Committee on Education and the Workforce
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the 3 million members of the National Education Association, who are devoted to teaching and nurturing students across America who come from a variety of families and represent a wide spectrum of life experiences and perspectives, we appreciate this opportunity to offer comments in connection with the committee’s April 9 markup. We urge you to vote NO on H.R. 2617 and H.R. 2616 and to vote YES on H. Res. 237. Votes on these issues may be included in the NEA Report Card on the119th Congress.
Educators strive to ensure that students have what they need to learn and grow. They work with students and families to build school communities where every student is supported and feels a sense of belonging. Making sure that all public schools are safe and inclusive environments where all students—no matter what they look like, where they come from, or how they identify—can thrive and prepare for their future is essential. The educators of NEA oppose H.R. 2617 because there is no federal role in curriculum, and the legislation would represent a major intrusion into curricular issues that should be debated and decided locally. The legislation would also lead to school communities that are less safe and less welcoming for many students, as well as educators.
We oppose H.R. 2616 because it would represent an intrusion into students’ private matters of identity and could lead to higher rates of discrimination against and harassment and bullying of students. Under this legislation, teachers, school counselors and nurses, and other school staff could be required to “out” transgender and nonbinary students, without knowing what the repercussions might be. Treating a particular group of students as less deserving of respect, autonomy, and privacy—and even, inadvertently, putting them in harm’s way—is the antithesis of educators’ professional obligation: fostering learning environments based on respect, inclusion, and most of all, safety.
We support H. Res. 237 because as elected representatives, members of the House have the right and the responsibility to review all documents and records related to breaking apart the U.S. Department of Education, dismantling federal programs that students across the country depend on, and laying off critical staff. The lack of transparency and haphazard nature of these actions has incited widespread chaos and caused uncertainty and fear among students, families, and educators.
Educators prepare students for the future by accepting them for who they are and, in partnership with families and communities, making curricular decisions that best meet students’ needs. Instead of focusing on curricular issues and private matters of student identity, we ask that you closely examine the actions related to dismantling the Education Department and the crucial programs it administers.
Sincerely,
Marc Egan
Director of Government Relations
National Education Association
