- 64 of the 148 largest U.S. districts now offer paid parental leave — more than double since 2022 — but most still do not.
- Where offered, teachers receive about 40 workdays on average; eligibility for non-birthing, adoptive, and foster parents is expanding.
- Substitute-cost models vary (district-funded, shared, or state-assisted), shaping how “paid” the benefit feels in practice.
The Big Picture
More Virginia school divisions are adopting paid family leave, part of a wider national shift to support educators during childbirth, adoption, or foster placement — according to the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). The latest District Trendline finds that 64 of the 148 largest districts now provide paid parental leave beyond sick days — up from 27 in 2022 — even as a majority nationwide still offer no paid leave.
What’s New
According to NCTQ, access has broadened since 2022 to include more non-birthing partners, adoptive parents, and foster parents. The most common benefit remains 16–30 workdays, but more districts now offer 31–60 days, and a few extend further. On average across districts with a policy, teachers receive roughly 40 workdays of paid leave.
The report noted that implementation differs: some districts fully fund substitute coverage, others split costs with employees, and some rely on state programs that reimburse salaries while districts cover substitutes. Those choices determine the real value of the benefit for families and its impact on retention.
What They’re Saying
Context
According to NCTQ, the United States remains the only high-income country without federally mandated paid parental leave. Federal protections like the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act safeguard jobs but do not guarantee pay, leaving states, districts, and bargaining agreements to define eligibility, duration, and funding. International peers commonly provide months — sometimes more than a year — of paid or partially paid time.
What’s Next
The analysis suggests district negotiations will continue to focus on who qualifies, how long leave lasts, and who pays for substitutes. As reported by NCTQ, state-level programs slated to expand in 2025–26 could push more systems toward formal policies and broader coverage, especially as leaders weigh substitute costs against the higher price of turnover.
The Bottom Line
Virginia’s largest districts are trending toward paid family leave, but access remains uneven nationwide. The findings indicate paid parental leave is increasingly viewed less as a perk and more as a practical retention policy to keep experienced teachers in classrooms.
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