Teachers Unions: What Are They Hiding? This week, the National Education Association (NEA) kicked off its first in-person annual meeting and Representative Assembly (RA) since COVID-19.

Consisting of around 6,000 educator delegates, the RA is the primary legislative and policy-making body of the teachers’ union. The RA claims that, during the meeting, it will debate what it calls “the vital issues that impact American public education.”

Will business items address alarming learning loss, chronic absenteeism, and teacher and student safety? Last year they certainly didn't; instead, they prioritized ideology over the educational success of children. More of the same is expected this year.

LEARN ABOUT SUSAN

Spotlight: Grade Inflation: A Problem With Two Sides To Blame Read

HURTING NOT HELPING

Safety Concerns: Chinese Imported Canned Goods

Despite China’s continued aggressions toward the United States and its allies, trade with China actually increased last year. American consumers rely on many Chinese imports, particularly tech products, toys, video game consoles, lithium batteries, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Read More.

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Wake Up America Weekend | Ramifications of Supreme Court Rulings in Focus Watch

RealClearMarkets | CA Legislators Aim To Subsidize a Dying Industry by Harming a Thriving One Read

Washington Examiner | Rekindling the Warrior Spirit: Why Embracing Traditional Masculine Virtues Is Vital for the US Military Read

The Rod Arquette Show | The Conservative Position on Birth Control Is About Individual Responsibility Listen

DID YOU KNOW

Bidenomics Hit Families With a $5,600 Pay Cut

This week the White House is trotting out all kinds of bragging about “Bidenomics.” But the Committee to Unleash Prosperity rightly points out the truth about the wages and salaries of middle-class Americans:

"[A]s in the 1970s, when families got financially crushed, prices have risen even faster, so larger incomes buy less. Hours worked per week have also declined, pushing weekly earnings down more than hourly earnings."

The chart compares earnings for workers before and after inflation. Read More.

Trending Now: Interior Department To Cut Solar and Wind Fees by 80% Read

IN THE NETWORK

Supreme Court Ends Affirmative Action + Other Rulings

One of the most monumental Supreme Court decisions of the modern-era came last week with a ruling to end affirmative action. In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that using race as a factor in college admissions is unconstitutional.

Sunscreen

Can you identify which of the following is not true about sunscreen?

A. Sunscreen should be used—even on cloudy days—to prevent skin damage and cancer.
B. While sunscreens may help prevent sun damage and skin cancer, the chemical ingredients in sunscreens—like oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate—are dangerous and can cause other types of cancer.
C. Sunscreens do not cause vitamin D deficiency.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

Just In: Iowa Senate President Prioritizes Putting Students First Listen

CAPSULE REVIEW

Welcoming IWF's Summer 2023 Class of Visiting Fellows

As first reported by Politico Playbook earlier this week, we are excited to announce IWF's new cohort of visiting fellows. IWF’s new class features women from a variety of backgrounds, including those who have worked in health care, protested the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, uncovered pre-eminent cultural and political stories, led federal and state campaigns, and founded key grassroots and nonprofit movements.

Academic Scores Plunge Once Again: What Can Parents Do?

The latest round of test scores released by the Nation’s Report Card reveals alarming and unprecedented math and reading scores for the nation’s 13-year-olds. Union leaders and education bureaucrats will likely escape accountability for the devastating learning loss caused by their malfeasance, but there are actions parents can take to protect and educate their children.

Addressing Growing Teacher Shortages

Schools across the country are experiencing teacher shortages. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of October 2022, 18% of public schools across the United States had one teacher position unfilled, 27% had multiple teacher vacancies, and overall, 4% of public school teacher positions were vacant. The average was two positions per school.