; (ii) identify the average per-pupil expenditure of the quartile of local educational agencies with the greatest per-pupil expenditures in the State; and (iii) implement State and local actions to increase per-pupil expenditures at schools described in clause (i) to an amount that is not less than the average per-pupil expenditure described in clause (ii). (3) Timing (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall ensure that, not later than 4 years after the date of implementation of the final regulations issued in accordance with section 5 of the Pay Teachers Act , each State that receives assistance under this part meets the teacher salary requirements described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2). (B) Exception A State, if eligible, may request and be approved by the Secretary to participate in the Teacher Salary Improvement pathway described in paragraph (4) that provides an extended timeline to comply with the teacher salary requirements described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2). (4) Teacher Salary Improvement pathway (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Average teacher salary baselines The term average teacher salary baselines means, for each of the following years of service as teachers, the average annual base salaries of all full-time teachers employed by local educational agencies in the State: (I) 0 years, or starting teacher salaries. (II) 3 years. (III) 5 years. (IV) 10 years. (V) 15 years. (VI) 20 years. (VII) 25 years. (ii) Eligible improvement State The term eligible improvement State means a State— (I) that had an annual starting statewide teacher salary average that was less than $45,000 in fiscal year 2023; (II) in which 50 percent or more of the teachers employed by local educational agencies in the State did not receive an annual base salary of $60,000 or more in fiscal year 2023