NEA Representative Assembly Closes with Infusion of Energy and Resolve

'Destination 2000: Quality Public Education for All'

The National Education Association (NEA) closed its 1999 Representative Assembly Tuesday (July 6, 1999) with an infusion of energy and resolve for raising the level of excellence in public education for the 21st Century and beyond.

Heralding the meeting theme "Destination 2000: Quality Public Education for All," the 9,000 plus delegates headed home from Orlando with a renewed commitment to quality teaching and learning in America's schools. In his keynote address, NEA president Bob Chase told delegates that meeting the challenges and seizing opportunities in the 21st Century require more resolve than ever. "Let us continue the all-important work of forging a new NEA and a new style of unionism in our schools, colleges, and universities-with the aim of providing all students with a quality education."

Held over the 4th of July weekend, the meeting provided a prime opportunity to celebrate democracy and diversity in America-a nation built on free, universal access to education. Delegates created some indoor fireworks when they held a rally to denounce Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for his state's new voucher law. President Chase led delegates in speaking out against vouchers as a threat to democacy and quality public education. Chase and NEA delegates urged the Florida state legislature to abandon the shortsighted voucher scheme and instead adopt proven ways to improve teaching and learning through smaller class sizes, high standards, teacher quality, parental involvement, and safe and modern schools.

First Lady Hillary Clinton, NEA's 1999 Friend of Education award winner, echoed the delegates' position calling vouchers "dead wrong." Ms. Clinton urged political leaders to recognize that there is no objective evidence that vouchers improve student achievement. Rather, she declared there is plenty of evidence that vouchers inflict damage. "What they (vouchers) have done is to divert public funds for a few and weaken an entire system," said Clinton in her address to the assembly. Clinton was awarded NEA's highest honor-the Friend of Education award-for her lifelong dedication to improving conditions for children.

President Chase thanked NEA's 2.4 million members for continuing to fuel his call for "new unionism" with its overarching commitment to quality teaching and learning. Delegates buoyed new unionism with their hearty embrace of several new resolutions addressing teacher preparation and professional development. They overwhelmingly approved a resolution that puts the NEA firmly on record endorsing mandatory support systems for new teachers. The resolution calls for all new teachers to have mentors to help them survive and thrive in their first years in the classroom. The policy also states that assistance to new teachers must be no less than one year in duration. Delegates also voted to support stricter guidelines for teacher certification and strenuously oppose out-of-field teaching assignments, where teachers are required to teach subjects outside their licensed area of expertise.

NEA delegates expressed concern that the tremendous demand for teachers may create pressures to lower standards to fill vacancies. At least two million new teachers will be needed over the next decade. Speaking before the assembly, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards President Barbara Kelley called on educators and policymakers to insist on the highest standards in meeting the demand created by a teacher shortage. "The students in this country cannot afford even one inadequately prepared teacher," said Kelley. "Hospital patients expect doctors to update their skills on a regular basis and to have access to the latest research and best practices. Students should expect no less from their teachers."

In the wake of tragic school shootings across the nation this year, NEA delegates brought focus to school safety in a townhall meeting titled, "A Time to Learn, To Share, To Heal." National experts on the issues of youth violence shared strategies for communities, families, and schools to use to create safe and orderly classrooms. All agreed that school safety will be a major emphasis when teachers, support staff and students head back to school this fall. To bolster safe school efforts in the 1999-2000 school year, NEA spearheaded a public-private partnership that will give satellite dishes, free air time, and safe schools television programming to one-thousand school districts across the nation. The first safe schools programming will air in the fall.

New technologies are extending education's reach, opening doors to learning in every corner of the globe. As part of the association's ongoing efforts to harness the potential of technology to enhance learning, not to cut corners, delegates voted to pursue strategies to ensure that quality is sustained in all distance learning programs.

Teacher quality and innovations in teaching filled discussions and debate at the 1999 Assembly including:

• A two-day Seuss Summer Read-In that celebrated NEA's commitment to reading by donating almost 2,000 books to Orlando youth. In addition, NEA delegates and local celebrities delighted more than 500 area youngsters by reading aloud.
• 1999 Teacher of the Year Andrew Baumgartner of Augusta, Georgia, inspired delegates with his formula for student learning: a nurturing classroom that encourages adventure, exploration and discovery.
• Education Support Person of the Year Gail Rasmussen of Eagle Point, Oregon urged delegates to join forces with their communities to support children and education.
• Six innovative union partnerships received Saturn Partnership awards, recognizing local associations for cooperative efforts to boost student achievement.
• Individuals and organizations were honored for their outstanding work in human and civil rights, including NAACP President Kweisi Mfume and United Farm Workers (UFW) Vice President Dolores Huerta.

NEA delegates voted to continue to chart a course toward unity between NEA and the American Federation of Teachers by voting to approve guidelines for state mergers by overwhelming margins.

In addition, delegates re-elected leadership that included NEA President Bob Chase of Danbury, Connecticut, Vice President Reg Weaver of Harvey, Illinois, and executive committee members Lily Eskelson of Salt Lake City, Utah and Eddie Davis of Durham, North Carolina. The four leaders were elected to their second three-year terms.

NEA's Representative Assembly is the premiere forum for spotlighting critical issues facing American education, fueling educators with information and innovations, and celebrating the art and science of teaching.

Posted July 8, 1999