WASHINGTON – May 14, 2020 –

Leaders from two of the largest and most influential education organizations, the National Education Association and the National PTA, along with teachers and education support professionals who continue to serve students during the coronavirus pandemic, joined together in a national media call. They addressed the pressing issues facing students, families and educators, including what’s needed from Congress as elected officials discuss transitioning to in-person learning for the 2020-21 academic year.

Congress to support students now

NEA releases poll data and launches national campaign, including million-dollar ad buy

WASHINGTON – May 14, 2020 –

Leaders from two of the largest and most influential education organizations, the National Education Association and the National PTA, along with teachers and education support professionals who continue to serve students during the coronavirus pandemic, joined together in a national media call. They addressed the pressing issues facing students, families and educators, including what’s needed from Congress as elected officials discuss transitioning to in-person learning for the 2020-21 academic year.

“The partnership between parents and educators is so important, especially in this time of crisis. Educators’ number-one concern is the safety, well-being and success of our students,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. “Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the inequities facing our most vulnerable students and with the economic downturn now threatening the future of public schools, parents and educators are standing together because we cannot wait. Our nation’s students cannot pay the price in this crisis.”

As Americans brace for what could be the worst economic downturn in U.S. history, educators and parents are demanding that Congress act quickly to support students and provide the federal funding they need to succeed. Estimates of state revenue shortfalls range from $500 billion from the National Governors Association and Economic Policy Institute to $650 billion over 3 years, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. School finance experts also predict that hundreds of thousands of education jobs could be lost — impacting the education of millions of students — absent federal intervention.

This week, House Democrats introduced a new coronavirus relief bill, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act or “HEROES Act,” to provide more resources for students and educators through vital funding for public schools and communities combatting the coronavirus crisis. While this legislation isn’t perfect, it includes $100 billion specifically for K-12 and higher education along with $915 billion in state and local aid to address budget gaps that could be used to help public schools and college campuses.

NEA’s intensive advocacy campaign kicks off with a tele-townhall featuring Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), and award-winning actor Bradley Whitford, as well as thousands of education activists, to discuss what is at stake for students and communities. Over the course of the coming weeks, NEA will be organizing virtual #RedForEd rallies across the country and engaging educators and parents in tens of thousands of phone calls and emails to Congress, telling lawmakers to put politics aside and provide emergency funding for students now.

More resources are available at nea.org/coronavirus.

Follow on twitter at @NEAmedia, @Lily_NEA and @NationalPTA

Keep up with the conversation on social media at #ProtectAllWorkers and #RedForEd