NEA Strategic Framework

NEA’s Strategic Framework for 2026–2028

Visionary Goals

We join together as active educators (preK-12 teachers, education support professionals, and higher educators); retired and aspiring educators; public service employees; community allies; and parents, families, and coalition partners united around public education, through these three core commitments:

We organize for Collective Excellence that advances our varied professions and commands professional respect. We cultivate continuous professional growth and innovation in public education.
We organize for Collective Power for our union and communities to create the education system our students deserve. We advocate to build the strength, respect, and power educators need to create positive change.
We organize for Collective Justice that creates opportunity, respect, and dignity for all. We champion public education as the bedrock of a just society where ALL students have access to a high-quality education.

Strategic Objectives

In partnership with our state and local affiliates, we demonstrate our commitments to Collective Excellence, Collective Power, and Collective Justice by advancing the following six strategic objectives:

Elevate the Professions to advance student learning and success
Establish Educational Environments that are fully funded, innovative, equitable, and safe
Enhance Equity by advancing racial, social, and economic justice
Engage Diverse Leadership throughout our system for empowered members, strengthened affiliate health, and broad participation in every affiliate
Energize Affiliates that continuously organize, build union strength, and seek to improve member working conditions and student learning conditions
Ensure a Lasting Democracy that serves all and that respects the foundational role of public education in our nation

NEA Operational Objective
Effective Operations: Leadership and Governance Support; Business, HR, Financial Services; Data and Technology Services; Communications; Legal; Research; Strategy

How the Strategic Plan and Budget is Crafted and Adopted

The development of NEA’s Strategic Plan and Budget begins with the hard work of the seven members of the Committee on Program and Budget, whose composition and duties are set forth in NEA Bylaws 11-7 and 11-9.

The NEA president, secretary-treasurer, executive director, and committee prepare the proposed plan and budget for presentation to the Executive Committee for review prior to its transmittal to the Board of Directors. Upon receipt, the Board reviews and tentatively approves the plan and budget. This normally occurs at its May meeting in Washington, DC. Prior to the NEA Annual Meeting and NEA Representative Assembly, the committee holds an open hearing where NEA delegates may give input and make recommendations to the committee for changes in the proposed plan and budget, after which the committee considers any changes it wishes to make prior to final action by the Board of Directors. The Board then convenes to take action to approve the proposed Strategic Plan and Budget for transmittal to the Representative Assembly. The delegates act on the plan and budget during the final business meeting of the Representative Assembly.

In the second year of the biennial budget, any necessary adjustments are recommended by the Board of Directors to the Representative Assembly, which receives and acts on the modifications.

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Suggested Results

NEA Strategic Framework

NEA’s Strategic Framework for 2026–2028

Visionary Goals

Strategic Objectives

How the Strategic Plan and Budget is Crafted and Adopted

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