Our Movement

The NEA is leading the way. We are the strongest force for public education and democracy in our country.

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With more than 3 million members, residing in every single congressional district, NEA is the largest labor union in the United States and the world’s largest professional association of educators. We are the strongest force for public education in the country.

Public education is the cornerstone of American democracy. From the classroom to the ballot box, NEA is dedicated to safeguarding our democracy. 

NEA members, together, have the power to stand up for strong public schools and every community. Now, when the ongoing pandemic is straining educators, students, and our communities, and the freedom to learn and teach honest and accurate history is under threat, the public leadership of NEA members is essential.

In 2020, the United States faced a crisis and NEA members met the moment. We helped defeat an incumbent president and elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. We elected other allies up and down the ballot.

We won tremendous victories, resulting in historic investments in public education and significant progress for all Americans. The American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill are major investments in our schools and in our communities. We’ve made major progress on public service loan forgiveness, fighting child poverty, and strengthening the capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In each state, NEA and our affiliates are leading the efforts to hold politicians accountable and make sure these federal investments are implemented effectively, so that funding reaches our classrooms and our students have the learning opportunities and safe environments that they deserve.

With our allies in office, we have taken key steps. But the crisis is not over.

 We continue to face significant challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten our communities and our schools. Across the country, we are facing new efforts to undermine the right to vote, limit collective bargaining rights, and curtail our students’ freedom to learn and NEA members’ ability to teach the truth. Even while our communities are pulling together to get through the pandemic, some politicians are trying to defund public education with voucher expansion schemes and irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthy.

In 2022, we need to build on the progress that we’ve made and defend our values. At the federal, state, and local levels, we will support candidates who stand with students and educators.

This election cycle, NEA members will work hard to support candidates who share our values at all levels of government. From the US Senate and House, to governors’ offices, state legislatures, and school boards, we are ready to hold elected officials accountable and support recommended candidates on the campaign trail.