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We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
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Published: March 12, 2025
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.
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NEA Urges House to Extend Affordable Care Act Subsidies
Submitted on January 7, 2026
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VOTE YES on the Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 3385)
Submitted on December 9, 2025
Bills in Congress
Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
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Support
HR 7032 Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on January 13, 2026
This bill would set a minimum wage for school staff of $45,000 per year, or $30 per hour.
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Support
S 3385 Lower Health Care Costs Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on December 8, 2025
This bill would provide a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to preserve access to health care for over 20 million Americans—entrepreneurs, self-employed contractors, and part-time workers whose employers don’t offer or help pay for insurance.
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Oppose
S 3386 Health Care Freedom for Patients Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on December 8, 2025
This bill is built around health savings accounts and high-deductible insurance—an approach that has been repeatedly rejected as unaffordable for working families—to provide access to healthcare.
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.
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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.
