Teachers unions push politics as test scores drop Nationwide, only 31% of fourth graders can read proficiently, with achievement gaps widening and student performance declining. Despite this crisis, powerful teachers unions are heavily involved in political activism and ideological pursuits, diverting attention from the core issue of literacy. This pattern is evident from local union actions to national advocacy, with some unions even opposing legislation aimed at improving reading instruction based on scientific methods.

• Only 31% of fourth graders in America are reading proficiently, and achievement gaps are widening.
• Student reading scores have been declining since around 2013, with the pandemic accelerating the crisis.
• Teachers unions are criticized for focusing on political activism, protests, and ideological causes instead of literacy.
• Examples include the Chicago Teachers Union organizing student protests and the American Federation of Teachers considering a resolution with disputed geopolitical claims.
• Some unions actively oppose ‘science of reading’ legislation, a proven strategy for improving literacy.
• Teacher preparation programs often fail to adequately cover the core components of reading instruction.
• Grade inflation is masking academic failures, with students passing with credentials that don’t reflect their knowledge.
• A new coalition is forming to advocate for keeping personal political biases out of the classroom.