1.  Define the following words as used in the article:
-advocacy, philanthropy, disclosure (para.1)
-cursory (para. 2)
-disbursements, ostensibly (para. 4)
-school vouchers (para. 6)
-agitation, charter-school, progressive=another word for liberal (para. 7)

2.  A union is a group of workers that come together to work for better wages and better working conditions for its members.  What does the online encyclopedia Wikipedia say about the NEA's current politics?

3.  Who is Reg Weaver?  What is his annual salary?  How does this compare with the average teacher's salary? 
Read Reg Weaver's biography at nea.org/home/3501.htm.  Is the amount of Mr. Weaver's salary justified?  Explain your answer.

4.  Why do the WSJ editors disagree with teacher unions giving a portion of members' dues to political groups? (para. 2)

5.  Why do you think the unions do not want to disclose how they spend members' dues?

6.  Should the NEA be involved with funding social issues or advancing a particular political agenda (liberal or conservative)?  Explain your answer.

7.  Ask at least two teachers the following questions: (For each question, ask them to explain their answer.  Then, share their answers with the class.)

• Do you believe that $439,000/year is a fair salary for the NEA President? (If not, what is a fair salary?)
• Do you agree with mandatory teacher dues?
• What should dues be used for?
• To be fair, should the portion of your dues donated to political causes be evenly split by liberal and conservative causes?
• Would you prefer to keep the part of your dues that are not used for collective bargaining and choose the orgainzations your money is donated to, or do you think that money donated as an orgainzation is more effective?

If your teachers are unhappy with how their union spends their money, tell them about the National Right to Work Foundation.