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. 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 schoolswhile 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 to protect public schools.
Actions you can take
TO STAND UP FOR SCHOOLS
Looking for more ways to take action?
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
Students with disabilities 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.
Bring the Impact Home
Step-by-step guide to hosting community events and actions locally
Our Schools
Some politicians want to use public funds for private schools, forcing public schools to increase class sizes and eliminate afterschool programs and funds for improving 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.
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.
Educator Support for Transgender, Nonbinary and Intersex Students
NEA Legal and Employment Guidance: Setting the Record Straight on the K-12 Schooling Executive Order
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.
Press Conference on Proposed Cuts to Dept. of Education
NEARI joined Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Seth Magaziner to discuss the impact of proposed Department of Education Cuts. Speakers included Reed and Magaziner, RI Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Angélica Infante-Green, Commissioner of Postsecondary Education Shannon Gilkey, Rhode Island College President Jack Warner, NEARI Executive Director Mary Barden, RI Federation of Teachers President Maribeth Calabro, and RI Kids Count Executive Director Paige Parks. (February 17, 2025)
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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.
Related Content
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Learn now educators can prepare amid threats of mass deportation and policy rollbacks.
Top Three Reasons Linda McMahon Should Not Be Secretary of Education
Educators are appalled - but not surprised - that Donald Trump has nominated another grossly unqualified cdandidate to run the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
In the Courts
Lawsuits and challenges filed to protect public education, workers, and services
NEA and ACLU Sue U.S. Department of Education Over Unlawful Attack on Educational Equity
The lawsuit argues that the Education Department has overstepped its legal authority
RIAG Neronha joins coalition to sue Education Department
On March 13, 2025, a coalition of 21 attorneys general filed a suit in Massachusetts challenging the Administration's actions to dismantle of the Department of Education
RIAG co-leads lawsuit against HHS, Sec. Kennedy for public health grant cuts
Cuts to these grants caused chaos including at the RI Department of Health where hundreds of NEARI RIDOH PSA members work. Rhode Island stands to lose more than $31 million dollars from these cancellations by HHS.
RIAG Federal Action Response
Keep up with the cases and amicus briefs filed as well as guidance provided by the Office of Attorney General
Is It Legal?
Are the President's Actions About Public Schools Legal? Attorneys weigh in on the Trump administration's recent education actions. This NEA link will be updated every Friday .
NEA files amicus brief to ensure inclusive education for all students
The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on parents’ religious objections to inclusive education that reflects the diversity of identities in our public schools and communities.
