Thousands of educators who are part of the nation鈥檚 largest teachers鈥� union will flock to Philadelphia over the Fourth of July holiday to vote on pressing education issues, amid a politicized focus on public schools as the country gears up for an election year.
As the National 91制片厂视频 Association brings together more than 6,000 delegates, who represent the union鈥檚 approximately 3 million members, for its annual representative assembly, leadership plans to 鈥渞amp up鈥� the work for endorsed candidates this summer, from the school board level all the way up to the presidency, said Becky Pringle, the president of the NEA.
鈥淲e understand the important role that educators play in electing friends of public education,鈥� she said in a phone interview ahead of the conference, which will run July 4 to 7.
The NEA voted to endorse President Joe Biden for re-election last year by secret ballot; about 84 percent of the delegates voted yes. Their endorsement allows the union to contribute funds, and mobilize on-the-ground campaigning efforts.
Last year, Biden and first lady Jill Biden appeared virtually to speak to the union. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of 91制片厂视频 Miguel Cardona addressed the union in person. Officials for the NEA did not say whether the administration had plans to attend this year.
But the work continues up and down the ballot, Pringle said.
Union leaders are preparing educators to tell stories to their communities about their students and what they need and 鈥渨hy we need to reelect Joe Biden and [Vice President] Kamala Harris, why we need to have a Senate and a House that understands the importance of voting rights in this country, understands the importance of women鈥檚 rights, of LGBTQ+ rights, that particularly embraces the poetry of our Constitution,鈥� she said.
The election is just one sliver of what delegates will be weighing during the four-day conference. They will also vote on where to direct the union鈥檚 money and attention, passing鈥攁nd voting down鈥攎easures that set the NEA鈥檚 priorities for the next school year.
Top of mind will be artificial intelligence. A task force, assembled last year during the previous representative assembly, will give its recommendations on AI use in the classroom to the NEA鈥檚 top decision-making body for the delegates to vote on.
The rapid access to AI and its impact on education鈥攆rom data privacy concerns, to cheating possibilities, to simplifying daily tasks for educators鈥攈as created a gap between the teachers who use it, and those who refuse.
Many teachers have reported receiving slim guidance from school leadership about how to use the technology, with some embracing it and considering it a 鈥済ame changer鈥� when it comes to administrative work, and others more skeptical of its place in schools.
Pringle said at last year鈥檚 gathering in Florida鈥攁nd in her work across the country鈥攕he heard numerous delegates bringing forward issues around AI. She thought it was important for members 鈥渢o really dig into this.鈥�
The task force convened throughout the year and met with experts. They鈥檒l bring a policy statement and recommendations to the delegates in Philadelphia, with the goal of keeping educators at the center while also addressing inequities, she said.
NEA delegates to address wide range of issues beyond AI
Beyond AI, educators will debate a number of other issues during the representative assembly. A group of 50 or more delegates can introduce new business items that, if passed, direct the NEA to do something for a year. Delegates typically consider dozens of these measures each year.
Last year, delegates passed such a measure to address 鈥渢he prevalence of discrimination and violence targeted鈥� at those in the LGBTQ+ community, which includes mobilizing against legislative attacks, providing professional development on LGBTQ+ issues for educators, and strengthening contract protections for LGBTQ+ educators.
They set aside more than $580,000 for that work鈥攑art of $1.2 million delegates spent on new business during last year鈥檚 representative assembly in Florida.
The continued politicization of education through state legislative measures targeting books and curriculum will likely be a continued theme this year.
This year鈥檚 representative assembly could also see discussions of student and educator well-being and discipline, especially as schools continue to grapple with students鈥� mental health needs, Pringle said. Cellphones in schools, which are being banned more and more, could also arise as a debate topic.
Private school choice vouchers鈥攚here students are able to use public funds to attend private schools鈥攎ay also surface; that conversation will come at a time when Pennsylvania鈥檚 politically divided legislature is debating such a measure that attracted celebrity attention earlier this month.
鈥淲e will continue our fight against any efforts to pass vouchers,鈥� Pringle said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had great success in beating them back, but they keep coming back. We will continue to fight them.鈥�
The Israel-Hamas war, which has prompted campus protests and walkouts, has also created turbulence in K-12 education with educators facing tough decisions on how to handle it in the classroom, and may factor into discussions.
Delegates will also vote on the NEA鈥檚 strategic plan and budget, which allocates member dues toward advancing the union鈥檚 priorities and operations.
鈥淚t is my goal to have these almost 7,000 delegates who come together to leave inspired, motivated, ready to take action,鈥� Pringle said. 鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 not just the four days we鈥檙e there. It鈥檚 all they do after.鈥�
