Celebrate the Freedom to Read
Attacks on books are attacks on people. And on our children. This Banned Books Week, join us to protect the right of all students, no matter where they live, to access information and materials, including age-appropriate books. Take our pledge, customize and download bookmarks, and more.
We’re here to make sure that every student & educator succeeds.
The National Education Association (NEA) is more than 3 million people—educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends—who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society.
Our best hope for student success is you.
Your passion and commitment are crucial to helping all students—of all colors and backgrounds—learn, grow, and fulfill their potential. Here’s how you can get started.
Advocate for your rights & working conditions.
Achieve professional excellence and become a leader in your profession.
Advance justice with us.
Are you an affiliate?
Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.
Our journey began more than a century ago. Yours starts now.
We’ve spent decades working for students and educators—but, there’s still more to do. Like our progress during the civil rights and women’s rights movements, we need to dig in and speak up for the students and educators who are still facing inequality every day.
Let’s get real
Let’s bring real change
Let’s get real
School rankings rely heavily on standardized test scores, omitting many critical indicators of school climate and student success.
Let’s bring real change
“If you’re moving to a new community, especially from out of state, and you don’t know anything, there’s not much else to go on. I’m a parent. I get it. But as a teacher, I know the shortcomings of these rankings....You can’t really learn about a school from a state rank. If a school is genuinely good, it will show when you visit and talk to teachers and other parents....We need to move away from the reliance on test scores. We need to focus more on the things rankings don’t show.”
— Kimberly Reece, ESOL teacher, Maryland
Why you can't judge a school by its rankings
From 1984 to today, the percentage of students who say they never read for fun went from 8 to 29.
Let’s bring real change
“It’s access, choice—and talking about books. You have to buy the books they want....These last couple of years, kids have been coming to me and saying, ‘What do you have with LGBTQ+ themes?’ Ten years ago, they might have been embarrassed. Today, they’re excited about these books and affirmed that we have them!”
— Marcia Kochel, middle school librarian, Georgia
How to keep the joy of reading alive in your classroom
Forty percent of U.S. school districts still offer a starting salary below $40,000.
Let’s bring real change
“The demands at school...have gotten overwhelming and we're not compensated properly for it. True, no one goes into this profession for the money, but teachers in many parts of the country barely make enough to live, and that's insane...and they are being pushed out of the profession.”
— Samantha Twohig, special education teacher, West Virginia
Read: The Right and Wrong Way to Raise Educator Pay
What’s on Your Mind?
We’re here to help. Our community comes to us seeking tools (guides, reports, trainings, and more) to help answer everyday questions. We’re here to support you in whatever you need.
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- School Climate
- Trauma
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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
To help celebrate and educate about the contributions of Hispanic Americans and Hispanic culture, check out our curated list of lessons, activities, videos, and more.
Stay Informed We'll come to you
We're here to help you succeed in your career, advocate for public school students, and stay up to date on the latest education news. Sign up to stay informed
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.