H.R. 7202 — Invest in Rural Teachers Act

This section establishes a new Rural Teacher Incentive Bonuses program (Part C of ESEA Title II, with existing Part C redesignated as Part D) under which the Secretary of Education awards grants to states, which in turn award subgrants to eligible entities—small rural local educational agencies (LEAs) meeting ESEA §5211(b) criteria or educational service agencies (ESAs) serving them—to provide signing and retention bonuses of $5,000 annually for three school years to teachers hired to teach in rural schools under those entities. Eligible entities must prioritize "homegrown" teachers (i.e., those previously residing in the community, including those born, raised, and educated there) and partner with institutions of higher education to promote the bonuses to teacher preparation students. The section authorizes $500,000,000 for the program for each of FY2027 through FY2030.