Is the End of the American Federation of Teachers in Sight? 

A recent poll found that a clear majority of Americans favor limiting politics in the classroom. This is bad news for teachers’ unions, who often advocate against that very thing. 

Consider the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). With 1.8 million members, the AFT is one of the largest teachers’ unions in the country. It has gained prominence less for advancing classroom outcomes and more for engaging in political activism far removed from instruction. This political activism has been evident recently, as illustrated by AFT president Randi Weingarten speaking at a “No Kings” protest in Minnesota and the organization’s increasing focus on anti-ICE efforts.  

Taken together, these developments reveal a widening gap between teachers’ unions and both the public and the educators they claim to represent. Rather than focusing on classroom instruction and professional support, large unions have increasingly prioritized ideological activism, often at the expense of students, parents, and even their own members.  

Teachers’ unions should focus solely on supporting educators, students, and their families. On paper, this may be what many teachers’ unions claim to do. The mission of the AFT, for example, is to “champion fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education.” But there’s a difference between theory and practice. Realistically, the actions of larger teachers’ unions, such as the AFT, aren’t aligned with these objectives. 

Adamantly pushing political agendas—such as LGBTQ+ practices or advocating for biological boys to be able to compete in girls’ sports—in schools across the country doesn’t give students a high-quality education. Instead, it takes time away from students learning how to read or write critically and authentically.  

In addition, using member dues to lobby for left-wing causes or endorse political campaigns doesn’t benefit teachers. Staunchly opposing education choice such as education savings accounts ultimately hinders parents’ freedom to make the right decisions concerning their children’s education.  

Unions also have a track record for keeping kids out of the classroom. Oftentimes, when school strikes are encouraged by the unions, students and families are the ones who pay the price.  

The Defense of Freedom Institute has tracked the impacts of teacher union strikes since 2010 and found that there have been 858,517 employees on strike, 140 strikes in 30 states and the District of Columbia, and 672 days of lost instruction (the equivalent of nearly four school years). For families already struggling with learning loss, these disruptions are not abstract labor disputes; they are lost opportunities that cannot be recovered.  

These are just a few examples of how teachers’ unions have strayed away. This is a problem. The good news is that teachers recognize this, and they’re leaving in large swaths.  

Teachers’ unions like the AFT have seen a steady decline in membership since the landmark 2018 case Janus v. AFSCME. This case held that public-sector unions cannot mandate that non-members pay union dues, meaning teachers who choose not to join also cannot be charged dues or agency fees. 

Janus did not weaken unions by fiat; it simply gave teachers the option to opt out, revealing how many no longer felt represented. Prior to the 2018 decision, Heritage Foundation analysts wrote that “these agency fees had allowed the unions to amass a considerable war chest over the decades.”  

Thankfully, in their stead, alternative options for educators have appeared. A prominent alternative is the Teacher Freedom Alliance, which is free for teachers to join and offers liability insurance for members. This insurance protects educators from risks they may encounter in the industry.  

Since its launch a year ago, over 12,000 educators have joined the Teacher Freedom Alliance. Why? The organization’s mission to “develop free, moral, and upright American citizens” is attracting educators. Its focus on quality curricula and better instruction is free of ideological interference and emphasizes teaching the basics: reading, writing, and arithmetic.  

If teachers continue leaving these unions in large enough waves, teachers’ unions like the AFT may be forced to focus less on promoting political agendas or risk closing up shop. This is good news for students, parents, and the profession itself.  

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