In the past year, Washington, D.C. public charter schools have experienced a five percent enrollment increase, rising to nearly 81,000 students this school year alone. They now comprise 41% of all public school students in the District of Columbia.    Continue Reading...

This week, AAE had the pleasure of attending a Thomas B. Fordham Institute event entitled, "After Chicago – the Future of Teacher Unions." The event consisted of a debate over how the education reform community should address the role of teacher unions in order to prevent another high-profile teacher strike.    Continue Reading...

It should come as no surprise to educators that the National Education Association (NEA) has become the biggest contributor to partisan politics in the country. Year after year, the NEA spends millions on partisan causes and elections at the federal, state, and local levels, and takes liberal policy positions on issues ranging from immigration to gay marriage. Every summer, the NEA uses their July convention to pass a series of controversial resolutions aimed at solidifying their political power. While the issues are diverse, many have nothing to do with education or helping students in the classroom.   Continue Reading...

While most Americans were enjoying a festive Independence Day last week, the National Education Association was holding their annual conference in Washington, D.C. Beaten down after another solid year of negative press, declining membership, and legislative and legal battles, the NEA convention took on a somber and partisan tone in 2012.   Continue Reading...

With education and labor issues being hotly debated across the country and the rise of "super" Political Action Committees (PACs), insiders have predicted that 2012 election spending will reach record levels. Beaten down after over two solid years of negative press, declining membership, and legislative and legal battles, the National Education Association is seeking to come back with a vengeance in 2012. The nation's largest union is currently being tracked as the 4th largest national super PAC contributor.   Continue Reading...

In 2011, Wisconsin's fight over collective bargaining was the number one domestic story. From protests at the capitol to high-profile lawsuits, the battle to close budget shortfalls and curb union power is still gaining headlines in the state. In the latest development, WEA Trust, the health care insurer that has covered as many as two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts under strict collective bargaining agreements, has seen its revenue decline almost $70 million after a new law gave school districts the freedom to switch health care insurers to save funds.   Continue Reading...

Since AAE's founding in 1994, our association and state partners have been met with harsh opposition from both the NEA and its state affiliates. False claims about AAE's motives and benefits, coupled with districts shutting out non-union groups in favor of the union have been commonplace. AAE members have even been harassed and blackballed for supporting the non-union option. In states such as Colorado, Idaho, Kansas and Utah, non-union groups have been on the front lines of seeking equal treatment as their union counterparts.   Continue Reading...