WASHINGTON – The Trump administration today doubled-down on its continued actions to harm students and public education. In its latest missive to states, the administration threatened to withhold federal funding from public schools that promote an inclusive education for all students.
The National Education Association, NEA-New Hampshire, individual educators, and the Council for Black Educator Development sued the Trump administration in March over its directive to punish educators and public schools. The lawsuit asks the court to block the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing this harmful and vague directive and protect students from politically motivated attacks that stifle speech and erase critical educational lessons.
The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:
“Educators and parents know that teaching should be guided by what is best for students, not by threat of illegal restrictions and punishment. That is why we sued the Trump administration – and we stand by our lawsuit. This latest action by the Trump administration to shut down free speech and coerce educators to abandon inclusive practices at school remains illegal and unconstitutional as we pointed out in our legal filing. We will continue to do what is best for students, not by directives of illegal restrictions and punishment by Linda McMahon, Elon Musk, or Donald Trump.
“Our students need more opportunities to succeed, and we need to strengthen, not dismantle, our public schools where 90 percent of this country’s students—and 95 percent of students with disabilities—learn. If the Trump administration follows through with their latest threat, students are the ones who stand to lose. Hundreds of thousands of educators stand to lose their jobs if the Trump administration has its way.
“We will not let those politicians distract us from the real issues facing public schools. We know what is at stake. That is why we are coming together—parents, students, and educators—to make sure every child, regardless of race, ZIP code, or family income, has the opportunities and resources they need to grow into their brilliance.
“More to the point, the court will have the final say, not a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter.”
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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org
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