THE EMPOWERMENT ZONE

The National Education Association (NEA) recently held its first in-person annual meeting since the start of the pandemic. Rather than addressing alarming learning loss, chronic absenteeism, and classroom safety, the union discussed and voted on business items and resolutions that prioritized progressive activism. The union’s misplaced priorities aren’t new. In 2019, the nation’s largest teachers union’s representative assembly voted down a proposal to “re-dedicate itself to the pursuit of increased student learning in every public school in America.” 

STUDENTS OVER SYSTEMS PODCAST

THE WHITEBOARD

EMPOWERED PARENTS

EXPOSING THE EDUCATION BLOB

FEATURED IN

ESCAPING YOUR GOV'T ASSIGNED SCHOOL
Implementing Iowa’s New ESA Program

ON THE RADAR

Many teachers feel like they have no other choice but to join a teachers union, either the National Education Association (NEA) or the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The U.S. Supreme Court ruled five years ago, however, that public employees cannot be required to financially support a labor union against their will (Janus v. AFSCME, 2018). Thankfully, there are other organizations that provide teachers with liability insurance and other benefits – often at a cost much lower than union dues. Check out the Freedom Foundation’s Opt Out Today tool that provides an interactive state map and the opt-out process for each local union.

In addition, the Mackinac Center’s union freedom initiative entitled “My Pay, My Say” helps teachers opt out of paying for union activities they do not support.