In the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the nation’s leading teacher unions, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have reaffirmed their commitment to safeguard public education and the rights of all students.
The election outcome, a victory for Donald Trump, has reignited concerns over the future of equitable education and democratic values in the U.S., prompting a swift response from both unions, which represent millions of educators across the country.
NEA President Becky Pringle expressed the union’s determination to press forward, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.: “The road to freedom is a difficult, hard road.” Pringle reaffirmed and urged members to “organize because our students need us advocating for them now more than ever.” Emphasizing the union’s commitment to equity, Pringle stated that the NEA would continue fighting for high-quality, safe, and welcoming public schools for every student, including those from marginalized communities. “Unions exist for moments like this,” she concluded, calling on members to draw inspiration from the civil rights movement to defend the rights of students and oppose discriminatory policies.
AFT President Randi Weingarten underscored the critical role that public education and labor unions play in American society. While acknowledging the nation’s political divisions, Weingarten pledged to continue the AFT’s efforts to create opportunities for all children and to support public employees, educators, and healthcare workers in their fight for equity and social justice. “Our guiding principle will be to continue to do the work to improve people’s lives: to fight for our children’s future and the promise of America,” she stated.
Both NEA and AFT have vowed to resist policies that undermine public education, including the diversion of public funds to private institutions lacking accountability.
Despite the results at the federal level, state ballot outcomes were favorable for both reproductive rights and public education, underscoring voters' support on issues important to unionists.
- On reproductive rights: Multiple states expanded protections for abortion access, including Missouri, Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, and Nevada.
- On public education: Voters demonstrated strong support for public education by broadly rejecting private school choice and voucher initiatives in states like Kentucky, Nebraska, and Colorado. Meanwhile, significant funding measures for K-12 and higher education passed in several states, including California, Utah, and Rhode Island, marking a victory for well-resourced, equitable public schools.
Global commitment to defend public education
Education International (EI), recognizes the critical challenges facing U.S. public education under the incoming presidential administration, and expresses strong solidarity with their member organizations NEA and AFT as they stand up for their members, students, and vulnerable communities. As the global voice of education workers, EI fully supports the efforts of U.S unions to create safe, inclusive schools and to advocate for fair policies and equitable access to resources for all students, regardless of background. This commitment is central to EI’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign, which calls on governments worldwide to fully fund public education systems and invest in the teaching profession to build a fairer, more sustainable future for all.