Source: Fox News
Summary
Sen. Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, is urging Congress to reconsider the charter of the National Education Association (NEA), citing its far-left associations and financial activity. The NEA, representing three million educators, has been criticized for supporting liberal campaigns, addressing antisemitism, and funding left-wing causes. Cassidy’s report highlights the NEA’s collaboration with the Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools, which have published materials justifying the Black Panther Party and promoting LGBTQ+ content in schools. The report also notes the NEA’s financial contributions to liberal organizations and political action committees.
Our Reading
As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
Sen. Cassidy presents a report with claims about the NEA’s alliances and spending.
The NEA is accused of pushing an agenda in schools and using dues for political causes.
Collaborations with groups like Rethinking Schools and Zinn Education Project are highlighted.
It feels like a familiar script, where criticism of unions often aligns with political messaging.
Author: Evan Null
Key Players and Organizations
Sen. Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, is leading the push to reconsider the NEA’s charter. The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest teachers’ union in the country, representing three million educators. The Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools are educational nonprofits that have collaborated with the NEA. The Black Panther Party, a left-wing militant organization, is cited as an example of the groups’ ideological alignment.
Allegations and Accusations
The report claims the NEA has been involved in promoting a “dangerous, anti-American agenda” in schools, including materials that justify the actions of the Black Panther Party. It also criticizes the NEA for allegedly failing to address antisemitism within its ranks. The union is accused of using membership dues to support left-wing causes and political organizations, including the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the Tides Foundation.
Financial and Political Activity
The report highlights the NEA’s financial contributions to liberal causes and political action committees. It also notes that some political organizations funded by the NEA later provided jobs to members of the union’s leadership. The NEA’s own PAC is said to support Democratic candidates almost exclusively. The report questions whether these expenditures align with the union’s original mission.
Collaborations and Curriculum
The NEA has worked closely with the Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools, giving them space at conferences and collaborating on curriculum development. Rethinking Schools has published lesson plans that include role-playing as “queer liberation” activists and incorporating LGBTQ+ material into elementary education. The NEA has also promoted these lesson plans and incorporated them into educator handbooks.
Response and Context
The NEA, AFT, Rethinking Schools, and the Zinn Education Project did not respond to requests for comment. The scrutiny comes as the NEA transitions to new leadership, with Princess R. Moss beginning a three-year term as president. The report also criticizes the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) for similar reasons, including its participation in protests and advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues.
