Teacher Tea
What Changes Can Schools Expect After the 2024 Election?
What do the 2024 election results mean for education in the United States?
Amanda Litvinov, writing for NEA Today, explains that the results of the 2024 election were mixed for public education advocates. While many pro-public education candidates lost their races, voters in several states rejected ballot measures that would have diverted funding from public schools. You can read more about her analysis in “Educators Find Meaningful Election Wins for Public Education,” linked below.
Key wins took place in several states throughout the country. Voters in Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado defeated proposals that would have created school vouchers, and Massachusetts voters passed a measure eliminating a high-stakes graduation test (MCAS). Several pro-public education candidates also won individual races, including Elissa Slotkin (MI), Ruben Gallego (AZ), John Mannion (NY), Josh Stein (NC Governor), and Maurice Green (NC Superintendent).
These results should be examined within the context of larger political changes that will be taking place following the elections. For instance, Republicans have gained control of the U.S. Senate (which means that they now control both houses of Congress), and many other pro-public education candidates lost their races.
The NEA is heavily engaged in political activism and funding. Its representatives have advised educators to stay involved, in the NEA as well as in their local unions. They are also calling on members to use the NEA's Action Center in order to contact legislators with their concerns, and consider running for office or supporting colleagues who are running.
Education policies and resources are often shaped by those in office. Changes in leadership invariably impact school budgets and curriculum standards, and influence public attitudes towards issues like standardized testing. And the election outcome may affect other policies indirectly, like those related to school safety and the availability of technology in the classroom. Engaging with election results allows teachers to advocate for their needs and the needs of their students.