NEA Proposes Improvements to Revised ESEA Law
To better serve the needs of America's students and
help them achieve their dreams, the National Education Association is
urging Congress to make improvements to the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act (ESEA).
"This is all about accountability. Many of our members understand
the importance of accountability - they are in the classroom doing their
best with students every day," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "We
believe accountability must be shared by teachers, students, administrators,
parents and politicians. But Congress and the White House have not been
accountable for providing the resources necessary so all our children
can achieve high standards."
"There are those who will say the NEA should not try to change the
law," Weaver said. "But it's our members who are in the classrooms
and schools every day. Our members are the ones responsible for implementing
this law. Our members - along with parents, administrators and policymakers
- are telling us the law is unworkable."
While no piece of legislation is perfect, Weaver said, "We should
take the opportunity we have to get input from the people who are in our
classrooms and at our workshops."
Changes proposed by the NEA include;
- Altering the punitive testing requirements so schools and children
aren't judged on a single test score alone.
- Ensuring that the teacher quality definition will not force qualified
competent teachers from the classroom, while also closing loopholes
that exempt charter schools and supplemental service providers from
some of the requirements.
- Requiring Congress fully fund the Act before punishing cash-strapped
school districts that don't meet the invasive requirements of the new
law.
In addition to changing the law, the NEA is urging Congress to hold hearings
on the effects of the ESEA, sometimes referred to as the "No Child
Left Behind Act," and to have teachers and administrators testify
on how the new law is being implemented in America's schools.
OnWEAC resource page on
the ESEA law
NEA's resource page on the ESEA law
Posted June 12, 2003