NEA Spells Out Vision of ‘Education Utopia’

By Amy Buffenbarger Asking the crowd to imagine a world in which every student receives a quality public education, National Education Association (NEA) Secretary-Treasurer Rebecca Pringle shared the NEA vision of “education utopia” on May 18, at a meeting of the Education Writers Association (EWA). “The National Education Association believes every student should have access [...]

Michigan’s Renewal Starts with Reinvesting in Education

By Brenda  Álvarez History has looked favorably upon Michigan, from the booming fur trade of the 18th century to the prosperous copper mining industry of the 19th century. More notably, Henry Ford’s Model T marked Michigan’s legacy as a thriving auto industry, providing millions of jobs for much of the 20th century and for building America’s [...]

Educators Aren’t Just Welcoming Change, They’re Leading It

By Cindy Long Jenna Marvin, a media specialist at Howenstine High Magnet School, doesn’t buy into the perception of some that the National Education Association (NEA) and its members resist change and reform. On the contrary, at her school in Tucson, Arizona, educators aren’t just welcoming change and reform—they’re leading it. “We’re fighting very hard to [...]

How School Arts Programs Encourage Parental Involvement

By Teal Ruland Study after study has shown that arts education is a powerful and important component of adolescent learning. Dance, drama, music, and visual arts provide outlets for creativity, instill discipline, and help us to understand and analyze the world around us. Research also shows that the academic gains students achieve with high arts [...]

NEA’s Read Across America Tour Delivers Donations to Schools in Need

By Staci Maiers With a message of “Read! Read! Read!,” and a beloved Dr. Seuss character, NEA’s “Read Across America Tour- Driven by Mazda” is making stops at priority schools in California and Nevada. The Lorax-adorned vehicles on the tour bring books and cash donations to public school libraries—with each priority school receiving a $1,500 [...]

Education Organizing – The Path to Real Reform?

By Amy Buffenbarger Many current reform efforts focus on a system of rewards, sanctions and narrow test-based accountability, leaving little room for family and community input. A new guide, however, demonstrates how “community organizing offers an alternative vision for school reform.” In local communities across the country, NEA members and leaders are working closely with [...]

“There Are No Shortcuts to Improving Student Achievement”

By John Rosales West Seattle Elementary School in Washington is changing. While the irksome perception persists that this school in a high-poverty neighborhood is too ill-equipped, mismanaged, or even incapable of high student achievement, the school’s students, staff, and parents work quietly and effectively to change its course. “We have a vision of becoming a [...]

Innovative Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners

By Rebeca Logan When Maricela Rincón first started school she was sent to the back of the room because she didn’t speak English. Even though she was born in Chicago, Maricela felt isolated and rejected because she spoke only Spanish. “At that time language wasn’t valued… And so I was usually placed in the back [...]

How Effective Family Engagement Makes a Difference

By Cindy Long If it hadn’t been for parental involvement at Glendale Middle School, a large group of girls would be failing gym class for one simple reason – they couldn’t wear the uniform. Nearly a quarter of the student population at Glendale is Muslim, and for religious reasons, Muslim girls are unable to wear short-sleeved [...]

Reforming Teacher Evaluation Through Collaboration

By Brenda Alvarez Some critics of America’s public schools say teachers don’t want to be held accountable for the challenges of struggling schools. Not true. In fact, teachers demand to be held accountable and they’re the first to say, “The status quo must go,” in education. But they want it done, fairly, realistically, and with [...]

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