‘Speaking out for children’s futures’

Educators organized with the Washington Education Association call on state legislators to pass new revenue to fully fund public schools

BELLEVUE, WA (March 20, 2025) — Educators and families rallied in Bellevue and Federal Way on Wednesday, calling on the State Legislature to secure new, progressive revenue to fully fund public schools, against the backdrop of federal attacks on public education nationwide.

In a press release, the Washington Education Association (WEA) said workers are speaking out for children’s futures.

“Despite being one of the wealthiest states in the nation, schools across Washington are making drastic cuts that are hurting our students learning and supports,” the release continues. “At the same time, federal cuts to the Department of Education could hurt Washington students, particularly students with disabilities.”

Educators join a wave of recent actions to push for taxes on corporations and the ultra-wealthy to fund essential services in Washington. Throughout the weekend, working families made their case to legislators at town halls, and on Monday, workers rallied at the State Capitol, bringing their call for tax fairness directly to Olympia.

Rallies in Washington were also part of a national day of action to defend public education, sounding the alarm on the catastrophic impacts of attacks on the Department of Education (DOE) and pulling resources out of school districts across the U.S.

Reports today indicate the President intends to sign an executive order to begin dismantling the DOE, despite more than 60% of Americans opposing this radical move.

The DOE provides critical support for poorer school districts, low-income students, and disabled students. Education for kids all over Washington could be severely impacted by cuts, adding all the more urgency to the educator’s call for the state to fully fund public schools.

In the words of WEA educators: “We will protect our students. We will defend our public schools. And we will not back down.”