{"id":2664821,"date":"2026-09-19T08:11:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T12:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blue-states-with-powerful-teachers-unions-have-far-worse-reading-scores-for-students-than-red-states-with-weak-unions\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T08:21:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T12:21:31","slug":"blue-states-with-powerful-teachers-unions-have-far-worse-reading-scores-for-students-than-red-states-with-weak-unions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blue-states-with-powerful-teachers-unions-have-far-worse-reading-scores-for-students-than-red-states-with-weak-unions\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue States with Powerful Teachers&#8217; Unions Have Far Worse Reading Scores for Students Than Red States with Weak Unions"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">38<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fblue-states-with-powerful-teachers-unions-have-far-worse-reading-scores-for-students-than-red-states-with-weak-unions%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2664821&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent report indicates that states with strong teachers\u2019 unions, primarily in Democratic-led (blue) regions, tend to have lower literacy scores among young students, especially between third and fifth grade. The study from the Progressive Policy Institute found that eight out of the ten states with the poorest literacy performance are Democrat-controlled and have influential teachers\u2019 unions.Conversely, many Republican-led states show higher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blm-leader-who-quit-group-teachers-unions-have-co-opted-blm-are-killing-kids-hopes-and-dreams\/\" title=\"BLM Leader Who Quit Group: ... ... Have Co-Opted BLM, Are \u2018Killing\u2019 Kids\u2019 \u2018Hopes And Dreams\u2019\">literacy rates<\/a>, with a significant number adopting reforms like additional teacher training and grade retention policies that improve literacy. The report suggests that powerful unions may hinder the implementation of effective literacy policies, whereas states with weaker unions or less union influence have adopted more rigorous literacy reforms, resulting in better educational outcomes. Experts advocate for prioritizing children\u2019s reading abilities over union interests, emphasizing that reforms like teacher training and targeted interventions can considerably boost literacy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A new report revealed that blue states with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dem-gov-hopefuls-side-with-union-in-fight-over-virginia-school-closures\/\" title=\"Dem Gov Hopefuls Side With Union in Fight Over Virginia School Closures\">powerful teachers\u2019 unions<\/a> are underperforming with respect to literacy against Republican states with weaker unions.<\/p>\n<p>The findings from the Progressive Policy Institute revealed that eight of the 10 states with the worst literacy scores were Democrat-run states where teachers\u2019 unions carry sway, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/09\/15\/us-news\/blue-states-with-strong-teachers-unions-have-lower-student-literacy-levels-study-shows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from the New York Post.<\/p>\n<p>Only five of the states were Republican-run, and one was a swing state.<\/p>\n<p>New York state was among the worst performing, as over half of children between third and fifth grade this year failed their reading proficiency tests.<\/p>\n<p>The Empire State is also a political bastion for teachers\u2019 unions.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, 13 of the top 23 performing states were run by Republicans, while only 4 were run by Democrats.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A new analysis from the center-left Progressive Policy Institute found a striking pattern in states\u2019 early-literacy performance.<\/p>\n<p>Eight of the 10 states with the weakest early-literacy policy scores had powerful teachers\u2019 unions. Among the top 60% of states, just four had strong\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1seYPPUAm5\">pic.twitter.com\/1seYPPUAm5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/foxnewspolitics\/status\/2100608674100318590?\">September 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Only seven of the top 32 states were run by Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>Progressive Policy Institute Director of Education Policy Rachel Canter was an advocate for education reform in Mississippi, where literacy rates have been surging in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>But she said that progressives are slow to adapt \u2014 and that unions are often to blame.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDemocrats, however, don\u2019t often ask me how to replicate Mississippi\u2019s success,\u201d Canter described, per the New York Post.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The stronger the teachers unions, the fewer early literacy reforms states have adopted.<\/p>\n<p>Blue states average just 9 of 18 key literacy policies, compared with 13.5 in red and purple states.<\/p>\n<p>Children\u2019s ability to read should come BEFORE union power. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mSLhEahRrY\">pic.twitter.com\/mSLhEahRrY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Stephen Moore (@StephenMoore) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/StephenMoore\/status\/2099642356840493400?\">September 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey ask if it\u2019s possible at all, given the power of teachers\u2019 unions in their home states.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Republican states were more likely to adopt the recommended literacy practices that led to notable improvements in Mississippi, while Democratic states with unions were less likely.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStates dominated by Democrats have been slower to embrace similar reforms,\u201d Canter continued. \u201cOrganized labor might explain some of this gap.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Canter noted that requiring added training for teachers at elementary schools with the worst performance, along with requiring third graders with the lowest literacy scores to repeat the grade, were among the policies that bore fruit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe found a strong, negative correlation between the two \u2014 the more powerful the unions, the fewer literacy policy principles the state had adopted,\u201d Canter said.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ]; 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( opts[inputs[i]] = document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display = 'block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src = firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id'] = firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting = jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display = 'block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blue states with strong teachers\u2019 unions lag in literacy compared to Republican-led states with weaker unions, says a new report. The Progressive Policy Institute found that 8 of the 10 lowest-performing states on literacy are Democrat-controlled, where unions hold significant influence. Only five of the worst states are Republican-led, and one is a swing state. Notably, New York ranks among the poorest performers, with over half of children in grades 3-5 failing reading tests this year-a state known for its powerful teachers\u2019 unions. Conversely, 13 of the top 23 literacy-performing states are run by Republicans; only four are led by Democrats. Rachel Canter from the Progressive Policy Institute highlighted that stronger union presence correlates with fewer early-literacy reforms, such as additional teacher training and grade retention policies shown to improve reading skills. She noted that Democratic-led states tend to adopt these reforms more slowly than Republican ones, possibly due to union influence<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2664822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-09-18T011242.052.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5152,39610,45430],"class_list":["post-2664821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-education","tag-reading-scores","tag-teachers-unions"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-09-18T011242.052.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2664821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2664821"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2664821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2664825,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2664821\/revisions\/2664825"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2664822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2664821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2664821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2664821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}