Mon Jul 14 16:20:00 UTC 2025: ## U.S. Education in Crisis? Teachers Union Focuses on Politics Over Pedagogy
**[City, State] -** Amid alarming statistics showing a significant portion of American students lack fundamental reading and math skills, concerns are being raised about the priorities of the nation’s largest teachers union. Recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveals that 40% of fourth graders struggle with basic reading, and only a quarter of high school seniors demonstrate proficiency in math.
Despite these grim figures, a recent National Education Association (NEA) convention appears to have prioritized political action over discussions on improving teaching methodologies. According to one Texas delegate, attempts to engage fellow union members in conversations about effective reading and writing instruction were met with resistance. “We don’t have time for that. We’ve got to fight Trump,” the delegate quoted a fellow member as saying, highlighting a potential disconnect between the urgent need for educational reform and the union’s focus on political activism.
The NEA’s approved business items, as outlined in their published summary, further underscore this apparent emphasis on political and social issues. While the union undoubtedly plays a vital role in advocating for teachers and students, the question remains whether its current priorities adequately address the pressing academic challenges facing American youth. The lack of focus on addressing these challenges has left some wondering whether union interests are aligned with the children’s interests.
First Piper 