Paige Shoemaker DeMio

© 2024 Popular Democracy.  All Rights Reserved.

For non-educators, contact your Members of Congress here! secure.ngpvan.com/UOAkenNHsUCT...

Congress needs to hear from us loud and clear: don't agree to any DHS budget that allows ICE activity at schools, ever.

Contact your Members of Congress to demand they restore protections for students and their families: action.e4e.org/protect-scho...

Fragmenting the U.S. Department of Education Creates Chaos for Rural Students Superintendent's view: Multiple lines of authority, blurred accountability and conflicting priorities will interrupt essential funding and services.

I am honored to know and collaborate w/Dr. Steven Johnson, a small town rural superintendent in ND. As Steven explains in his latest op-ed, breaking up ED will interrupt funding & services, wreaking havoc on student outcomes - especially for rural students.

www.the74million.org/article/frag...

Kennedy Scales Back the Number of Vaccines Recommended for Children

The administration's reckless overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule will put America’s children at greater risk of preventable disease and death. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...

How To Increase the Retention of Early Career Teachers A 2025 CAP survey of early career teachers sheds light on the experiences and factors that assisted or hindered their persistence in the field.

As a former educator, I know the challenges early career teachers face. But a strong education system needs a strong teacher workforce. We surveyed new teachers across the country to better understand what they need to stay in the field.

Read more:
www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...

Moving Federal Education Programs Will Create More Bureaucracy, Not Less The Trump administration is unlawfully using interagency agreements to continue its piecemeal dismantling of the Department of Education.

Don’t miss my new piece for @americanprogress.bsky.social on how the Trump admin’s use of interagency agreements is illegal and meant to further dismantle the Department of Education, creating more bureaucracy, not less, and harming schools and students 👇🏼

www.americanprogress.org/article/movi...

The youth mental health crisis in the US is rising, & it impacts kids as young as infancy. As the OBBBA is implemented, that crisis will worsen. Programs like #HeadStart can help mitigate families' struggles through its wraparound supports. To learn more: www.americanprogress.org/article/head...

6 Ways States Can Protect Vaccine Access While the Trump Administration Dismantles the Federal System As the federal government dismantles the country’s vaccine infrastructure, the burden of ensuring access to vaccines for flu, measles, and more is shifting to states.

As the federal government dismantles the national vaccine infrastructure, the burden to protect and preserve access to lifesaving vaccines increasingly falls on states. Read 6 ways states can, and already are, taking action to fill the void. www.americanprogress.org/article/6-wa...

The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Education Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students The Trump administration unlawful layoffs during the federal shutdown, in coordination with its policy changes and budget cuts, are intended to lead to closure of the Department of Education, leaving ...

The Trump admin's unlawful layoffs during the federal shutdown, in coordination with policy changes & budget cuts, are intended to lead to closure of the Dept. of Education—leaving disabled students with fewer services and protections.

New from me & @seemiaroll.bsky.social:

The Trump Administration’s Latest Staffing Cuts at the Department of Education Threaten Children’s Success Across the Country Cuts to staff at the Department of Education threaten the federal government’s long-term ability to ensure equal access to education for all, including children with disabilities.

The Trump administration’s recent cuts to staff at the Department of Education threaten the federal government’s long-term ability to ensure equal access to education for all.

Read more: www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

The Trump administration slashed the Department of Education's workforce by nearly 50%—this is a direct attack on 50 million students. @pbshoemaker.bsky.social breaks down the numbers behind these cuts:

Many Districts Will Lose Federal Funds Until the Shutdown Ends And if federal layoffs go through, the Ed. Dept. would lack staff to send out the funds afterward, too.

While Republicans continue to keep the government shutdown, students are facing the consequences. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...

Trump’s “Compact” With Colleges Will Put University Presidents in Legal Jeopardy The White House’s proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is unconstitutional, unlawful, and will put universities and their administrators at direct risk from a politicized Justi...

NEW: The "compact" the Trump administration proposed to 9 universities earlier this month is a dangerous trap -- not only would the deal cede significant control over colleges, but it would open them and their leaders up to great legal risk.

www.americanprogress.org/article/trum...

Public Education Under Threat: 4 Trump Administration Actions To Watch in the 2025-26 School Year As public K-12 schools across the country face increasing threats from federal policies and actions, state and local leaders should prepare to respond.

