Defending Education, previously known as Parents Defending Education (PDE), is a national grassroots nonprofit organization founded in 2021 that works to combat what it describes as political indoctrination in K-12 schools. The organization engages in investigative reporting, public records requests, litigation, and policy advocacy to promote parental rights, transparency, and what it characterizes as non-political education in public schools.
Parental rights in education, opposition to critical race theory and gender identity policies in K-12 schools, school transparency and curriculum disclosure requirements, free speech protections for students, education governance reform, and school choice initiatives.
Primarily funded through private donations from individuals and foundations.
Nicole Neily (Founder and President), Speech First, Independent Women’s Forum, Cato Institute, PDE Action
Non-profit organization (501(c)(3))
