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The latest watchdog report dropped a political bomb in education: the North American Values Institute (NAVI) says the two biggest teachers unions funneled roughly $900 million into political activity, lobbying and outside groups over the 2016–2025 period. This story isn’t about classroom supplies or raises. It’s about where union money really goes — and why rank-and-file teachers and parents should care.
What the watchdog found
NAVI’s analysis of federal LM-2 and IRS filings says the National Education Association (NEA) spent about $547 million and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) about $383 million on political activity and related transfers across those years. The report highlights big payments to intermediary groups, NEA’s own super PAC (the NEA Advocacy Fund), and even international federations like Education International. NAVI also points to a union webinar where NEA National Education Campaign Manager Kyle Serrette reportedly called the work “movement building” and showed activities linking classroom lessons to strike tactics and other political ideas.
How the money flowed — and why members are left guessing
According to NAVI, unions routed cash through state funds, political committees and outside intermediaries that make tracing final recipients hard. The NEA reportedly even approved a delegate vote to raise dues by $10 for a media and ballot effort meant to create an ongoing fund. With NEA President Becky Pringle and AFT President Randi Weingarten at the helm, that kind of spending raises a simple question: did members sign up to fund bargaining for pay and classroom safety, or a nationwide political machine?
Method, limits and the sane next steps
The NAVI totals come from aggregating LM-2 and Form 990 line items. That is a valid watchdog method, but it depends on how items were categorized in the filings. Unions can and do label transfers differently across reports, which can change the headline totals. That caveat matters — and so does plain accountability. NAVI’s claim is serious. The unions should release their accounting detail, explain classifications, and answer why millions went toward redistricting fights and ballot measures that are not strictly classroom issues.
At the end of the day, teachers and taxpayers deserve clarity. If unions want to spend millions on politics, say so openly and give members a vote that is truly informed. If the money was for education work, show the receipts. Until then, the NAVI report is a reminder that the people paying dues should not be left to play political bank without a statement of purpose. Transparency isn’t a partisan ask — it’s basic decency. Unions that talk about “movement building” ought to build a movement for openness first.
