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Two-thirds of states don鈥檛 provide paid parental leave for teachers beyond their accumulated sick days, according to a new study by the National Council on Teacher Quality.

The revealed that of the 16 states that require districts to offer paid parental leave, only two 鈥� Arkansas and Delaware 鈥� give teachers their full wages up to 12 weeks. Six other states offer partial pay for up to three months.

Access to paid leave decreases postpartum depression and boosts the likelihood that employees will return to their jobs after having a child, according to the study. Multiple national medical organizations a minimum of 12 weeks of paid time off for new parents.

The number of large school districts offering paid parental leave has in the last three years, from 27 to 64. About 40 are located in states that don鈥檛 require the benefit. While this shows district-level progress, the lack of state mandates allows schools to refuse to take action, said Heather Peske, NCTQ president.

鈥淲hat we know is that leaving it up to districts leaves too much to chance, and it leaves too many teachers high and dry,鈥� she said. 

A 2024 by RAND Corp. found that 32% of teachers have access to paid parental leave, compared with 46% of similar working adults. Of those who received the benefit, 46% of teachers thought it was an adequate amount, compared with 78% of other adults.

The new report highlighted Arkansas as a , saying it鈥檚 a prime example of why states need to enact paid leave requirements. An optional program created in 2023 allowed the state and districts to evenly split the cost of substitutes who covered for teachers who were absent for up to 12 weeks. But only 10% of districts participated. 

Last year, lawmakers changed it to a mandatory, state-funded benefit that covered the full cost of long-term substitutes. The study said results of the new program are still unknown because it only took effect in August.

Washington state offers teachers the most time off: 12 to 16 weeks that can be extended to 18 in cases where pregnancy or birth complications arise. But the state offers only partial pay.

Maryland has a cap of $1,000 per week during parental leave, while Minnesota鈥檚 program covers between 55% and 90% of teachers’ salaries, depending on income level. In 2019, New Jersey increased its for eligible workers 鈥� including teachers 鈥� from 66% to 85% of their average wage. That change resulted in a 70% hike in program participation.

Seven states and the District of Columbia provide educators with full pay, but for a shorter amount of time, like six or eight weeks.

In , lawmakers debated in 2018 whether paid parental leave was the best use of limited state dollars, according to the study. Following months of advocacy, Delaware eventually created the nation鈥檚 first paid parental leave program for teachers, which NCTQ considers to be a model policy. It offered 12 weeks off, funded by an employee payroll contribution of less than 1%, and the state reimbursed districts for the cost of long-term substitutes. About 3% of teachers used the paid leave benefit in 2024.

鈥淚f states reimburse districts the cost of long-term substitutes, districts need only maintain normal operating costs by paying teachers鈥� salaries as usual,鈥� the study said. 鈥淭his policy ensures that educators receive their full pay during leave, while having minimal impact on the state鈥檚 overall budget.鈥�

NCTQ also recommends that states extend paid parental leave to all teachers who become parents, including fathers and educators who foster or adopt children. About one-third of states that provide paid leave offer reduced benefits for non-birthing parents or none at all. 

鈥淩esearch shows that when both parents have access to paid leave, families grow stronger, children are healthier and women experience greater career outcomes,鈥� Peske said. 鈥淓nsuring leave benefits for all parents helps attract and retain talented teachers in the classroom.鈥�

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