The National Education Association (NEA) held its 2025 Representative Assembly in Portland, Oregon, from July 3 to July 6. This assembly is the highest decision-making body within NEA and includes delegates from various segments of NEA membership. The assembly serves as a platform for debating public education issues and setting policies for the coming year.
On July 5, New Business Item 39 (NBI 39) was adopted and referred to the NEA Executive Committee for further consideration. NBI 39 states: “NEA will not use, endorse, or publicize any materials from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), such as its curricular materials or its statistics. NEA will not participate in ADL programs or publicize ADL professional development offerings.”
An NEA spokesperson commented on NBI 39: “As educators, we are committed to ensuring students of every race, religion or national origin have safe and welcoming spaces to learn and grow. The National Education Association and its members are unequivocally committed to the cause of educating, organizing against and combating all forms of hate and discrimination, including antisemitism and anti-Palestinian bigotry. This is a fundamental principle we will never walk away from.”
The spokesperson added that “NEA believes in hard and honest conversations that nurture growth and understanding.” They emphasized the importance of modeling respectful dialogue in classrooms while addressing complex issues affecting members, students, or schools.
During a narrow vote involving over 6,000 NEA members at the assembly, delegates decided to forward a recommendation against using ADL materials to the NEA Executive Committee. According to standing rules, business items calling for boycotts must be referred to this committee before being considered by the Board of Directors.
“It would be inappropriate to speculate about any decisions that our governing body will make,” stated an NEA representative regarding future actions.
The process requires communication with state affiliates where affected organizations are located before taking further action. If state affiliates disagree with recommendations concerning boycotts or sanctions, they can file rebuttal papers circulated alongside executive reports.
NEA President Becky Pringle plans to convene the Executive Committee after compiling necessary research on this matter.
