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.
What We're Fighting For
Funding for Students and Schools
Educators, parents, and communities are uniting for better school funding for our students. Join us to ensure all students, of every race and every place, have the funding they need to learn without limits and unlock their dreams.
Inclusive and Honest Education
All children deserve well-trained and supported educators and curriculum to help them reckon with our past and shape our future. Together, we can make that happen.
Federal Education Programs
Students across the country benefit from programs run by the Department of Education. Learn more about what the department does why dismantling it will put students and families at risk.
Immigration Justice
We must uphold the Constitutional right of all children in the United States to receive a K-12 education, regardless of their immigration status. Find out how your school can become a safe zone for immigrant students and communities and take action for fair and just immigration policies.
Union Rights
The National Education Association is the largest labor union in the country. When we unite and speak truth to power, we can have an enormous impact on issues affecting educators such as wages, improved working conditions, and fully funded schools.
Fully Funded Schools, Not False Choice
Vouchers take scarce funding from students in public schools and give those resources to unaccountable private schools, a scheme that has been shown time and again to do nothing to boost student achievement.
Take Action
From calling your member of Congress to hosting a community event, there are many ways you can show your support for public schools, students, and the Department of Education. Check out our latest opportunities for individual and collective action and don’t forget to reach out to family and friends. Studies show that educators remain a trusted voice in our communities, so use yours to lead others in protecting our students.
Actions You Can Take
To Stand Up for Schools
Looking for more ways to take action?
Engage Your Networks
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.
Host a Community Event
Bring the impact home with this step-by-step guide to hosting community events and actions locally.
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 Much Funding Does Your Public School Get from the Federal Government?
Students in every school district, in every community, in every state, rely on federal funding for public schools. See how much funding public schools in your congressional district get from the federal government and how the programs help students.
Upcoming Events
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. Access our toolkit for making the most of the recess.
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. Access our toolkit with resources to find an event near you or plan your own. Join us as we honor the legacy of past struggles and build power for the challenges ahead.
June 7 - Teach Truth Day of Action: Educators, students, parents, and community members will join together to reject attempts to censor the teaching of our true, honest history and books that reflect our diversity.
Are the President’s Actions Around Public Schools Legal?
Since Inauguration Day, the Trump administration has attacked public education and inclusive policies, often in direct conflict with existing law. Here is a deeper look at the legality of the Trump administration’s actions.
Check out our latest news, guidances, and resources
Why Block Grants Are Bad News for Students
If federal education funding is converted to block grants to the states, the most likely result is less money for public schools and more money for private school vouchers.
Open Letter: Protect Speech on College and University Campuses
You and/or your local affiliate can download and customize this model letter template to demand that your University's administration stand up for free speech and take action to protect immigrant students and staff.
Cancellation of Federal Teacher Grants Harms Retention Efforts
The grants cut by the Trump administration had been aimed at solving the teacher shortage, especially in poor and rural communities.
NEA Takes Action for Public Schools, Students, and Educators
Here's an overview of how we've been fighting for our students, educators, and schools.
April 10, 2025
Enforcement of Unlawful Anti-DEI Directive Temporarily Halted
In a major development in the lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s February 14, 2025, Dear Colleague Letter and its April 3, 2025, Certification Requirement, the parties have reached an agreement that blocks the department from taking any enforcement action under either directive until at least April 24, 2025. Read more
April 5, 2025
NEA President Speaks at Hands Off Day of Action
NEA President Becky Pringle joins NEA members participating in the Hands Off Day of Action to protest recent government actions and overreach. Pringle told the crowd of nearly 100,000 in Washington, D.C.: "These billionaires want to keep us divided so they can continue their power grab of our democracy. But in hundreds of towns across the country, we rallied to say: not on our watch."
March 24, 2025
NEA Files Suit to Defend Public Schools from Trump’s Reckless Cuts
NEA and a coalition of education, civil rights, and school employee groups that includes NAACP and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit in federal district court arguing that the staff cuts to the Department of Education left the agency unable to carry out many of its mandatory functions and put student civil rights in jeopardy. Read more
March 19, 2025
Educators, Parents “Walk-In” to Protect Public Schools
Thousands of educators and their unions hold hundreds of walk-in events across the country to send a message to elected officials: Enough is enough. Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s assault on public education will not stand. “Our kids spend so much time [in schools] every day. 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,” says walk-in participant and paraeducator Gary Cardillo. Read more
March 12, 2025
NEA Releases Open Letter on Behalf of Mahmoud Khalil
NEA publishes an open letter on the abduction of
Mahmoud Khalil from his home in Columbia University student housing. The Trump administration targeted Mr. Khalil because of his student activism and speech at Columbia University and is attempting to revoke Mr. Khalil’s legal status as a permanent legal resident of the U.S. without due process. The letter asserts that this action is in violation of First Amendment rights and is an assault on the core freedoms and values NEA holds as educators, students, parents, and community members.
March 5, 2025
NEA and ACLU Sue U.S. Department of Education Over Unlawful Attack on Educational Equity
In response to an anti-DEI “Dear Colleague” letter from the Trump Administration’s Department of Education that threatened to revoke federal funding for schools inclusive programs and curricula, NEA and the ACLU file a lawsuit to challenge the letter, arguing it imposes unfounded and vague legal restrictions and limits academic freedom. “The Trump administration is threatening to punish students, parents and educators in public schools for … fostering inclusive classrooms where diversity is valued [and] history is taught honestly,” says NEA President Becky Pringle. Read more
February 12, 2025
Rally to Protect Students and Public Schools
Parents, educators, community leaders and elected officials from across the country rally outside the U.S. Capitol – in rain and snow – to take a stand for students and public schools. The rally took place ahead of U.S. Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing and amidst threats of a looming executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. “We want solid leaders who believe in the promise of public education, who listen to those of us who know the names of our kids who enter our school buildings every morning. We need leaders who will show up in the snow, march in the street with us, and understand that we must invest in our students, not dismantle a system,” says media specialist Turquoise Lejeune Parker. Read more
January 31, 2025
NEA Issues Guidance on Immigration Issues
In response to President Trump rescinding policy that prohibits ICE from conducting immigration enforcement in public schools, NEA shares guidance to help schools adopt policies to limit ICE enforcement on school grounds, protect student privacy, and reaffirm that education is accessible to all students, regardless of immigration status. Read more
NEA Takes the Fight to Congress
NEA speaks up for the rights of students. Browse our recent letters and testimony to Congressional leadership, and add your voice.
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.
