The ESProfessionals:
An Action Guide to Help in Your Professional Development

Major Historical, Legislative and Policy Events that have affected NEA's Education Support Professionals

1946

National School Lunch Act - Congress creates the school lunch program, recognizing the connection between nutrition and learning capacity. Today, the program feeds approximately 27 million students. School cafeteria workers are expected to know about food allergies, nutrition and food safety.

1965

Elementary and Secondary Education Act - Congress invests billions of dollars in "poor schools" through the Title I program in an effort to provide equal opportunities in education. The program was reauthorized in 2001.

Head Start - This "Great Society" program serves lowincome children, from birth to age 5, and their families. Head Start programs are often based in schools, where school support staff play a key role in preparing children to be ready to learn when they enter school.

1966

Child Nutrition Act - Today 7.7 million students receive assistance through the National School Breakfast Program, which was established by this law to provide assistance to "nutritionally needy" children. The growth of this program reflects the increased awareness that students need good nutrition - and well-trained school support staff - so they will be safe, healthy and ready to learn.

1967

Educational Professions Development Act - Congress provides federal funds to address the training of teachers in critical shortage areas, and provides fellowships for teachers and other education professionals.

NEA Representative Assembly (RA) - Members adopt a new membership category -- "Educational Secretary" -- into the NEA Bylaws.

1969

NEA Representative Assembly - Members adopt Resolution C8, the first recognition of paraprofessionals and auxiliary personnel in NEA governance proceedings. The resolution urges local affiliates and school systems to "become involved in the recruitment, orientation and training of paraprofessional and auxiliary personnel."

1970

Occupational Safety and Health Act - OSHA is created to ensure that every worker goes home healthy every day. Supported by NEA, OSHA regulations have helped make schools safer for staff and students.

1974

NEA Representative Assembly - A task force is appointed to study the problems related to organizing and servicing substitute, part-time, and paraprofessional personnel, including examination of their "proper" professional and legal relationships with full-time teachers.

1975

Summer Food Service Program - In a continuing effort to improve nutrition for children, Congress expands school food service, establishing this program to provide healthy meals to 2 million children during the long summer vacations.

Education for all Handicapped Children Act - Now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Congress passed this law to ensure access to a free and appropriate education for students with disabilities. Many school support professionals, especially security officers, paraprofessionals and bus drivers, are expected to know IDEA's complex regulations.

NEA establishes a special membership category for Paraprofessionals - the name is subsequently changed to Education Support Personnel (ESP).

1980

Educational Support Personnel (ESP) are voted full membership rights in NEA by the Representative Assembly.

1986

Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act - Lawmakers raise standards for school bus drivers, helping to maintain an excellent record of transporting students safely.

1990-91

NEA Representative Assembly - Resolutions are passed that highlight the essential role of ESPs in enhancing the learning environment and education process, and that recognizes their contributions as positive role models.

1994

National Skill Standards Act - This law establishes a National Skill Standards Board to oversee the development of a voluntary, industry-based national system of skill standards, assessments and credentials. The act lays the groundwork for national certification of paraprofessionals. Transporting

1997

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - This law guarantees the right of all students to educational opportunities, regardless of disability. IDEA affects all ESPs in the educational system, especially as students with disabilities are placed into general education classes.

1998

NEA Representative Assembly - Members adopt a resolution endorsing the professional development of ESPs and recognizing a need for the ESP voice to be represented in the planning, implementation and evaluation of their professional development programs.

2001

NEA Representative Assembly - Members vote to officially change the term "Education Support Personnel" to "Education Support Professional."

2002

Elementary Secondary Education Act - Known as the "No Child Left Behind" Initiative, this reauthorization requires that current and potential paraprofessionals must meet certain educational requirements or obtain stateapproved certification in order to perform their duties.

NEA Representative Assembly - Members vote to adopt a new Education Support Professional Quality Department with an operational and staffing budget. The RA also adopts a new core priority that focuses on professional quality for ESP members.

NEA's new Education Support Professional Quality department is officially recognized as its own department, separate from its original parent department, Affiliate Building Capacity.

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