Weingarten's Endorsement of Walz Raises Concerns for School Choice Advocates

American Federation of Teachers boss Randi Weingarten's enthusiastic support for Tim Walz, Kamala Harris's running mate, has alarmed school choice advocates, who fear it may signal a return to the prolonged school closures that devastated students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every time Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), opens her mouth, it's like a donation to the school choice movement, according to Fox News contributor Ben Domenech. Weingarten's recent endorsement of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kamala Harris's running mate, has parents and children in the public education system sounding the alarm.

Critics worry that Harris's choice of Walz, a former teachers' union member who opposes school choice, sends a clear message about the Biden-Harris administration's priorities. They fear that the return of a Democratic White House could mean a return to the devastating school closures that ravaged students' mental health, development, and future earning potential.

Weingarten's Endorsement of Walz Raises Concerns for School Choice Advocates

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers' unions pushed hard to keep schools closed, echoing the sentiments of Weingarten, who described efforts to reopen schools as "reckless, callous, cruel." The AFT and NEA worked closely with Dr. Anthony Fauci and the CDC to shape national guidelines, and Weingarten has signaled the potential for future school lockdowns.

The power of teachers' unions in state and local politics is undeniable. The NEA has donated over $21.7 million to Democratic candidates and liberal groups in the 2024 election cycle, while the AFT has donated over $3.8 million. Studies have shown that partisan politics and teachers' union strength have a significant influence on school reopening decisions, with no evidence suggesting a correlation between COVID-19 risk and school closures.

Weingarten's Endorsement of Walz Raises Concerns for School Choice Advocates

The impact of school closures has been devastating. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 70% of U.S. public schools have reported an increase in students seeking mental health services since the start of the pandemic. The American Enterprise Institute found that nearly 1.3 million students have left public schools since the pandemic began.

The Programme for International Student Assessment reported that test scores for 15-year-olds in the U.S. have declined 13 points compared to 2018. The school closures could also cost this generation of students $21 trillion in earnings over their lifetimes.

Weingarten's Endorsement of Walz Raises Concerns for School Choice Advocates

Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris-Walz campaign for their official position on school choice and the closures, but did not receive a response. The NEA also declined to comment.

As the Biden administration takes office, parents and educators are watching closely to see if the school closures of the past become a thing of the past. The endorsement of Walz by the AFT has raised concerns that the fight for school choice and parental rights will only intensify in the coming years.

Weingarten's Endorsement of Walz Raises Concerns for School Choice Advocates