Paraprofessionals & school-related personnel

Some people believe that eliminating the federal Department of Education, which administers funding for the special education programs mandated by law, means kids without disabilities will get a better education.

Beyond stripping money away from special education, one of the worst threats to kids with autism by the Trump administration is a profound misunderstanding of autism itself.

As Republican lawmakers push a plan to slash $2 trillion from federal programs—while handing more tax breaks to billionaires—millions of families could lose access to the basics they rely on.

Kentucky paraeducator Dennis Wheatley has been thinking about what it would mean for schoolkids if the president of the United States is allowed to do what he wants and take an ax to federal funding for special education, preschool, after-school and anti-poverty education programs—not to mention Medicaid.

Special education paraprofessional Jeff Whittle started supporting children with disabilities as a volunteer in junior high school.

Special education paraprofessional William Schwandt explains why he’s deeply alarmed about federal money for public education, science and health programs being withheld by the Trump administration.

No one working a full-time job should be paid so little that they cannot afford to feed themselves, put clothes on their back, see a doctor, or keep a roof over their head. Fair wages for work should extend to every workplace and every working person.  Too many school and college support staff make less than a living wage for the areas in which they live.  This toolkit is designed to provide local AFT affiliates and their members with tools, training and supports to develop a living wage campaign tailored to the specific political, economic, and social conditions found in their state or local school system.

Respect is something that every worker should feel. Education workers work hard and support our students, our public schools and by extension, our communities. This toolkit includes strategies and tactics to help raise the profile of the work we do as school and college support staff as well as engage in collective action to win the respect we all deserve.

Work shouldn’t hurt! Staff and students should be able to go to school without fear of being hurt or attacked. Employers have a duty to protect workers and to provide a safe and healthy workplace free from harm.   As a union we have the collective power to address safety in a cohesive and meaningful way. This toolkit explores different ideas, strategies, and tactics on the local, state and national level to help ensure that workers get what they need to do their jobs safely.