Statement

Statement by
NEA President Reg Weaver
on legislation to make recent Education Department
rule changes retroactive

NEA Hails Kennedy-Miller Bill to Ensure Accuracy
and Fairness of 'No Child Left Behind' Test Results

"The National Education Association and its members are very pleased that Senator Kennedy and Representative Miller are proposing legislation to give schools the opportunity to have their status reevaluated under the 'No Child Left Behind' law's system for judging academic progress.

"We appreciate their leadership in helping to create a fair and accurate system of rules for evaluating schools. Because the U.S. Department of Education delayed making much-needed changes in the rules for more than a year, thousands of schools and school districts across the country were left unfairly and inaccurately labeled last year as failing to make adequate yearly progress.

"Despite urging by NEA and the Democrats on the education committees in both houses of Congress, the Department is still refusing to make these changes retroactive. This makes it impossible to compare this year’s results with last year’s, leads to confusion and frustration for students and parents, and undermines the credibility of the whole system.

"The changes proposed by Senator Kennedy and Representative Miller represent a common sense and fair approach. NEA will continue to push for further changes -- and resources for methods and practices that work -- in order to make sure every child has what he or she needs to be successful."

June 17, 2004

Contact:
Daniel Kaufman    202/822-7268

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.