 2026).
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