Nearly 9,000 educators from every state will come together to address the pressing issues facing students, schools, and the teaching profession during the National Education Association’s 152nd Annual Meeting and 93rd Representative Assembly (RA) June 26–July 6 in Denver.
The theme for this year’s Annual Meeting is NEA: We Educate America. On the agenda at this year’s RA, educators from Kansas will be discussing:
Common Core State Standards: The CCSS are a set of voluntary K-12 standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics. The goal of the CCSS is to provide a clear, consistent understanding of what students are expected to learn. The Standards reflect the knowledge and skills required for successful entry into college and careers. To date, 45 states and the District of Columbia have agreed to adopt the CCSS, which are scheduled for full implementation in 2014.
Standardized Testing: For many teachers and students, high-stakes standardized tests have put undue pressure on students, teachers and schools. NEA feels assessments should be used to help teachers improve their practice, help students evaluate their own strengths and needs, and focus help on the students and subjects that need attention.
School Safety: Although they may be disappointed with the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass comprehensive school safety legislation last year, educators nationwide are vowing to continue to fight and acknowledging that protecting our students and public schools from gun violence will be a long battle. The VIVA (Voices Ideas Vision Action) Idea Exchange is one way NEA has lifted up members’ voices and recommendations on this critical issue. From there, VIVA selected 11 educators to join the writing of the detailed report “Sensible Solutions for Safe Schools.”
State of Education in Kansas: The Kansas Legislature and allies of Governor Brownback have attacked public education and the profession by including harmful policy into a bill HB 2506 intended to satisfy the Kansas Supreme Court mandate for equitable funding for public schools. Specifically, the bill eliminates teacher due process, opens classrooms to unlicensed teachers, and shifts revenue from public schools to corporate tax credits for private school vouchers. The bill was signed into law by Governor Brownback. Unfortunately, the bill does little to help the funding problems it was intended to solve and in fact hurts many Kansas school districts.
Teachers as Leaders: NEA’s Raise Your Hand Campaign that is intended in bringing educators, parents, community leaders, and others together and lifting up good ideas, smart policies and successful programs. The driving idea behind the program is to move beyond talk to delivering measurable results for students. Since last year, the campaign has inspired educators to take charge of their profession and take responsibility for developing the next generation of teachers.
Friend of Education Award: NEA will award its highest honor, “Friend of Education Award,” to education advocate Malala Yousafzai. NEA’s Friend of Education Award is bestowed upon an individual, organization, or group whose leadership, acts, or support have significantly benefited public education, education employees, and/or students on a national level.
The RA, the top decision-making body for the nearly 3 million-member NEA, sets Association policy for the coming year. Delegates adopt the strategic plan and budget, resolutions, the legislative program, and other policies of the Association. NEA’s Representative Assembly is also the world’s largest democratic deliberative body.