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Protect Public Schools Rally

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 a cornerstone of our democracy. Unfortunately, some politicians seek 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. 

Students from lower income-families students in rural, suburban, and urban communities in every part of the country would be hit the hardest, further exacerbating the economic inequity in our communities. 

Public schools and the U.S. Department of Education exist because all students, with and without disabilities, in every state and neighborhood, have the right to an education that imparts academic lessons, life skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

This is why we are coming together to protect equitable educational opportunities and access to critical resources for schools, students, and educators. We will be heard from the school board to the Senate demanding they protect and strengthen public schools for our students, families, and ourselves.

Use our resources to learn more and take action protect public schools. 

Actions You Can Take

To Stand Up for Schools

Looking for more ways to take action?

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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

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.
Learn More
Higher ed professor explaining something to student

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.
Learn More
Woman outside holding a sign that says "we are the future" in front of an American flag

Immigration Justice

We need immigration policies that are humane, functional, and just—not ones that sow isolation and fear.
Learn More NEA President responds to Trump's harmful immigration actions
transwomen-marching

Protecting LGBTQ+ Students

Our LGBTQ+ students need us to ensure our schools are places where all students are protected and empowered.
Learn More NEA President responds to executive order on gender-affirming care
School Lunch line

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.
Learn More
Two women wear blue t-shirts with the word Public Schools Strong and look into the camera

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.
Visit our campaign site Sign up for an orientation session to learn more
Becky Pringle speaks at the Feburary 12 Rally to Protect Public Schools in Washington, DC
“Unions exist for moments like this. We, the NEA, will always fight like hell when people come for our kids, our professions, and our communities.”
Quote by: Becky Pringle, NEA President
Learn more about the Rally to Protect Public Schools

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.
school voucher protest

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.
Learn More Executive order overreaches to steal money from public school students to fund private school vouchers
Educator teaching science lesson to young students

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.
Learn More
teen boy outside school

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.
Learn More
An educator in a purple shirt speaks to a crowded state capital.

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.
Black woman choosing a book at a library

Censorship and Bans

All children deserve well-trained and supported educators and curriculum to help them reckon with our past and shape our future.
Learn More NEA President: Trump’s latest punitive executive order silences and punishes educators for teaching the truth
Black female with bullhorn

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.
Learn More
Doctor holds up stethoscope to child in striped shirt.

Healthcare

Every American has a right to comprehensive, affordable health coverage.
Learn More

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.

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.
Black and white photo of the White House with storm clouds above

Five Reasons Educators Are Wary as Second Trump Term Begins

A handful of powerful politicians aim to gut federal programs that support public schools and colleges. Together, educators and parents can defeat their agenda.

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NEA Shares Guidance as Immigration Changes Create Uncertainty

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Linda McMahon

What We Learned from Linda McMahon’s Confirmation Hearing

The nominee is ready to dismantle the Department of Education and steer federal funds away from public schools to pay for private school vouchers and tax cuts for the rich.
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How Dismantling the Department of Education Would Harm Students

Educators and parents will not stand for the destruction of our country’s commitment to equal educational opportunities for all students.
National Education Association logo

Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
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