Posts tagged literacy
Op-ed: The case against teachers’ unions, and for school choice
September 23, 2026 // The latest evidence came last week from, ironically, the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), a center-left think tank. Their study found that Democrat-run states with school systems represented by strong teachers’ unions have lower student literacy levels. Conversely, Republican-majority states with weak teacher union representation, were among the states with the highest literacy rates. They include Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Indiana. The study was conducted by Rachel Canter, PPI's Director of Education Policy, who spent nearly two decades in Mississippi, whose students historically scored among America's lowest literacy rates.
Powerful teachers’ unions share striking link with states struggling to teach kids to read
September 19, 2026 // Eight of the ten states to score among the worst in the Progressive Policy Institute’s (PPI) assessment of early-literacy policies were home to powerful teachers' unions. Among the top 60% of states in terms of early-literacy policy scores, only four had strong teachers' unions. Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Indiana, all Republican leaning states with weak unions, were among the states with the best literacy outcomes. Maine, New York, Illinois, Hawaii, Washington and Rhode Island, blue states, were among the worst.
Blue states with strong teachers’ unions have lower student literacy levels: study shows
September 17, 2026 // And Canter’s study found one overwhelming and shocking throughline — the stronger the state’s teachers’ union the worse its student literacy scores were, results which did not exclusively follow party lines but strongly trended that way and often to the detriment of Democrats. “Democrats, however, don’t often ask me how to replicate Mississippi’s success,” Canter said. “They ask if it’s possible at all, given the power of teachers’ unions in their home states.” One reason for the disparity, Canter argued, is that states where teacher unions have a strong grip are slower to enact better programs.
Massachusetts Chooses Literacy Over Union Politics
July 6, 2026 // For years, the measure faced strong opposition from unions, particularly the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), which argued that it would infringe on teacher autonomy. The state’s teachers’ unions are among the most politically powerful in the country. While union membership has declined in many states, available public figures show a stable union presence in Massachusetts. But even that power couldn’t outweigh the pressing need for reading reform. Massachusetts students have traditionally been among the top scorers on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, even as national scores have declined. But the state’s lead has been driven by wealthy students, while poorer students have seen major declines, barely edging out their peers in other states. Taking demographics into account, Massachusetts has fallen behind underdogs like Louisiana and Mississippi, whose disadvantaged students have seen comparatively greater improvements. Such results look especially bad for a state that touts its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
MEA makes unsupported claims about school funding, student performance
April 22, 2026 // But Michigan is one of many states where higher spending has not translated into better academic outcomes. “State spending on K-12 schools has grown nearly 35% over the past decade,” said Molly Macek, education policy director at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Yet student achievement in reading and math has declined over the same period, she said. The way districts spend taxpayer dollars is more important than total funding, Macek added.
Teachers earn whopping pay raise as under-fire LAUSD folds to avert strike
April 13, 2026 // The pay hike comes even as the district’s roughly 390,000 students perform below both state and federal literacy averages. The agreement, expected to cost at least $650 million, also includes a plan to hire 450 additional support staff, including counselors, psychologists and social workers. The deal follows months of tense negotiations after the union’s contract expired last June, and is aimed at heading off a strike planned for Tuesday. But the threat of walkouts has not been fully eliminated. Service Employees International Union Local 99, which represents custodians, cafeteria workers and other service staff, has yet to reach a deal with the district.