News from AFT Teachers Archive

Americans need relief, not war

Working-class Americans need a tax cut now, AFT President Randi Weingarten writes in her latest column. Americans are paying nearly 60 cents a gallon more to fill up their gas tanks following President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, a war seemingly of choice, not necessity. What is of necessity is addressing the economic stress already reverberating across America. The AFT recently surveyed our members—educators, healthcare professionals and public employees—about how they are coping with these rising costs. Read about what we found and how we’re proposing to deal with the affordability crisis.

No Kings: National day of action

Across the country, communities are preparing to come together for the next No Kings day of action on Saturday, March 28. This nationwide mobilization is an opportunity to stand up for our communities and make clear that in America, power belongs to the people—not to any leader acting above the law. AFT members play a critical role in making this day a success. Whether you’re brand-new or a seasoned activist, now is the time to step up, connect with others and help make March 28 a powerful nationwide show of people power. Click here to find an event near you. 

Bargaining for the future: How St. Paul educators are keeping humans in control of AI

St. Paul educators are helping define what it means to keep AI in its proper place: as a tool, not a substitute for teachers. When district leaders could not rule out future job cuts tied to artificial intelligence, the union responded by bargaining for contract language that keeps human judgment, relationships and accountability at the center of the classroom. The result is one of the nation’s first K-12 contracts with explicit AI safeguards.

New report: States have diverted nearly $600 billion from public schools since 2016

A new Adequacy and Fairness of State School Finance Systems report finds that states have effectively pulled nearly $600 billion out of K-12 public education between 2016 and 2023, with 42 states now devoting a smaller share of their economies to schools than they did two decades ago. The analysis also highlights deep inequities in funding—Black students are three times more likely than white students to attend chronically underfunded districts. The report includes national findings and state-by-state profiles that leaders and affiliates can use to highlight the impact of disinvestment and advocate for stronger, fairer school funding. Share the report and state profiles with your members as a resource for advocacy and conversations about investing in public schools.

Join AFT President Weingarten at the 2026 Share My Lesson Virtual Conference

Kick off the 2026 Share My Lesson Virtual Conference on Tuesday, March 24, with opening remarks from AFT President Randi Weingarten on the state of public education. The four-day online conference (March 23-26) features 30-plus free, for-credit webinars for preK-12 educators, paraprofessionals and school staff. Additional keynote speakers include Facing History & Ourselves with Dr. Carol Anderson and the AI Educator Brain team with Rebecca Winthrop of the Brookings Institution. Encourage your members to explore the sessions and register today.

Rethinking Mandatory Reporting: How Educators Can Support Families Before Crisis

The AFT is honored to host Miesha Parker for a webinar: “From Mandatory Reporting to Mandated Support: Understanding Educator Power to Transform Family Crisis Response.” Join us on Tuesday, March 24, from 3 to 4 p.m. EDT, for this free, for-credit professional learning. Parker is a parent who navigated family separation through the child welfare system. The founder of Stand With Me Advocacy, Parker will discuss five ways educators hold power as mandatory reporters and share a framework for how they can use their power to support families before a crisis escalates.