A quiet horror unfolded for one former teacher decades ago, triggered by a stack of resolutions from a national educators’ convention. What she discovered wasn’t a focus on reading, writing, or arithmetic, but a disturbing shift towards something else entirely – a deliberate reshaping of what and how children learn.
The alarm bells first rang in the 1990s. Examining the National Education Association’s (NEA) official stances, she found herself deeply troubled, realizing the organization’s priorities had drifted far from core educational principles. This initial shock ultimately led her to make a profound personal decision: to educate her own children at home.
The core issue, as she sees it, isn’t simply about curriculum, but a fundamental betrayal of trust. Instead of prioritizing literacy, mathematical understanding, historical knowledge, civic responsibility, and scientific inquiry – the foundations parents expect – the NEA, she argues, has embraced divisive concepts and agendas that actively exclude parental involvement.
This perceived overreach extends beyond the classroom. The NEA, according to her observations, has engaged in political activism seemingly unrelated to education, including advocating for the statehood of the District of Columbia and even calling for boycotts against businesses that didn’t align with their ideological goals.
The concern isn’t merely historical; it’s a present danger. She believes the NEA’s current trajectory represents “immeasurable damage” to the nation, diverting resources and attention from the essential task of preparing the next generation. The focus, she insists, should be on equipping children with the tools they need to succeed, not indoctrinating them with a particular worldview.
Legislation has been proposed to address these concerns, aiming to send a clear signal to lawmakers and the public. The intent is to demonstrate a growing resistance to what is perceived as a dangerous departure from the core mission of education – fostering informed, capable, and engaged citizens.
The NEA was contacted for a response, but offered no immediate comment on these allegations. The debate, however, continues to intensify, fueled by a growing sense that the very purpose of education is at stake.
