The National Education Association’s (NEA) annual convention saw a majority of the 8,200 delegates coming together to approve a plan for aggressive changes to the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. The union, which has often expressed dissatisfaction over its exclusion from the development of the country’s key education law, has now called on NEA members to urge Congress for reforms that align with the union’s views.
One of the proposed changes is to establish an accountability system that goes beyond relying solely on testing as the measure of success or failure. The union suggests implementing a system that incorporates multiple benchmarks, including teacher-designed classroom assessments, student portfolios, graduation/dropout statistics, and college enrollment rates.
Additionally, the plan advocates for smaller class sizes, increased funding for schools, and revisions to the definition of a "highly qualified" teacher. The plan received overwhelming support, with only three delegates publicly opposing it, claiming that the union should take even more drastic measures and seek a complete repeal of the NCLB law.
At the Representative Assembly, the union unveiled a survey of 1,000 NEA members, revealing that nearly 70 percent of them dislike the No Child Left Behind Act and believe it has failed to improve education. Only 29 percent of respondents approved of the law.
Rebecca Pringle, an NEA Executive Committee member who chaired the strategy committee, stated that this plan grants authorization for the NEA to venture into uncharted territory. She emphasized that educators have been hindered by a flawed law that prevents them from providing a supportive environment for students. Ms. Pringle also noted that the initial bipartisan support for the law made the NEA’s voice "lonely" at first, but support has since grown, with some states like Connecticut taking a stand against the law.
Abby Beytin, a member of the committee responsible for the plan, expressed her dissatisfaction with the exclusion of teachers from the development of the NCLB law. She highlighted the need for teachers, who work closely with children in the classroom every day, to have the opportunity to apply their expertise and adapt their teaching methods according to each child’s needs.
The NEA has long been opposed to the NCLB law, particularly its accountability and teacher-qualification mandates. In his keynote address, NEA President Reg Weaver urged members to actively lobby state and federal lawmakers for changes to the law. He stressed the NEA’s experience and expertise in the field of education, asserting that the union should be at the forefront of innovative education reform. Mr. Weaver also called for a minimum wage of $40,000 per year for all teachers and a living wage for education support professionals, as well as equitable funding for schools.
Immigration also became a topic of discussion at the NEA convention, with delegates passing a resolution that aims to protect teachers and school employees from being involved in reporting undocumented immigrants to immigration authorities. The resolution emphasizes the NEA’s commitment to ensuring the rights of all students, promoting a safe environment, and providing equal opportunities to learn.
Barbara E. Kerr, president of the California Teachers Association, highlighted the importance of this resolution, stating that it is about guaranteeing a quality education for all children and protecting human rights. She expressed concern over the possibility of teachers being criminalized or forced to act as immigration officers.
In a subsequent interview, she expressed her skepticism towards the idea of every child in her school meeting standards, despite the appealing notion of "no child left behind." Tanya Earle, who teaches social studies at Molalla High School in Molalla River, Oregon, criticized the NCLB law for undermining their educational objectives. She argued that the intense focus on math and reading, due to the federal law, has significantly impacted her subject area. According to Ms. Earle, some schools have even deemed social studies as irrelevant to the core curriculum, which has been detrimental to the field.
Ms. Earle further claimed that schools are faced with limited resources and unfunded mandates, resulting in poor decision-making. Expressing her dissatisfaction, she affirmed that the NCLB law has steered schools in the wrong direction, diverting attention from the essential principles they aimed to teach.
However, although she advocated for the elimination of the law, Ms. Stacy acknowledged that some NEA members felt a compromise may be more appropriate. Patricia A. Foerster, the outgoing president of the Maryland State Teachers Association, stated that there are aspects of the NCLB law that most teachers agree with, such as the importance of accountability and qualified educators. She believed that there are alternative measures to address the law’s shortcomings without completely dismantling it, which would lead to a more favorable outcome.
