New Business Items
New Business Items Under Consideration at the 2009 Representative Assembly
How RA Today Tracks NBIs, Amendments
Proposed new amendments to the Bylaws and Standing Rules are published in full in the RA Today and on the NEA RA Action web site. No amendments to the Constitution will be considered this year.
If this discussion on the RA Floor changes any text in these amendments, revised text will be posted. Note: Proposed deletions to the text appear in [brackets] and proposed additions are underscored.
The early NBIs submitted this year appear on this page, which will be updated to include the full text of all NBIs submitted by delegates in San Diego, California.
When first published, each NBI will include its relevant strategic goal or operational service area, as well as the preliminary estimate of the cost of each item and whether the item is covered in the proposed strategic plan and budget. Delegates should also note that, per Standing Rule 6.k, adopting an NBI does not include approval of any appropriations. Once an NBI has been acted upon, RA Today will record the action taken but not reprint the entire new business item text, unless the item has been amended during the RA floor debate. The full text of all enacted NBIs will be posted here no later than July 7.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM A
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
NEA will develop and implement an action plan in collaboration with targeted state and local affiliates, and in service to the Association's Mission and Vision, to inform and influence President Obama's proposal to turn around 5,000 schools with $5 billion in five years beginning in the fall of 2010. The plan shall include but not be limited to the following actions:
1. Advance the seven criteria adopted by NEA for great public schools; these refer to the seven elements needed for closing achievement and other learning gaps and improving learning and achievement for all students, which are: readiness to learn, high expectations, quality conditions, qualified staff, accountability, parental involvement, and funding;
2. Develop success indicators beyond standardized tests while making sure that curricula promote the development of 21st Century Skills;
3. Provide full inclusion of all staff affected in decision-making on policy and fiscal matters and that the local Association must be involved in any discussions regarding school reorganization, including but not limited to, charter school conversion;
4. Protect contractual and legal rights of NEA members;
5. Advocate the staffing of priority schools with fully certified, experienced, and caring teachers, education support professionals, and administrators;
6. Develop and invest in high quality professional development in priority school sites that includes National Board Certification;
7. Build the capacity of local affiliates to partner with higher education institutions and others to assure success for all in strengthening our nation's priority schools; and
8. Tell the story to America of the importance of unions in assuring great public schools for every
student.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM B
ADOPTED
The NEA will review and revise where appropriate the NEA action plan for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). NEA urges Congress and the Obama Administration to enact new federal educational policy with a new name. Legislation is needed that embodies the spirit of the original ESEA under President Lyndon Johnson which focused on equitable programs and funding for the education of poor children in America. The NEA will support a plan that moves beyond a "one-size fits all" model of accountability and provides support to schools serving our most at-risk students. Additional consideration should be given to expanding the support of both urban and rural poor children beyond education programs by connecting community services and resources to negate the effects of poverty on learning as well as recognition of the additional needs of English Language Learners.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM C
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
NEA will zealously advocate for national health care reform that is consistent with the policies, resolutions, and legislative programs of the NEA and its state affiliates. In the current political context, this advocacy will stress the urgency of quality, comprehensive, affordable health care for all that includes a public health care plan option and does not tax employer- or government-provided benefits for actively employed and retired residents. Furthermore, NEA will educate its affiliates and members on the necessity and value of comprehensive health care reform as described above.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM D
ADOPTED
The NEA affirms the crucial importance of Census 2010. As a national Census partner, NEA shall play a leadership role in ensuring a fair and accurate census through such actions as:
1. Working with allied coalitions such as the Learning First Alliance to foster national partnerships among the Census Bureau and its constituent groups so as to expand coverage of Census 2010 across the major education association Web sites, print media and online social networks to encourage joint projects and local event coordination.
2. Providing model Web site templates with links to key Census Bureau information such as talking points, articles, fact sheets, regional office and partnership program contacts, and access to the Bureau's Census In Schools and employment Web sites.
3. Targeting assistance to schools in or near "hard to count" census tracts and identifying resources to ensure that home language materials and technical assistance are available in communities impacted by poverty and concentrations of minority group or non-English speaking populations.
4. Encouraging NEA's state and local affiliates to become Census partners and work to ensure that all educators, current and retired, are represented in local Complete Count Committees and have the opportunity to become employed as enumerators.
5. Coordinating the provision of Census Bureau materials and speakers at NEA regional conferences and state summer leadership meetings and through the NEA booth at national partnership organization conferences.
