PRESS RELEASE

July 2, 2004

EFF publishes magazine exposing NEA

OLYMPIA, WA – The Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) published a magazine today titled “Barrier to Learning: How the National Education Association prevents students and teachers from achieving academic and professional excellence.” The magazine shows what EFF’s extensive investigations have uncovered about the NEA’s tactics and goals, and analyzes the union’s impact on teachers and students.

The release of the magazine coincides with the NEA’s annual convention, which starts today in Washington, D.C. and continues through July 7.

EFF, a non-profit public policy research organization based in Washington state, began investigating the NEA in 1996 at the request of teachers. Since then, Foundation staff have personally reviewed more than 60,000 internal teacher union documents, uncovering facts that convinced Washington’s Democrat attorney general to sue the union three times for illegal political activity. Those cases have resulted in fines and penalties of more than $1.3 million.

“Are the union’s goals in the best interest of teachers and students?” asks the magazine. “The answer, unfortunately, is no.”

The magazine includes quotes submitted by more than a dozen public school teachers in Washington, and covers the NEA’s rise to political power; aggressive efforts to conceal information from members; blatant disregard for teachers; controversial social agenda; and desperate pursuit of an “extreme makeover” to stem a rising tide of public disapproval.

Barrier to Learning is available online at:
http://www.effwa.org/NEA-Magazine.pdf

Contact: Marsha Richards | Education Reform Director | 360.956.3482

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org