NEA's Priority Schools Initiative

The NEA Priority Schools Initiative addresses the needs of students and school employees in America's lowest-performing schools by directing resources to transform them into academically challenging and stimulating learning environments for our nation's children. To make a difference, the NEA tailors its interventions to meet the individual needs of children and staff in a particular school.

NEA addresses the needs of students and teachers in America's lowest-performing schools with specific products and services, including the following:

A Resource Guide

Making Low-Performing Schools a Priority: An Association Resource Guide (6.16MB, 71 pages). supports local and state efforts to change low-performing schools into priority schools with high academic achievement for all. The guide provides concrete and practical steps for identifying and assisting schools and districts in crisis and includes a resource section to help teachers, parents, and communities leverage support from organizations, business alliances, and others who have a stake in public education.

Training Program

NEA has developed a training program designed for delivery to staff members and other stakeholders in priority schools, or any school that has groups of students who are not succeeding at high levels. Explore the Possibilities is a training program aimed at helping teachers and support staff transform priority schools, based on classroom-tested research and strategies.

Affiliate Outreach

NEA will provide technical and financial resources to assist its affiliates and school districts in turning schools around, including training NEA members in effective strategies for community outreach and school improvement and in crafting relevant contract language.

Legislative Outreach

NEA will develop model federal and state legislation to ensure priority schools and their staffs have sufficient funding and other resources to lower class size, improve parental involvement, expand instructional time, retain qualified staffs, and employ other effective turnaround strategies.

Community Outreach

NEA will work with civil rights groups, foundations, and other organizations to put the best practices to work toward improving the academic and social environment of students in struggling schools and building stronger relations among families, schools, and communities.

Public Outreach

NEA will increase awareness of priority schools by initiating community-wide conversations with parents, policymakers, business leaders, and educators focused on solutions that work.

Contact Us:

For more information about the Priority Schools Initiative, please contact NEA's Urban Initiatives staff at 202-822-7155.