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	We're Fighting for the Right to a Great Public School NEA President Reg Weaver recalls the passion for teaching he’s felt over a 30-year career: “There’s no feeling like seeing children’s eyes brighten up as they discover a world of opportunity.” He reminds listeners in his 60-second May radio spot that we're a team fighting for great public schools -- including smaller class sizes, adequate funding, and access to a rigorous curriculum -- for every child. English (MP3) Español (MP3) Viewpoints » Reg Weaver in the Media »

Timeline

1904	1907	1926	1928
The National Association of Colored Teachers is founded by J.R.E. Lee in Nashville, Tennessee.	The National Association of Colored Teachers changes its name to National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools (NATCS).	A joint NEA/NATCS committee is formed to study accreditation problems of southern Black high schools and the quality of Black education.	The Joint Committee is renamed the "Committee to Cooperate with the National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools."
1930	1937	1940	1945
Over 15 years, the NATCS/ATA supports scores of cases as part of a legal strategy to fight racially discriminatory school systems by providing funds, plaintiffs, reports, and expert witnesses for cases filed by the NAACP.	NATCS changes its name to the American Teachers Association (ATA) and continues to focus on educational challenges such as accreditation and federal aid to help Black students and educators.	ATA supports scores of cases filed by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund as part of a strategy to fight racially discriminatory school systems.	The Joint Committee discusses a plan for NEA/ATA unification.
1947	1948	1949	1950
NEA affiliates 18 Black education Associations where state laws prohibit Blacks from joining white organizations.	NEA and ATA affiliates merge in Maryland and Missouri."	The Joint Committee issues a report calling for all students to develop to their fullest potential. Thirty-six ATA delgates from states with segregated associations attend NEA's Representative Assembly (RA). ATA and NEA state officers hold meetings under the auspices of the National Council of State Teachers Associations (NCOSTA).	NEA ammends its 1943 Resolution, discouraging RAs in cities where racial discrimination is practiced in hotels or public facilities.
1954	1955	1956	1957
The United States Supreme Court rules in Brown v Board of Education that racially separate schools "are inherently unequal." NEA and ATA affiliates merge in Kentucky and West Virginia.	Sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to sit in the back of a bus, the Montgomery Bus Boycott begins and the modern Civil Rights Movement is born. The Supreme Court orders racially dual public school systems to desegregate "with all deliberate speed." NEA and ATA District of Columbia affiliates merge.	NEA and ATA in Oklahoma merge. ATA examines dismissal of more than 300 Black Oklahoma teachers, allegedly let go because of desegretation	The Joint Committee distributes educational materials to NEA and ATA members, including a kit on inter-group relations and copies of A Study of the Status of the Education of Negroes. The Committee also urges the integration of minority members into NEA programs.
1958	1963	1964	1965
With the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), the ATA-Project One-Thousand distributes thousands of books to help students learn about Black history and contributions to society. NEA and ATA Delaware affiliates merge.	The NEA RA asks that the Joint Committee report to the 1964 RA if, and under what conditions, NEA and ATA should merge.	Negro high schools become eligible for accreditation through admission to the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. President Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawing racial discrimination in public accommodations, public education, employment, apprenticeships, and union memberships. NEA Resolution 12 mandates that NEA state affiliates merge with their ATA counterparts.	NEA and ATA state affiliates in Alabama hold get-acquainted talks. Widespread dismissals of Black teachers in 17 states prompt: An NEA task force to examine the dismissals A one-million dollar NEA fund to protect and promote professional, civil, and human rights of educators by providing legal and other necessary assistance. President Johnson addresses the NEA RA and appoints an Inter-Agency Task Force to investigate compliance with Civil Rights Act. President Johnson signs the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Higher Education Act, providing critical funds for low income and ethnic minority students.
1966	1967	1968	1970
After three years of intense negotiations, NEA and ATA merge at a ceremony in Miami, Florida. During the next 11 years, NEA and ATA affiliates merge in Florida, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana.	Braulio Alonso (Florida) is elected NEA's first Hispanic president.	NEA develops a nine-point criteria to help merging state affiliates form effective organizations that serve all members. Elizabeth Duncan Koontz (North Carolina) is elected NEA's first Black president. NEA establishes a Center for Human Relations.	NEA establishes three special task forces to investigate widespread dismissals and demotions of Black educators in the wake of Court-ordered desegregation.
2006
The legacy of the merger continues through NEA's: Diversity among RA delegates, elected officers, leaders, and staff Annual Human and Civil Rights Awards Banquet Recognition of ethnic caucuses Standing Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee Human and Civil Rights Department Programs, services, and special reports on the education of minority and disadvantaged students Minority Leadership Training and Development Program Women's Leadership Training and Development Program.

