Nearly 100 CEA members are joining more than 6,000 educators from around the nation at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland this week for the 2025 National Education Association Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly (RA). Connecticut delegates have traveled across the country and engaged in discussions in caucus about their positions on issues that will come to the floor of the RA.
The RA takes place July 3-6 this year and is the world’s largest democratic deliberative body and the top decision-making body for NEA’s nearly 3 million members. Every year, delegates come together to draft and debate new policies, adopt a strategic plan and budget, listen to speeches from NEA leaders and other prominent educators and activists, and elect new leaders. This year, in addition to NEA leaders, delegates will hear from 2025 National Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson, Education Support Professional of the Year Andy Markus, and Higher Educator of the Year Theresa M. Hodge.
At every RA, delegates take on some of the most pressing issues facing public education and will consider a host of new business items (NBI) that will define much of NEA’s advocacy work going forward. CEA delegates plan to introduce an NBI calling on NEA to compile and publish a report on best practices for cellphone-free schools.
Over the four days, RA delegates will discuss higher pay, better working conditions, mental health supports, and racial and social justice. We are also at a critical moment for millions of America’s educators and the families who depend on our public schools. The Trump Administration is trying to abolish the Department of Education and gut critical funding—to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. CEA and NEA have raised awareness about how these destructive actions, along with the proliferation of school voucher schemes, will impact the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the country.
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