The National Education Association (NEA), America’s largest teachers union, is facing increasing backlash for its shift from focusing on education to becoming a hub for political activism, especially highlighted during its convention in Portland, Oregon. The annual meeting has sparked debates about the union’s commitment to student learning, parent rights, and its political alignment with Democratic Party’s far-left wing.
At the convention, resolutions and statements emphasized political advocacy, including a call to use the term ‘fascism’ in materials against former President Donald Trump, despite the union’s own misspelling of the term. The NEA also criticized efforts to abolish the U.S. Department of Education, labeling them racist and anti-democratic, despite the department’s long-standing issues with low-income and minority students. Such resolutions have led to a significant number of families moving away from union-controlled public schools, preferring alternative educational options that prioritize academic success over political indoctrination.
The NEA’s agenda has also extended to immigration policy, where it advocates for the rights of immigrant children and opposes policies that it sees as undermining birthright citizenship. Additionally, the union has shown support for students’ rights to dissent and organize against Trump’s policies, further cementing its role as a political activist group. However, this has raised significant concerns about the NEA’s focus on political causes rather than addressing educational shortcomings or respecting parental choices in curriculum content.
The NEA’s political contributions are largely aligned with Democratic Party interests, leading to accusations of it acting as a mouthpiece for the party. The union’s rejection of a resolution to prioritize student learning in 2019 underscores its growing prioritization of political activism over educational excellence. This has contributed to a noticeable trend of families opting for charter schools, private schools, or homeschooling, seeking environments that prioritize academic growth over ideological indoctrination.
With its focus shifting from education to political activism, the NEA risks losing public trust and credibility. Critics argue that the union’s influence should be re-evaluated, particularly due to its unique status as a union with a federal charter. Parents continue to seek educational alternatives, driven by a desire for learning-focused environments that do not align with the NEA’s political agenda.