Go all in with us to PROTECT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Educators and parents know that America's students need more opportunities to succeed, and we need to strengthen our public schools where 90% of students learn.
Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy. All students—with and without disabilities, in every state and neighborhood—have the right to an education that imparts academic and life skills, instills a lifelong love of learning, and encourages them to dream without limits.
Unfortunately, anti-public education politicians and their billionaire friends are trying to dramatically slash funding that helps reduce class sizes, feed hungry students, provide special education services, and lower the cost of college and vocational schools while they dismantle the very agency that protects students—the U.S. Department of Education.
That’s why we’re coming together to protect and strengthen public schools for our students, families, and ourselves. Use our resources to learn more and take action.
Upcoming Events
April 5 - Hands Off! National Day of Action: NEA, and national and local organizations, are coming together to organize for Hands Off!, a national mass activation in defiance of the Trump-Musk billionaire takeover and the Republican assault on our freedoms and our communities. Learn more >
April 14-25 - Congressional Recess: Our elected leaders will be returning to their districts as Congress goes on recess. This is the time to send a direct message: their action or inaction in Washington, D.C., matters here at home. During this period, NEA members will work with their communities and partners to speak up at town halls, as well as hosting house parties, community gatherings, and more.
May 1 - National Day of Action: On May Day, the labor movement honors the countless workers whose sacrifices paved the way for the rights we have today. From school campuses to community spaces, educators and allies will gather to demand fair wages, safe workplaces, and the freedom to organize. Together, we will raise our voices to continue the fight for dignity and justice on the job. Join us as we honor the legacy of past struggles and build power for the challenges ahead.
Actions You Can Take
To Stand Up for Schools
Looking for more ways to take action?
NEA Legal Rundown
During its first two months, the Trump Administration has attacked public education and inclusive policies, but are any of these actions legal? NEA's Office of General Counsel breaks it down.
What Students Stand to Lose
Public education cuts lead to larger class sizes and less support for students and educators, especially those who are most vulnerable or in need of special services, financial aid for college and career training, and protections from discrimination.
Special Education
Ninety-five percent of students with disabilities attend public schools. Funding cuts would stifle and their families would lose the support they need at school and at home.
College Affordability
Students who receive support for career training or to attend two- and four-year colleges could lose Pell Grants and federal student loans, leading to fewer options for families and more students dropping out.
Immigration Justice
We need immigration policies that are humane, functional, and just—not ones that sow isolation and fear.
Protecting LGBTQ+ Students
Our LGBTQ+ students need us to ensure our schools are places where all students are protected and empowered.
School Meals and Child Nutrition
Our students learn better when they are not hungry. We need to protect free and reduced-price school meal programs like SNAP from disastrous cuts.
Local Change Starts with You
Public School Strong provides tools and trainings to help communities advocate for equitable and fully funded schools at school board meetings and beyond. Learn how their network can help your local efforts.
How our Schools will Suffer
Redirecting public funds to private schools forces public schools to increase class sizes, eliminate afterschool programs and forgo desperately needed improvements to school buildings. Together, we have the power to defeat the effort to dismantle our neighborhood public schools.
Vouchers
Vouchers steal scarce funding from public schools—which serve 90 percent of students—and give it to private schools that are unaccountable to taxpayers.
Education Funding
Class sizes will balloon and after-school programs will disappear if federal funding goes away for public schools that serve lower income students and their families in rural, suburban, and urban communities in every part of the country.
School Modernization
Some politicians want to roll back President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocates funds to replace lead pipes. It also improves and builds new school buildings.
Understand Your Rights
Our guide helps public school teachers and support staff understand their rights when speaking up for public education and students.
A Setback to Teachers and Support Staff
We dedicate our lives to ensuring students can learn and grow in safe, welcoming environments. But some anti-public education politicians want to push us out of the profession with hostile work environments, low pay, and no respect, so they can justify school vouchers that give away public school funds to private schools.
Censorship and Bans
All children deserve well-trained and supported educators and curriculum to help them reckon with our past and shape our future. All educators deserve support for their rights to teach honest curriculums.
Collective Bargaining Rights
We won’t let anyone weaken our union and collective bargaining rights so they can keep wages low, create hostile work environments, and privatize public schools.
Why We Have a Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education was founded to help realize the promise of a quality public school for every student no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or how much their family makes.
Proposals to eliminate or defund it will force our students and public schools to pay the cost.
What's at Stake
Larger class sizes and less support for students and educators.
Lower income students and their families in rural, suburban, and urban communities in every part of the country would lose needed funding.
Students and families who receive support to attend college and vocational schools could lose Pell Grants or federal student loans, leading to more students dropping out, fewer choices, and less options for families.
Students with disabilities and their families would lose the support they need at school and at home.
Students with disabilities and lower-income students and their families would lose access to Upward Bound, TRIO and other programs that encourage them to participate in higher education.
Cuts to afterschool and summer programs will undo the progress educators make with tutoring, reductions in chronic absenteeism, and providing skill-building programs.
Protect Public Schools Communications Toolkit
Use our messaging guidance and communications tools to spread the word about the movement to protect our students, public schools, and each other, as well as the actions we can take to stand up for students, educators, and our communities.
OUR VOICE = POWER Speak Up for Public Schools
When we unite and speak truth to power, we can have an enormous impact. Stay up to date on the latest actions you can take to protect and improve public schools for all students.
