As the summer season unfolded, the largest teachers’ unions in the country, NEA and AFT, utilized their gatherings to not only prepare for the upcoming school year but also to advocate for their political agenda, much to the dismay of their critics.
During the NEA’s national conference in July, a series of “new business items” were unveiled, which included urging President Joe Biden to expand the Supreme Court and grant asylum to all illegal migrants in order to “restore American democracy.” Shortly after, the AFT held its own summer gathering, where union leaders participated in training sessions focused on integrating climate change into teaching and affirming LGBTQIA+ identities in and out of the classroom. NEA President Becky Pringle, in her conference keynote speech, boldly called out politicians and pundits for their failure to address gun violence and argued that America is fundamentally inequitable.
It is worth noting that these unions’ emphasis on left-wing politics coincided with the release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress reports, which revealed distressingly low student achievement scores. Proficiency in history for eighth graders hit an all-time low, while reading and math scores for 13-year-olds plummeted to levels not seen in decades. Despite these alarming statistics, NEA and AFT leaders dedicated a significant portion of their time to discussing how to inject liberal priorities into classrooms. This decision has left advocates for parental rights deeply concerned, as it demonstrates that the top teachers’ unions are failing the nation’s children.
“We have witnessed the teachers’ unions prioritize political power and influence for the Democratic Party over advancing educational opportunities,” expressed a spokesperson for the Institute for Educational Reform to the Washington Free Beacon. “Unfortunately, it is the children who suffer the most when their education becomes the lowest priority on the agenda.”
Both the NEA and AFT declined to comment when approached for a response.
In addition to court packing and citizenship for illegal immigrants, the NEA’s July “business items” also included a call for teachers to raise awareness about the struggles faced by the Palestinian people. According to a document obtained by RealClearEducation, many educators are unaware of the existence of Palestine. Furthermore, the NEA’s policy statements, developed for its July convention, reaffirmed the union’s strong support for affirmative action in employment.
A month prior to the convention, the union released a gender identity “toolkit” that instructs teachers to avoid assuming pronouns and argues that using incorrect pronouns is unsafe for gender diverse individuals. It also emphasizes an intersectional focus on racial justice as part of the union’s commitment to practicing anti-racism.
AFT President Randi Weingarten also dedicated a significant portion of her summer to engaging in liberal political issues. In July, she called for a “general strike” in Israel following the passage of a judicial reform bill, pledging the union’s unwavering support for the bill’s critics.
When discussing the issue of learning loss in schools, Weingarten primarily focused on defending her role in prompting it. During her congressional testimony in April, she portrayed herself as a staunch advocate for school reopenings, claiming that she had been tirelessly working towards that goal since February. However, it is worth noting that Weingarten had previously criticized the push to reopen schools in 2020, labeling it as reckless, callous, and cruel. Subsequent studies have shown that remote learning had a detrimental impact on academic achievement.
“The disastrous era of school closures has taught us that teachers’ unions prioritize their own political agendas and power over the math skills and reading proficiency of America’s students,” remarked Michele Exner, the Director of Federal Affairs at Parents Defending Education, to the Free Beacon.
The NEA and AFT’s left-wing advocacy has often trickled down to their local chapters. For instance, the Portland Association of Teachers, affiliated with the NEA, has threatened to strike if their district refuses to provide subsidized housing for underprivileged families and advocate for expanded rent control, among other measures deemed to be for the common good. Similarly, the Oakland Education Association, another NEA affiliate, submitted a proposal calling for reparations for black students, an expanded environmental justice curriculum, and a significant reduction in testing. The union argued that these measures would contribute to the creation of truly joyful, safe, and racially just schools where everyone can thrive and where equity is at the forefront of decision-making.
Are the NEA and AFT justified in their argument that promoting diverse perspectives and inclusive teaching practices is necessary to address systemic inequities, or should teachers primarily focus on providing quality education and preparing students for academic success
Ent Randi Weingarten, in her own gathering, stressed the importance of addressing climate change in the classroom and advocated for comprehensive sex education, including discussions of LGBTQIA+ identities. She argued that these topics are essential to creating inclusive and safe learning environments. However, critics argue that these unions are prioritizing political ideologies over the well-being and academic success of students.
Amidst the ongoing debate surrounding critical race theory, the NEA and AFT have come under scrutiny for their role in promoting it. Some critics argue that these unions are advocating for a divisive and ideologically driven curriculum that focuses on identity politics rather than on core academic subjects. They argue that students should be taught objective historical facts and critical thinking skills, rather than being indoctrinated with a specific ideology.
In response to these criticisms, NEA and AFT leaders argue that their unions are committed to social justice and equality, and that promoting diverse perspectives and inclusive teaching practices is vital for creating equitable learning environments. They maintain that their advocacy is necessary to address the systemic inequities and discrimination faced by marginalized communities.
However, opponents of the unions argue that teachers should focus primarily on teaching academic subjects and fostering critical thinking skills, rather than advocating for specific political agendas. They argue that students should be provided with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in the workforce and in civic life, rather than being influenced by the political biases of educators.
The debate over the role of teachers’ unions in shaping educational policy and promoting political agendas is likely to continue. Proponents argue that teachers have a right and a responsibility to advocate for social change and address issues of injustice and inequality. Critics, however, maintain that the primary focus of teachers and unions should be on providing quality education and preparing students for academic success.
As the NEA and AFT continue to utilize their gatherings as platforms for advocating their political agendas, the question remains whether these unions are truly prioritizing the best interests of the students they represent.
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