The ESP Bill of Rights, backed by the National Education Association (NEA), lays out what every education support professional deserves at work. ESPs include bus drivers, custodians, paraeducators, cafeteria workers, clerical staff, maintenance, and other classified school employees—the folks who keep schools running every single day, for hourly salaries and wages.
1. Living Wages & Economic Security
No school worker should qualify for public assistance while working full time. The Bill of Rights calls for:
- Fair, livable pay
- Reliable hours (not piecemeal or seasonal poverty)
- Retirement security and benefits
2. Respect & Professional Dignity
ESPs are skilled professionals, not expendable labor.
- Recognition for experience and training
- Inclusion in school decision-making
- Protection from harassment, retaliation, and disrespect
3. Safe & Healthy Working Conditions
You can’t support students if your job puts you at risk.
- Safe buses, buildings, equipment, and staffing levels
- Proper training and PPE
- Reasonable workloads that don’t cause injury or burnout
4. Job Stability & Due Process
No one should fear losing their livelihood for speaking up.
- Just-cause protections
- Clear discipline and grievance procedures
- Protection from arbitrary layoffs and privatization
5. Professional Growth & Advancement
ESPs deserve paths forward, not dead ends.
- Paid training and continuing education
- Career ladders and certifications
- Respect for institutional knowledge
Across the country—and very much in places like Kentucky—schools face:
- Severe staffing shortages
- High turnover due to low pay and burnout
- Privatization that cuts quality and accountability
When ESPs are underpaid or pushed out, students lose stability, schools lose experience, and communities suffer.
The NEA ESP Bill of Rights isn’t radical—it’s practical.
It says:
If you’re trusted with children, buses, buildings, meals, safety, and learning environments, you deserve fairness, dignity, and a voice.