Educators, Parents “Walk-In” to Protect Public Schools

Beverly Fassell knows why her granddaughter has reached her school’s honor roll the past two years. Enrolled in the Autism Resource Program at Takoma Park Middle School, she receives the accommodations and support she needs to help access the curriculum and thrive academically.  

“It’s a wonderful program, and she has dedicated teachers who work with her. To go from being an excellent student to not being educated, or barely educated, is just not an option,” Fassell said. “All our kids deserve the best.” 

But if the U.S. Department of Education is dismantled, programs and resources for students with disabilities, like her granddaughter, will be jeopardized.   

Fassell knows this, which is why she joined other family members, educators, and community leaders in solidarity outside Takoma Park Middle School in Montgomery County, MD on March 19 to participate in the National Walk-In to Protect Public Education, organized by the National Education Association. On Wednesday, educators and their unions hosted hundreds of walk-in events across the country to send a message to elected officials everywhere: Enough is enough. Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s assault on public education will not stand. 

“This is a real threat to our students,” said Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) President David Stein. “And it’s not ok. These are our schools. We’re walking-in today because we need to raise awareness. We need to tell the country what is happening.”   

‘We Cannot Stand By’

In its first few weeks in office, the White House issued a series of reckless and destructive directives to destabilize public schools and target some of our most vulnerable students. They included stripping schools of critical funding and launching national school voucher programs.  

With the confirmation of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education in late February, the administration accelerated plans to abolish the Education Department and transfer critical federal programs such as IDEA, Title I and Pell Grants to other departments, diluting not only necessary funding but also accountability and oversight. Earlier this month, the administration, without cause, fired nearly half of the Department of Education staff. 

The National Education Association and tens of thousands of educators, students, parents and  community allies have been mobilizing against the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle public education. 

“We cannot stand by while lawmakers dismantle the critical programs the Department of Education implements, cut critical funding for students with disabilities, English Learners, poor students, and take higher education and career/tech training opportunities away from the students and families who need them most,” NEA President Becky Pringle said. 

Reclaiming a Public Good 

In February, NEA’s rally to protect students and public schools brought together educators, community leaders, and elected officials outside the U.S. Capitol to raise the alarm about the administration’s agenda. 

Earlier this month, the call went out to NEA members, schools, and communities to gather in front of their schools on the morning of March 19, 30-45 minutes before the school day begins, and “walk-in” together, in solidarity. 

“Our kids spend so much time here every day,” said paraeducator Gary Cardillo. “It’s a safe place, it’s a place where they get a high-quality education, it’s a place where they get food. Schools mean everything and we need to support them.” 

But this administration and its “billionaire buddies,” Pringle told the crowd at Takoma Park Middle School, is intent on taking a wrecking ball to public education, and it us up to everyone one of us to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to protect our schools.  

“We will not allow them to take it away,” she said. “We will protect our students. We know public education is the foundation of this democracy and we must reclaim it as the public good it has always been.” 

Tuned In 

For Takoma Park Middle paraeducator Gary Cardillo, events like the Walk-In help spotlight the urgency he believes may be lacking among the public.  

“My fear is always that enough people don’t respond until the damage has been done. That is, until the funding cuts have an impact. Soon, a parent may find out that their child ‘s class size has ballooned to 36 kids, or they can’t get free-or-reduced meals. So, today we are raising awareness before it’s too late.”  

Calling such a broad-based assault on public school “government efficiency” is absurd, said Takoma Park Middle teacher Sarah Manchester. “DOGE has zero interest in that and that's what people need to understand. The cuts to our schools will be devastating. Not to mention the fact that data collection and research is being abolished. How will we know how inequality or racism impacts our students and their education?” 

MCEA President David Stein recently heard from an individual who wondered what the urgency was all about, since the federal government is responsible for a relatively small portion of schools’ education budget. 

“That’s true, but here’s the thing: the federal government supports our most vulnerable students,” Stein said. “These are our students in poverty, our students with disabilities. And when they are attacking the Department of Education, they are attacking all our students.” 

Walking into the school after the rally, Beverly Fassell said the event gave her a much-needed boost.    

“To be honest, we are all overloaded, parents especially. And what is going on right now—what could happen to our schools, to these students, to these wonderful teachers—it may all seem too much. I think that’s what the administration wants—to overwhelm us. But we’re tuned in now. We’re all talking about these issues and hopefully there will be more events like this one. Today I’m feeling hopeful.”