Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
Learn More
Published: December 2, 2021
One out of three public school employees is an Education Support Professional.
Education Support Professionals work in nine career fields:
- Clerical service
- Custodial and maintenance service
- Food service
- Health and student service
- Paraeducators
- Security service
- Skilled trade
- Technical service
- Transportation service
They need the resources and tools to work with teachers on promoting student achievement, keeping students safe, and cultivating a positive school climate that makes learning and growth possible.
Bills in Congress
-
Support
S Res 158 Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights www.congress.gov
Introduced on April 7, 2025
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
-
Support
H Res 297 Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights www.congress.gov
Introduced on April 7, 2025
A resolution expressing the sense of the House that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
-
Support
S 1220 Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on April 1, 2025
This bill creates a new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan—which links payments to a borrower’s income and family size—to better protect borrowers from unaffordable payments, runaway balances due to rapidly accruing interest, and offer a clearer path to debt relief after at least a decade of payments. The bill codifies, expands, and strengthens the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan that President Biden introduced to help student loan borrowers nationwide in 2023.
Recent Victory
2019
Honoring ESPs with a New Award
Congress overwhelmingly passes, and Pres. Obama signs into law, the Recognizing Achievement in Classified Employees Act. The law created an annual program to acknowledge the work of outstanding Education Support Professionals in K-12 schools and higher education.
We Love our ESP
Key Facts About ESPs
Education Support Professionals are critical members of the K-12 and Higher-ed public education workforce.
ESP Professional Growth
To ensure a great public education for every student, education support professionals (ESPs) want and deserve high-quality professional development and supports at every stage of their careers
Stopping Privatization
No matter their age, from Pre-K to higher ed, our students benefit when all educators—janitorial staff, paraeducators, and college professors alike—are treated like the professionals they are.
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
Are you an affiliate?
Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.
Speak Up For Students and Public Schools
When we act together and lift our voices together in unison, we can improve the lives of children.
