News Release

NEA President Calls on Members to Unite and Fight for Future of Children and Public Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  In his keynote speech on America’s Independence Day, National Education Association (NEA) President Reg Weaver told more than 9,000 members that the organization is moving to a “laser focus” on raising student achievement for all children in the nation’s public schools.

Weaver told NEA’s Representative Assembly that the association’s 2.7 million members must concentrate their efforts in four areas—recruiting new members, working to close the achievement gap, pressuring federal officials to fix and fund the so-called No Child Left Behind law, and electing pro-public education candidates in November and beyond.

“As educators, we value each student, and we respect their individuality,” Weaver said.  “Our goal is for every child to achieve and succeed…And, as we all know, every child can’t learn at the same speed, or in the same way.”

Weaver criticized the No Child Left Behind law and the U.S. Department of Education for taking a “one-size-fits-all” approach that ignores these important differences, and he noted a growing chorus of voices around the country that has joined NEA in raising serious, legitimate concerns.  “No Child Left Behind forces us to spend money that we don’t have, on programs that we don’t need, to get test results that don’t matter,” he said.  “A tweak here, and a tweak there, is not sufficient to remedy the ills of this law.”

A much better approach, Weaver said, would be for the Administration and Congress to listen to educators’ concerns about how the law, as currently crafted, is interfering with progress in the classrooms.  In addition, closing the achievement gap requires adequate resources to reduce class sizes, train teachers, expand early childhood and after school services, update textbooks and materials, and provide the supports children and families need outside of school.

“If there’s enough money for war, then there’s enough money for us to provide our children and students with that which will ensure they achieve and succeed,” Weaver added.

Weaver called for bipartisan support for education programs that work.  To Democrats, he said, “Don’t take us for granted,” and to Republicans, “Don’t write us off.  We will do all we can to support you if you demonstrate support for public education.”

Weaver urged every NEA member to “give me five!”—recruit five new members, register five new voters, work five full days to elect pro-public education candidates, and spend five minutes explaining to a parent or member of their community what needs to be done to ensure the promise of the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation decision is fulfilled.

“You do it every day, and stand ready, willing and able to do what it takes to make a great public school for every child.  To do what it takes to make the promise of Brown more than a promise, but a reality for all children,” he said.  

July 4, 2004

For more information:
NEA Public Relations, 202 822-7200

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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.