NEA's Positive Agenda for ESEA Reauthorization Fact Sheet

All children have a basic right to great public schools. NEA proposes seven criteria for great public schools and five key ESEA reauthorization priorities necessary to meet the criteria. NEA believes these criteria will:

• Prepare all students for the future with 21st century skills;
• Create enthusiasm for learning and engage all students in the classroom;
• Close the gaps in student achievement and raise achievement for all students;
• Ensure that all educators have the resources and tools they need to get the job done.

The seven criteria are:

• Quality programs and services that meet the full range of all children’s needs so that they come to school every day ready and able to learn;
• High expectations and standards with a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum for all students;
• Quality conditions for teaching and lifelong learning;
• A qualified, caring, diverse, and stable workforce;
• Shared responsibility for appropriate school accountability by stakeholders at all levels;
• Parental, family, and community involvement and engagement;
• Adequate, equitable, and sustainable funding.

The current version of ESEA – The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) – has stated goals that are important to NEA and our society – to improve student achievement and help close the achievement and skills gaps that exist in our country. We want to retain the positive provisions of ESEA, both those that existed prior to NCLB and those that were added by NCLB, in the reauthorization.

There are, however, some fundamental flaws in NCLB. It does not provide an accurate picture of student learning or school success, and its accountability provisions drain already scarce resources away from public schools. Congress must shift from the current focus that labels and punishes schools with a flawed one-size-fits-all accountability system and severely underfunded mandates to one that includes common sense flexibility, supports educators in implementing programs that improve student learning, reward success, and provides meaningful assistance to schools most in need of help.

The following five priorities are crucial to realizing the goals of improving student achievement, closing the gaps in student achievement, and providing every child with a quality teacher.

• Accountability that rewards success and supports educators in helping students learn;
• Smaller class sizes to improve student achievement;
• Quality educators in every classroom and school;
• Students and schools supported by active and engaged parents, families, and communities;
• Resources to ensure a great public school for every child.

Posted April 16, 2007