The February 1985 Phyllis Schlafly Report exposed the anti-parent, anti-child, and anti-American agenda of the National Education Association. The stated vision of the NEA is “a great public school for every student.” This vision is quite ominous, not only due to the obvious lack of reference to any non-public schooling option, but it doesn’t really reflect the highly politicized NEA. Phyllis wasn’t fooled by flowery language and we shouldn’t be either. While the NEA claims non-partisanship, it has endorsed every Democrat presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter, and the overwhelming majority of their campaign donations have also gone to Democrats.
However, Phyllis uncovered even more egregious views held by this lobbying machine masquerading as an education association. The NEA Legislative Program from 1984-1985 listed a litany of outrageous positions. Phyllis highlighted some of the worst, including positions favoring a nuclear freeze, the ERA, forcing women into the draft, and unlimited access to contraceptives for people of all ages. We simply must ask, what possible link is there between a nuclear freeze and “a great public school for every student?” In truth, the NEA is little more than a cog in the machine of liberal advocacy.
When this 1985 Report was published, a major fight was brewing over the Hatch Amendment, a 1978 statute forbidding schools from doing many controversial things in the classroom without parental consent. After many shocking testimonies of parents and students, the Department of Education released new rules making it easier for parents to assert their rights. In 1994, the scope of the Hatch Amendment was expanded again by the Grassley Amendment. Obviously, the NEA opposed these amendments every step of the way.
Parents need to remember these important educational rights. Don’t be intimidated by teachers or administrators who claim to know best for your children over you. While many educators only want the best for their students, they do not have ultimate responsibility. Parents are uniquely qualified to safeguard the well-being and education of their child. You have a vested interest in their future that no teacher will ever have. The right to make decisions regarding your child’s education comes with the responsibility to hold schools accountable.
