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Our Issues

We are active on a host of issues that impact our students, educators, and communities.
First grade teacher Leslie Richardson with her students © 2016 NEA / Moses Mitchell Photography
First grade teacher, Leslie Richardson with her students at Greenwood Elementary School in Tahlequah, OK

Educating the whole child is about education funding, and it’s about so much more, too.

Learn more about what we're doing to improve the lives of our students, educators, and families.
 

Affordable Housing and the Unhoused

The shortage of affordable housing is pushing more students and families into homelessness and making it impossible for educators to live in the communities where they work.

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Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education blends academic and career skills with hands-on learning, giving students a competitive edge.

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Charter School Accountability

As taxpayer-funded schools, charter schools must be held to the same standards of accountability, transparency, and equity as traditional district public schools.

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Child Nutrition

Students need healthy, nutritious school meals that are free to all and prepare them for learning.

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Community Schools

Full-service community schools meet students’ academic and enrichment needs by recognizing that many students are coping with serious issues that affect their ability to learn and thrive in the classroom.

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COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for meaningful action on long-ignored challenges in public schools ranging from rebuilding our infrastructure to providing universal pre-K.

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Department of Defense Schools 

The Federal Education Association, an NEA affiliate, advocates for employee rights and quality learning environments in Department of Defense schools serving military-connected students with unique challenges such as parental deployments and frequent moves.

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Early Childhood Education

Universal pre-K and Kindergarten give children the foundation they need for a lifetime of learning and success.

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Education Funding and Budget

Congress funds critical programs serving the students most in need through the annual budget process.

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Education Support Professionals

Education Support Professionals play vital roles inside and outside the classroom. They keep schools and campuses running and ensure students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn.

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Educator Pipeline

Ensuring that students in every community have caring, committed, profession-ready educators means improving strategies for recruiting, preparing, and supporting educators at all stages

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Gun Violence Prevention

Students need safe environments to learn, live, and grow.

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Health Care

Every American has a right to comprehensive, affordable health coverage—especially the children who are our nation’s future.

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Higher Education

Going to college should not mean going into debt. Ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable to all Americans is key to our nation’s prosperity—and to the well-being of students and families.

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Homework Gap/Digital Divide

Too many students and educators don’t have the home internet access they need to succeed.

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Immigration

We need a fair immigration process that upholds America’s values and commitment to liberty and justice for all.

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LGBTQ+ Rights

As Americans, we believe in equality and fairness for all, and together we can end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

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Nominations

The Constitution requires the U.S. Senate to confirm certain presidential appointments. We take positions on judges and other nominees who matter to educators.

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Police Reform

We all want police officers to uphold the law and protect our neighborhoods, but that must not come at the expense of our civil liberties or personal sense of safety.

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Racial and Social Justice

All people, whatever their color, background, or ZIP code, deserve to be treated fairly and with respect.

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Retirement Security

Educators in some states are denied Social Security benefits they’ve earned. NEA is pushing to end this injustice by enacting federal legislation.

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Rural Schools

Schools in rural areas need reliable funding to provide students with the support, classes, activities, and technology that will ensure a well-rounded education.

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School Modernization

Many public school buildings are so ill-equipped or in such poor condition that they undermine teaching and learning.

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Special Education

All students deserve an education that sparks their curiosity and desire to learn. Special fits our most vulnerable students’ unique needs.

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Voting Rights

Whatever our color, background, or ZIP code, our vote gives us a say in the decisions that affect our lives.

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Vouchers

Vouchers take scarce funding from students in public schools and give those resources to unaccountable private schools.

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Women's Rights

As a nation, we’ve made great strides in the fight for equality. But there’s still a ways to go.

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Workers' Rights

Educators and all public-service employees deserve to negotiate over pay, benefits, and working conditions, but they lack a federal law that would guarantee that right.

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Joe Biden signes AAPI Hate Crimes Bill into law

When We Speak Up, We Have an Impact

For more than a century, NEA’s members have joined together with families and community leaders to advocate for our students and our public schools.
National Education Association

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.