Last month, AAE joined an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in support of the petition for certiorari in the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association as part of a continuing effort to give individual teachers a professional voice outside the union.

This case is set to challenge the compulsory union dues laws in California and across the nation.

The primary purpose of this amicus brief is to apprise the Supreme Court justices of the persistent disagreements between many teachers and their union over fundamental issues of educational policy. This is important because it helps the Justices understand that these disagreements are not petty workplace disputes, but are fundamental to the mission of public education.  As such they are inherently political disputes that deserve First Amendment protection.

Signing on with us as leaders of this growing movement are former California state officials who have had long experience with education reform battles, and various education reformers who can explain what these disputes are about.

Teachers unions have taken great delight in exercising an unfair advantage to block much needed education reform over the years, and a bipartisan coalition of individuals from both major parties have come to understand that this advantage is partly the result of millions of dollars of compulsory dues they receive each year as a result of past Supreme Court decisions.

Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association could fundamentally alter the relationship between union officials and teachers in a way that might significantly improve the chances for serious education reform. Teachers deserve to make informed choices!

Click here to read the latest about Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association.