When the dust settles on 2011 legislative session, states across the country will be dealing with some of the most sweeping changes in education and labor policy in generations. For months, tough-talking governors and state legislatures have been in the process of pushing through legislation that seeks to curb union power and implement sweeping education reforms. While each state is experiencing reform on different levels, it is impossible to ignore that this year will have an impact on the entire country's education outlook for years to come.   Continue Reading...

AAE Executive Director Gary Beckner's op-ed as featured on The Tennessean website:   Continue Reading...

The union watchdog group Education Intelligence Agency released an analysis of the National Education Association’s most recent IRS documents this week, shedding light on the astronomical amount the NEA and its state affiliates collect from teachers each year.  According to tax documents, the NEA amassed more than $1.5 billion in revenue in 2008-09, more than 90 percent of it in the form of union dues from teachers.   Continue Reading...

As the 2011 legislative session continues, states across the country are proceeding with legislation that seeks to curb union power and implement sweeping education reform. While the developments in Wisconsin and Ohio have seen the most media attention, there are a total of 729 bills currently pending in 48 states dealing with unions and union power, according to a database compiled by the non-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures. While not every state is making national headlines, the enormous amount of legislation is a sign of what will undoubtedly be the largest shift in union power in generations.   Continue Reading...

New Jersey has been considered the center of the education reform world for months. Led by tough-talking Governor Chris Christie, the state has seen its recent share of national headlines. What started as a war of words between Christie and the NJEA has continued to develop into real life reform plans, even yielding commentary and visits from the Obama administration.   Continue Reading...

This has been a big week for the state of New Jersey in education, again centered on outspoken Governor Chris Christie. In an interview with ABC News that aired Wednesday, Christie said he puts blame on the unions for resisting change that he thinks will benefit students in the long run. He was both revered and attacked for calling NJEA officials "union thugs". Not only did Governor Christie again make headlines for his harsh words for the union, but a new and long awaited plan to evaluate teachers in the state.   Continue Reading...

Last week as Ohio Governor John Kasich was signing Senate Bill 5 into law, the Ohio NEA affiliate, the Ohio Education Association, was already mobilizing their efforts to repeal the measure that would end forced unionism, makes strikes illegal and close major budget shortfalls via a ballot referendum. In a current forced unionism state, the OEA already collects at least $63 million in dues per year. Apparently that figure isn't enough to advance their agenda as they are now considering extracting an additional $50 per member for the referendum campaign in November.   Continue Reading...

Listen Live to AAEApril 4- April 8, 2011

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One would assume that the National Education Association, the country's largest teachers union, would have their hands full with the labor and education battles heating up all over the country, but they are once again meddling in partisan politics with lobbying Congress in support of banks and exorbitant debit card fees.   Continue Reading...

In July 2009, the National Education Association's General Counsel, Bob Chanin delivered a shocking speech that outlined the true priorities of the NEA: money and power. The claims were met by thunderous applause by the union leadership and members in attendance and these revelations generated significant commentary throughout the blogosphere.

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This weekend in Wisconsin and state capitals all over the country, union leaders and members gathered together to protest the various bills aimed at ending forced unionism and closing budget gaps. Despite the weeks of protests, news polls are shedding light on who the American people really support in this debate.   Continue Reading...

The labor battle continues to heat up all over the country as Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio lawmakers are in various stages of passing legislation that would end compulsory unionism and close budget shortfalls. Despite huge protests, media coverage, attempted filibusters and walk-outs, progress has been made in Wisconsin over the last few hours.   Continue Reading...

This week, Utah House Bill 183 cleared several legislative hurdles after years of union push back. The House advanced a bill Wednesday that would prohibit school districts from paying teachers on leave from the classroom for union duties as well as prohibit school district money contributing to union leader salaries.   Continue Reading...

The saga continues all over the country as Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio lawmakers are all fighting to end compulsory unionism and close budget shortfalls. Despite protests, national headlines and Democratic lawmakers leaving the states in droves, experts are calling this landmark legislation that will change the face of public sector unions for years to come.   Continue Reading...

AAE Executive Director Gary Beckner op-ed as featured on the Washington Times website:   Continue Reading...

Listen Live to AAEAAE Director of Education Policy and 1993 National Teacher of the Year Tracey Bailey will be discussing Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and the showdown between public employee unions and GOP governors during several radio interviews, listen via the streaming links below:   Continue Reading...

As thousands still march in Madison, Wisconsin, the battle for public-sector forced unionism continues. Democratic state legislators have refused to return to the state for a vote and thousands of public employees continue to miss work for protests. While the battle rages on in Wisconsin, both Ohio and Indiana are experiencing similar protests over union-crippling legislation.   Continue Reading...

Schools in Wisconsin are closed, Democratic legislators left the state in protest, and tens of thousands have converged at the state house. This has been the scene for the last few days in a state where Republican Governor Scott Walker has proposed legislation to close a budget shortfall and curb collective bargaining. The protests, uproar, and fallout have gained national attention and have even warranted comment from President Obama.   Continue Reading...

A recent report by the Education Intelligence Agency sheds light on the financial disclosures of the American Federation of Teachers in the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The analysis reveals that the AFT spent $2.6 million of member dues on a wide array of left-leaning advocacy groups, charities, and big labor organizations.   Continue Reading...

Due to some recent landmark legislation, Alabama teachers are finding themselves at a crossroads with their local union, the Alabama Education Association, an affiliate of the NEA. Recently, the Alabama Legislature passed Senate Bill 2. This measure prohibits the AEA from using payroll deductions to support political activity. This legislation is a direct blow to the union machine and the perfect opportunity for Alabama teachers to evaluate their membership and consider alternatives.   Continue Reading...