The growing bond between America’s top socialist group and teachers’ unions.

The Rise of Socialist Influence in Teachers’ Unions

Five years ago, the Democratic Socialists of America declared that infiltrating teachers’ unions would be a prime way for socialists to boost the far-left movement’s power and numbers. The “strategic” decision appears to be paying off, with unions across the country adopting some of the radical political group’s top initiatives.

The Strategic Approach

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the nation’s largest socialist organization, made a bold move in 2018 when they published a pamphlet titled “Why Socialists Should Become Teachers.” In this pamphlet, they argued that the education industry holds immense political, economic, and social potential for socialists. They saw infiltrating teachers’ unions as a strategic route to challenge and dismantle the capitalist economy.

The DSA’s Influence

The DSA’s efforts to infiltrate teachers’ unions have not gone unnoticed. They have successfully worked with unions across the country to push left-wing initiatives that go beyond education. These initiatives include advocating for reparations for black students, promoting affordable housing developments on school property, and electing DSA members to lead major unions in Los Angeles and Boston. The DSA’s national youth branch, the Young Democratic Socialists of America, even held its national conference at the Chicago Teachers Union headquarters.

Explosive Growth and Financial Success

The DSA’s influence has grown exponentially in recent years. Their membership has skyrocketed from 8,000 members in 2016 to over 92,000 members today. Alongside this growth, their financial resources have also increased significantly, with funds reaching nearly $6.9 million in 2021.

Impact on Education

Teachers’ unions that have aligned themselves with the DSA have been pushing for various socialist policies unrelated to education. These include demands for reparations, defunding the police, implementing climate literacy through a racial justice lens, and addressing structural racism. Strikes and protests organized by teachers have become a platform for advancing the DSA’s agenda.

Swaying School Boards and Negotiations

The DSA’s influence extends to school board elections, where socialist candidates have been successful in winning seats. This gives the DSA leverage in teacher contract negotiations and allows them to further promote their policies within school districts. The DSA’s impact on public school governance is evident in instances where strikes for a “Green New Deal” coincided with policy pushes by DSA-affiliated board members.

A Predictable Trend

While the DSA’s efforts may have gone largely unnoticed by the general public, those closely following public education recognize the playbook being used. Critics argue that the DSA is leveraging the education system to advance their unpopular agenda, even as students struggle with basic skills like reading and writing.

Final Thoughts

The DSA’s strategic alliance with teachers’ unions has proven to be a successful tactic in advancing their socialist agenda. As the DSA continues to gain influence and expand its reach, the impact on education and society as a whole remains to be seen.

“If you want to bring down a republic, you have to capture the schools first,” said Rebecca Friedrichs, a longtime Southern California teacher and union critic. “Groups like the DSA have been the leaders of that.”

Neither the DSA nor any of the various unions mentioned responded to requests for comment.