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We're Fighting for the Right to a Great Public School

Viewpoints »Reg Weaver in the Media »

Timeline

1904

1907

1926

1928

The National Association of Colored Teachers is founded by J.R.E. Lee in Nashville, Tennessee.

The National Association of Colored Teachers changes its name to National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools (NATCS).

A joint NEA/NATCS committee is formed to study accreditation problems of southern Black high schools and the quality of Black education.

The Joint Committee is renamed the "Committee to Cooperate with the National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools."

1930

1937

1940

1945

Over 15 years, the NATCS/ATA supports scores of cases as part of a legal strategy to fight racially discriminatory school systems by providing funds, plaintiffs, reports, and expert witnesses for cases filed by the NAACP.

NATCS changes its name to the American Teachers Association (ATA) and continues to focus on educational challenges such as accreditation and federal aid to help Black students and educators.

ATA supports scores of cases filed by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund as part of a strategy to fight racially discriminatory school systems.

The Joint Committee discusses a plan for NEA/ATA unification.

1947

1948

1949

1950

NEA affiliates 18 Black education Associations where state laws prohibit Blacks from joining white organizations.

NEA and ATA affiliates merge in Maryland and Missouri."

The Joint Committee issues a report calling for all students to develop to their fullest potential.

Thirty-six ATA delgates from states with segregated associations attend NEA's Representative Assembly (RA).

ATA and NEA state officers hold meetings under the auspices of the National Council of State Teachers Associations (NCOSTA).

NEA ammends its 1943 Resolution, discouraging RAs in cities where racial discrimination is practiced in hotels or public facilities.

1954

1955

1956

1957

The United States Supreme Court rules in Brown v Board of Education that racially separate schools "are inherently unequal."

NEA and ATA affiliates merge in Kentucky and West Virginia.

Sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to sit in the back of a bus, the Montgomery Bus Boycott begins and the modern Civil Rights Movement is born.

The Supreme Court orders racially dual public school systems to desegregate "with all deliberate speed."

NEA and ATA District of Columbia affiliates merge.

NEA and ATA in Oklahoma merge.

ATA examines dismissal of more than 300 Black Oklahoma teachers, allegedly let go because of desegretation

The Joint Committee distributes educational materials to NEA and ATA members, including a kit on inter-group relations and copies of A Study of the Status of the Education of Negroes. The Committee also urges the integration of minority members into NEA programs.

1958

1963

1964

1965

With the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), the ATA-Project One-Thousand distributes thousands of books to help students learn about Black history and contributions to society.

NEA and ATA Delaware affiliates merge.

The NEA RA asks that the Joint Committee report to the 1964 RA if, and under what conditions, NEA and ATA should merge.

Negro high schools become eligible for accreditation through admission to the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

President Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawing racial discrimination in public accommodations, public education, employment, apprenticeships, and union memberships.

NEA Resolution 12 mandates that NEA state affiliates merge with their ATA counterparts.

NEA and ATA state affiliates in Alabama hold get-acquainted talks.

Widespread dismissals of Black teachers in 17 states prompt: An NEA task force to examine the dismissals A one-million dollar NEA fund to protect and promote professional, civil, and human rights of educators by providing legal and other necessary assistance.

President Johnson addresses the NEA RA and appoints an Inter-Agency Task Force to investigate compliance with Civil Rights Act.

President Johnson signs the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Higher Education Act, providing critical funds for low income and ethnic minority students.

1966

1967

1968

1970

After three years of intense negotiations, NEA and ATA merge at a ceremony in Miami, Florida.

During the next 11 years, NEA and ATA affiliates merge in Florida, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Braulio Alonso (Florida) is elected NEA's first Hispanic president.

NEA develops a nine-point criteria to help merging state affiliates form effective organizations that serve all members.

Elizabeth Duncan Koontz (North Carolina) is elected NEA's first Black president.

NEA establishes a Center for Human Relations.

NEA establishes three special task forces to investigate widespread dismissals and demotions of Black educators in the wake of Court-ordered desegregation.

2006

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Viewpoints »
Reg Weaver in the Media »

Widespread dismissals of Black teachers in 17 states prompt:
An NEA task force to examine the dismissals
A one-million dollar NEA fund to protect and promote professional, civil, and human rights of educators by providing legal and other necessary assistance.