NEA Rep. Assembly Delegates to Gather in Los Angeles July 1-6
More than 300 WEAC members are traveling to Los Angeles
for the 84th annual NEA Representative Assembly. They will join NEA
members from other states and U.S. territories to debate education issues
and set policy for the 2.7 million-member organization.
NEA RA delegates will focus on improving student achievement, boosting
outreach to minority communities and building stronger teacher-parent
partnerships. Delegates will also consider ways to fix and fund the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and ways to attract and retain
quality teachers and support staff.
Jason Kamras, 2005 Teacher of the Year, will address the delegates,
as will Kathleen Lange, Education Support Professional of the Year;
and Cheryl Brown Henderson, NEA's 2005 Friend of Education.
The event will kick off July 1 with the Red Carpet Read-In. Delegates
will host children in a variety of activities, including art projects
and reading.
On July 2 the NEA will honor activists and educators for promoting
social justice in their communities during the Human and Civil Rights
Awards Dinner. A symposium on the same day will focus on closing the
achievement gap, bringing fairness to teacher pay, and updating technology
in schools.
During the RA, NEA President Reg Weaver will launch the organization's
campaign for better schools. "A coalition of educators and parents
and grassroots people of good will – Democrats, Republicans and
Independents alike – united by their shared values would be a
powerful alliance," he said. "NEA can lead the way, helping
our fellow citizens find the common ground for such an alliance."
Retired, education support professional, higher education and student
members will attend a series of pre-RA union-building conferences and
professional development opportunities June 27-30. Members can also
visit an exhibit hall featuring the displays of more than 200 vendors
throughout the event.
For more information about the NEA RA, visit www.nea.org/annualmeeting/.
Updated June 30, 2005