🟫 Education: Preschool to Public Schools to Higher Ed
Updated July 2025. A guide to advocacy groups fighting for equitable, well-funded education from early childhood through college.
These organizations work to strengthen public education, expand access, and close opportunity gaps. They promote progressive education policy, support students and educators, and defend schools from censorship, underinvestment, and privatization.
Many also emphasize local, in-person activism—empowering communities to influence policies from the school board to the state legislature. Their websites may provide action alerts, how-to-do-it guides, news reports, position papers, event announcements, videos, newsletters, and more to aid you in learning about the issues and taking action.
This guide is organized by key education issues — from early learning to student rights — and highlights groups active nationally and in Washington state.
Looking for more ways to make a difference?
This resource is part of my continuing series of issue advocacy guides at Plainly, Garbl. You’ll find 60 more—including voting rights, executive overreach, environmental protection, worker rights, peace and diplomacy, education, and disaster relief—at Advocacy Groups by Issue. Check back occasionally for new issues and updated guides.
Early Childhood Education
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Promotes high-quality early childhood education and advocates for policies that support young children and their families.
Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)
Focuses on child advocacy, including preschool and K–12 education equity for marginalized communities.
League of Education Voters (Washington State)
Works to expand access to quality early learning and public education in Washington through research, community organizing, and legislation.
K–12 Public Education Equity & Funding
National Education Association (NEA)
The largest U.S. educators' organization, advocating for teachers' rights, quality public education, and educational equity.
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Labor union supporting equitable access to education and improved working conditions for educators.
Stand for Children – Washington
Supports public education policies and school board elections in Washington, especially those that close equity gaps.
Washington Education Association (WEA)
State affiliate of NEA representing educators through bargaining, legislative advocacy, and public action.
A progressive advocacy group that sometimes supports pro-education legislation and candidates in Washington.
Committee for Education Funding (CEF)
Coalition advocating for increased federal investment at all education levels.
Focuses on closing opportunity gaps and raising achievement for underserved students in K–12 and higher education.
Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS)
Organizes teachers, students, and families to advocate locally against school privatization and for equity.
Grassroots national network of Black and Brown parents organizing locally for equitable, community-based public schools.
Higher Education Access & Academic Freedom
American Association of University Professors (AAUP)
Defends academic freedom, shared governance, and faculty rights at U.S. colleges and universities.
Recruits college graduates to teach in underserved schools to address systemic inequities.
Works for equitable college access and success for underserved populations.
Washington Student Association (WSA)
A student-led nonprofit advocating for affordable, equitable higher education in Washington. It engages students in policy and budget decisions.
Disability & Special Education
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Supports the education of students with disabilities and gifts/talents, with resources for families and educators.
Student Rights & Civil Liberties
A law and advocacy organization working to advance education equity by tackling systemic inequality in school funding and student opportunity.
National Women’s Law Center (NWLC)
Fights for gender equity in education, including protections under Title IX.
National Center for Youth Law – Education
Uses policy and legal advocacy to support youth rights in schools across states.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Promotes secular public education and opposes religious coercion in schools.
Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Policy Innovators in Education (PIE) Network
A national network of state-based education advocacy organizations working for student-centered public education policy and reform.
Empowers families to fight for community-based, culturally relevant schools.
Partners with parents and communities to push for inclusive policy change in Washington.
Stand for Children – Washington
Engages parents in advocacy for student-focused reforms.
Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS)
Supports local coalitions of families and educators organizing for justice.
Related Resources
🟫 Student Debt, Tuition & College Access
A guide to advocacy groups fighting for affordability, access, and relief
🟫 Early Learning & National Service
A ranked guide to advocacy groups protecting vital programs like Head Start and AmeriCorps
🟫Youth Civic Engagement & Student Activism
A ranked guide to organizations supporting youth activism, voting, and organizing
Key Issues for Advocates and Educators
Equitable Funding for Education: Ensuring that all schools have adequate funding to provide quality education, regardless of socioeconomic status or location.
Access to Special Education Services: Advocating for the provision and improvement of special education services to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities.
Inclusive Education Practices: Promoting inclusive practices that allow students with disabilities to learn alongside their peers in general education settings.
Teacher Training and Professional Development: Providing ongoing training for educators on best practices for teaching students with disabilities and accommodating diverse learning needs.
Accountability and Assessment: Ensuring fair and effective assessment practices that accurately measure student progress and outcomes, including those for students with disabilities.
Support for English Language Learners: Addressing the unique educational needs of English Language Learners (ELL) to ensure they receive appropriate support and resources.
Mental Health and Wellness Support: Advocating for mental health resources and support systems in schools to address the emotional and psychological needs of students.
Parental Engagement and Advocacy: Encouraging active involvement of parents and families in the educational process and empowering them to advocate for their children's needs.
Federal Policies and Regulations: Monitoring and influencing federal policies, including those related to the Department of Education, that impact funding, standards, and access to education.
Technology and Digital Equity: Promoting access to technology and digital resources to ensure all students can benefit from modern educational tools and overcome barriers to learning.