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NEA In Action, January 2024

NEA is fighting to protect the freedom to learn, to help educators with student loan debt, and to overturn voucher laws harmful to public education.
Published: December 1, 2023
This article originally appeared on NEA.org

NEA Sues States Over Censorship Laws

Black female NEA Member holding up a sign that says Freedom to Learn at a rally.

NEA is taking six states to court over censorship laws that suppress lessons and discussions about race and gender. The lawsuits aim to protect educators’ freedom to teach and students’ freedom to learn accurate, honest, and inclusive lessons.

Lawsuits have been filed in:

  • Florida
  • Oklahoma
  • Georgia
  • New Hampshire
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin

NEA Chips Away at Student Loan Debt

Meme - With the new SAVE Plan, your federal loan payment could be as low as $0 per month.

NEA members have made their voices heard loud and clear. The U.S. Department of Education, after working directly with NEA, introduced a new student loan repayment plan that has reduced the monthly repayment to $0 for 2.9 million borrowers.

Called Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), the new income-driven repayment plan, which debuted in August 2023, also allows monthly payments to count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a program that forgives the student debt of teachers and other public service workers after 10 years of service. 

Since President Joe Biden took office, NEA has partnered with his administration to transform the state of student debt, making it easier for educators to afford debt repayment. 

Find out more at nea.org/studentdebt.


NEA Members Deliver Blow to Voucher Schemes

Nebraska members holding up signs - Support Our Schools and Sign the Petition

The Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) spearheaded a challenge to a terrible voucher law supported by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. With NEA support, an NSEA-led coalition collected more than 117,000 signatures to qualify a state ballot measure for the November 2024 election. Nebraskans will now have the chance to vote down the harmful law, which diverts taxpayer dollars away from cash-strapped public schools to private schools. 


New NEA Program Advances Student Learning

Caucasian Male teacher with students smiling.

NEA’s new Accelerating Student Learning Program gives educators real solutions to close the opportunity gaps that affect students nationwide. 

Teams of educators, paraeducators, parents, and administrators will pilot the program in 10 districts across the country. 

Each team will apply a unique plan, such as small group tutoring sessions, professional development, and strategies that increase student engagement. Other plans address student hunger, attendance, and inclusion.

Learn more at nea.org/accelerate.

The South Carolina Education Association logo

Your Voice. Our Power. Their Future.

The SCEA is an affiliate of the largest professional association of educators in the country. As the leading advocate for the schools South Carolina students deserve, The SCEA works to promote quality public education and to support public school employees.