One educated observer of the National Education Assn.’s relationship with the ADL contends that, despite recent reports, a split between the two bodies isn’t necessarily a certainty.
The NEA is the nation’s largest teachers union. The body held its assembly July 3-7 in Portland, Ore., and a delegation from Massachusetts brought up a proposal for the NEA to end its longstanding partnership with the ADL.
“It’s been reported that it’s been a decision, but really it was a recommendation,” says Susan Rona, director of the ADL Mountain States Region.
“It has to go to their executive committee, and the executive committee has some choices as to how they want to handle it.”
The IJN reached out to the NEA for clarification on the protocol, and the NEA has yet to respond.
The latest rift between the ADL and NEA came to light when the Massachusetts Teachers Assn. disagreed with the ADL over a recent presentation on Islamophobia.
As a result, the following resolution was drafted for NEA consideration:
“The 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.”
Rona says the Colorado delegation at the NEA did not vote in favor of a split from the ADL.
“I was shocked to see that there are some activist teachers within the NEA who pushed this agenda,” she says.
“It’s really unfortunate because it totally clouds things with a level of hate around people getting educated about bias and harassment, which the ADL has been doing for decades.”
Should the NEA leave its partnership with the ADL, Rona says the effect will be felt throughout Colorado.
Rona cited an event in Broomfield April 17, when schools throughout the district celebrated No Place for Hate Day.
No Place for Hate is an anti-bias program of the ADL.
“No Place for Hate is in a lot of schools in Colorado,” Rona said. “In Broomfield, the City Council passed a resolution for it, and the positive impact of this work in Colorado can be seen extensively.
“It’s a great thing to see and it’s a great success story of what this work really is.
“We’re going to keep fighting the fight, keep working hard to make sure that students have access to a really valuable curriculum about how to fight bias, hate and anti-Semitism, because they have no place in Colorado or around the country.”
© IJN 2025