As public K-12 schools across the country face increasing threats from the Trump administration's policies and actions, state and local leaders should prepare to respond. @pbshoemaker.bsky.social and Weadé James explain:

"If you're not visiting a classroom, if you're not visiting a school building [...] you're not doing your job." Lawmakers need to meet with, listen to, and learn from the people they're meant to represent.

Had an amazing time chatting with Dr. Joan Lombardi & other amazing speakers about the impact of extreme heat on young children, & what actions we need to take now to protect them amid federal climate rollbacks.

Full convo here: www.americanprogress.org/events/reach...

As @cccllc.bsky.social explains, it will take a whole-of-society response to ensure our children are protected from the impacts of extreme heat and have the save future they deserve.

To learn more, watch a recording of our recent event: www.americanprogress.org/events/reach...

Extreme heat is more than just an inconvenience in classrooms—it is a barrier to students' ability to focus and learn. Our schools deserve better and must be equipped to properly combat extreme heat.

Just pointing out that she’s mentioned the number 47 three times already, so that’s something to keep in mind… #TSTheLifeOfAShowgirl

It's not too late to register for our webinar today! 📣

@pbshoemaker.bsky.social & I will be joined by a truly all-star panel of advocates & leaders to talk about how we can protect young children from extreme heat, & you won't want to miss it.

rsvp2.americanprogress.org/reachingaboi...

Want to know more about the impacts of federal funding decisions on local public schools? Join us for a virtual event next week with local leaders discussing the impact of these decisions and how state and local leaders can mitigate harm.

RSVP today: www.americanprogress.org/events/back-...

I'm hosting an event tomorrow alongside the incredible @haileygibbs.bsky.social! Join us for a discussion on the impacts of extreme heat on children, current threats to climate progress, and ways state & local leaders can protect our youngest.

RSVP here! www.americanprogress.org/events/reach...

Excited to share that I've teamed up with @pbshoemaker.bsky.social & a bunch of brilliant people to host what's sure to be a great chat on Aug 13 @ 12:30pm ET re: how to protect kids from extreme heat amid federal rollbacks on climate prog. Come join us!
rsvp2.americanprogress.org/reachingaboi...

Scorching temperatures and the roll back of federal protections put children at risk. Join us for a virtual event discussing the impacts of extreme heat on children and how state, local, & community leaders can protect those most vulnerable.

RSVP today: www.americanprogress.org/events/reach...

Attention educators and policymakers ‼️ As students head back to school this month, the Class of 2025 is sharing their message on strengthening public education. Watch the full event: www.americanprogress.org/events/class...

Trump’s FY 26 budget plan would worsen rural schools’ challenges, analysis finds Lower funding would exacerbate issues including teacher recruitment and lack of access to advanced classes, the Center for American Progress finds.

Trump’s actions and recommendations for K-12 education harm rural students and leave them with less.

I talked with K-12 Dive to lay out what’s at stake: www.k12dive.com/news/trumps-...

Fact Sheet: What To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act The Child Care for Working Families Act would make child care more accessible and affordable, promote high-quality care options, and support child care workers.

This Admin is stripping services from children & families. @pattymurray.bsky.social & @bobbyscott.house.gov know how critical it is to invest in our kids + families - that’s why they just reintro’ed the Child Care for Working Families Act.
www.americanprogress.org/article/fact...

Fact Sheet: What To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act The Child Care for Working Families Act would make child care more accessible and affordable, promote high-quality care options, and support child care workers.

The Child Care for Working Families Act will: 
✔️Lower costs of care for families 
✔️Increase access to care by expanding supply
✔️Ensure child care workers are paid a living wage 

Read more from on this bold proposed legislation: www.americanprogress.org/article/fact...

Join me today for a virtual event with students from the class of 2025 to hear from them what is needed to improve public education!

Register here to get the link: www.americanprogress.org/events/class...

About Extreme Heat, We Need to Prioritize Children – DC Journal - InsideSources As another record-breaking hot summer looms, we need to focus on protecting the people who will be most vulnerable to extreme temperatures, including

When we talk about the dangers of extreme heat, we need to talk about infants. As summer kicks off, policymakers must take steps to make sure families have safe places to escape the heat.

More from @haileygibbs.bsky.social: dcjournal.com/about-extrem...