Freedom to Learn and to Be Ourselves: Resources for NEA Affiliates

Please find below an updated list of essential resources for NEA State and Local Affiliates seeking guidance on how to advance the importance of public schools as places where every student belongs and can thrive. Certain politicians continue to try to distract and divide us by attacking honest and accurate curricula and the very existence of LGBTQ+ youth and educators, hoping we won’t notice these decision-makers’ failures to fully fund public education and our students’ futures. The resources below include research-tested messaging guidance and resources for legislative, legal, and school board advocacy on the freedom to learn and be ourselves. These resources can be used for rapid response and are equally as effective in shifting the ground to build support for inclusive public education.

Freedom to Learn 

Messaging Guidance and Digital Tools

1. NEA Message Guidance: Students Deserve an Honest and Accurate Education 

2. Freedom to Read Resources and Digital Content from NEA EdJustice 

3. Art for Action from NEA EdJustice 

4. Freedom to Learn Messaging Guidance from We Make the Future Action  

5. Freedom to Learn Digital Toolkit from We Make the Future Action 

Policy Guidance

1. Advocating for Freedom to Learn: Countering Legislative Attacks from NEA 

2. Freedom to Learn Sample School Board Resolution from NEA EdJustice 

3. Guidance for Sample Policy Engagement from NEA EdJustice 

4. Know Your Rights Guides (State Specific) from NEA EdJustice 

5. Know Your Rights: What You Should Know About State Measures Restricting Certain Instruction on Racism and Sexism from NEA EdJustice 

6. Report on Education Benefits of Ethnic Studies and a Culturally Responsive and Racially Inclusive Curriculum from NEA and Law Firm Antiracism Alliance 

7. Anti-diversity & Inclusion Proposed Policies: Legal Talking Points from Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law 

8. Attacks on State Standards from NEA 

Freedom to Be Ourselves

Messaging Guidance and Digital Tools

1. NEA Messaging Guidance: Defending the Freedom of our LGBTQ+ Students to be Themselves 

2. The Freedom to Be Ourselves Messaging Guide from We Make the Future Action 

3. Art for Action from NEA EdJustice 

Policy Guidance

1. Safe Schools for Everyone: What Educators Should Know about LGBTQ+ Rights from NEA 

2. Protecting LGBTQ+ Youth School Board Resolution from NEA EdJustice 

3. Letter sent from NEA to Hilliard, Ohio, Board of Education 

4. NEA and VEA comments on Virginia proposed model policies