WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Ginny Gentles, director of the Education Freedom Center at Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) issued a statement prior to the start of the National Education Association’s Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly on Thursday, July 4.
“The National Education Association’s (NEA) enormous political war chest and radical agenda directly impact the culture, performance, and outcomes of our nation’s public schools. As delegates representing the teachers union’s three million members gather in Philadelphia this week, American parents and policymakers should pay close attention,” said Gentles, a long-time school choice advocate and former state and federal education policy leader.
Gentles added, “The nation’s largest teachers union once again will ignore the vital education issues. Instead, union leaders will rev up the NEA’s powerful political machine to champion candidates and causes that harm teachers and students.”
The National Education Association is led by President Becky Pringle, who recently said that “Joe Biden leads the most pro-public education, pro-union administration in modern history.”
Gentles highlights that the NEA is funding and electing union-endorsed candidates and championing a radical agenda. Furthermore, Gentles notes that while the NEA is shrinking, the union still collected $379 million in member dues from its three million members in 2023. The NEA combines the dues with a massive investment income to fund its powerful political machine.
During this week’s convention, Pringle plans to “ramp up” work for union-endorsed candidates and “friends” of the union’s agenda, according to media reports.
IWF’S Education Freedom Center issues a weekly Teachers Union Report Card, which you can read HERE.
The American Federation of Teachers, led by political operative Randi Weingarten, will host its conference later this month in Houston, Texas.