NEA Vice President Reg Weaver Backs '14-Carat Gold Education'

The debate over private school vouchers and other privatization efforts should focus on providing the best education for all children, according to National Education Association Vice President Reg Weaver.

Reg Weaver

Weaver was a panelist at a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel forum on education Thursday (October 21, 1999) in Milwaukee. The NEA and its affiliates are working to give “underprivileged kids a 14-carat gold education,” Weaver told the forum.

“Parents and children shouldn’t have to worry about choosing a ‘good school.’ All schools have the potential to be ‘good schools’ and we should make this happen.”

Weaver said educators know what it takes to improve schools. He cited Wisconsin’s SAGE program as one example of a program that improves student performance.

“If we know what works, we should come together and make it work,” he said.

Weaver said parents and citizens should follow the lead of WEAC’s Great Schools initiative, and let politicians know what they want “and recognize every child deserves a great school.”

Weaver told the audience the dream of all children receiving a top-notch education is attainable.

“It depends upon how willing we are to declare a state of emergency for low-performing schools – then roll up our sleeves, wade into the current, and do the heavy lifting that needs to be done,” he said.

Posted October 22, 1999