NEA Proposes Improvements to ESEA

June 10, 2003

To better serve the needs of America's students and help them achieve their dreams, NEA urges Congress to make improvements to ESEA (Elementary & Secondary Education Act), called by some "No Child Left Behind."

"This is all about accountability. Many of our members understand the importance of accountability, as 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. 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.

Read more information about NEA's proposed changes.