Title: National Education Association (NEA) - InfluenceWatch
Headings: National Education Association (NEA)
National Education Association (NEA)
Contents
Organizational Overview
Creation
Early Issue Advocacy
Modern Advocacy
Political Activity
2016 General Election
2012 General Election
Other Political Spending
Teacher Strike Fund
Positions
School Vouchers and Charter Schools
Other Issues
Controversies
9/11 Terrorism
ACORN Donations
Overt Democratic Party Activism
Financial Information
Revenues
State Affiliate Grants
Affiliates
NEA Foundation
NEA Advocacy Fund
People
President
Vice President
Secretary-Treasurer
Executive Director
References
Directors, Employees & Supporters
Associated Organizations
Vendors
Nonprofit Information
Available Filings
Additional Filings (PDFs)

Content: [10]
In 1867, NEA successfully lobbied Congress to create the first Department of Education,
[11]
which was almost solely devoted to collecting information to help states create public school systems. [12]
In 1866, the NEA opened it’s membership to women. NEA continued to gain political victories in the 20 th century as it began to promote state pension plans in 1923. By 1950, every state had a pension plan. [13]
By the mid 20 th century, NEA was advocating for more controversial policies, such as advocating for the Bilingual Education Act, providing federal funding for the development and implementation of bilingual education programs, in 1968. [14]
Over the intervening century from founding to 1957, NEA grew from its original 43 to 700,000 members. [15]
A mere two years after its Centennial, NEA won one of its largest victories: Wisconsin became the first state to allow collective bargaining for public-sector unions. [16]
This controversial practice allows public-employee unions to negotiate with the very people they support for election to office, tilting the balance of power in negotiations greatly in the favor of unions. Modern Advocacy
More recently, NEA was one of the primary advocates against the appointment of education reformer Betsy DeVos as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Education, urging senators to vote against the school choice advocate because she was “more than unqualified” and “an actual danger to students,” according to NEA president Lily Eskelen Garcia.