6. Conducting a midterm evaluation of NEA's Census 2010 partnership activities to provide the basis for adjusting Association assistance to align with the Bureau's post-enumeration work, this concludes in December 2010.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM E
ADOPTED
Resolutions B-13 (Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identification Discrimination) and I-13 (Civil Rights) set forth NEA's opposition to the discriminatory treatment of same-sex couples and its belief that such couples should have the same legal rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples. The Legislative Program is in accord: NEA supports "obtaining, preserving, and strengthening basic civil and human rights under law," and specifically calls for "passage of a federal statute prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression." Section IV(b). In implementation of the foregoing policies, the Representative Assembly adopts the following action plan with regard to same-sex couples:
1. NEA will support its affiliates seeking to enact state legislation that guarantees to same-sex couples the right to enter into a legally recognized relationship pursuant to which they have the same rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples, including, without limitation, rights and benefits with regard to medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration.
2. NEA does not believe that a single term must be used to designate this legally recognized "equal treatment" relationship, and recommends that each state decide for itself whether "marriage," "civil union," "domestic partnership," or some other term is most appropriate based upon the cultural, social, and religious values of its citizenry.
3. NEA will support its affiliates in opposing state constitutional and/or statutory provisions that could have the effect of prohibiting the state and its political subdivisions from providing the same rights and benefits to same-sex couples as are provided to similarly-situated heterosexual couples.
4. NEA will take such actions as may be appropriate to support efforts to (a) repeal any federal legislation and/or regulations that discriminate against same-sex couples, and (b) enact federal legislation and/or regulations that treat same-sex couples and similarly-situated heterosexual couples equally with regard to social security, health care, taxation, and other federal rights and benefits.
5. NEA recognizes that the term "marriage" has religious connotations and that same-sex marriages may not be compatible with the beliefs, values, and/or practices of certain religions. Because of its support for the separation of church and state and the right to religious freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, NEA supports the right of religious institutions to refuse to perform or recognize same-sex marriages.
The Executive Committee will monitor the implementation of this New Business Item, and keep NEA affiliates informed of actions taken to achieve its objectives.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 1
ADOPTED
NEA will continue to inform its members of the repercussions of cyber bullying.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 2
ADOPTED
That NEA request the United States Congress and/or the appropriate federal administration to initiate an unbiased definitive study to be conducted on vaccinated and unvaccinated children to support or refute the correlation between the cumulative effects of vaccinations and learning problems and any associated health problems.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 3
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
Move to direct the NEA Board of Directors to develop a suitable commemoration for the decades of service and brilliant legal advice of Bob Chanin.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 4
ADOPTED
The NEA will collect information about the promotion of NEA UniServ staff preparation programs to the state affiliates and strategies for promotion within the state affiliates. This information will be distributed to at least the NEA Board, State Presidents, and State UniServ Managers or their equivalents.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 5
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
The NEA, in cooperation with other appropriate organizations, will continue to develop recommendations and materials on preparation for and responses to the possible spread of H1N1 virus and other communicable diseases, including the use of hand sanitizers in classrooms and school buses and voluntary flu shots available at schools.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 6
ADOPTED
NEA shall provide $50,000 to support member attendance at the EPA Indoor Air quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools National Symposium in January 2010. These dollars will provide scholarships for NEA members to attend the 31/2 day training which includes a pre-symposium day. During the pre-symposium day leadership training will be provided on how to organize and activate members around IAQ issues. This day will be developed and presented by NEA HIN staff.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 7
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
To help state affiliates be more effective in opposing funding for charter schools that do not meet NEA criteria for support, the NEA will publicize and promote, to state affiliates, our NEA policy on charter schools found in Resolution A-32 and the charter school policy adopted by the 2001 Representative Assembly and amended in 2007.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8
ADOPTED
NEA Reads the Declaration of Independence is a video featuring NEA members from around the country reading the words from the Declaration of Independence. We request that the film by MTA-NEA member Bill Coleman be played at the RA lunch break on 7/4 with a 4 minute preview played at the RA prior.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 9
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
I move that the NEA Teacher Quality Department develop an online tool kit which will outline procedures, strategies, materials and resources to support the creation of middle and high school teacher recruitment programs that encourage students to think seriously about a teaching profession. This information could be gathered from any state or local affiliate with currently active chapters or clubs. This tool kit will be promoted and disseminated through the Teacher Quality Department using available online sources they would deem most appropriate.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 10
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED AND REFERRED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING REVIEW COMMITTEE
I move that NEA supports adding a strand (not less than 1 full day) on Men's Issues to the existing Women's and Minorities Conference, including appropriate promotion of this Men's Issues Conference.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 11
RULED OUT OF ORDER
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 12
REFERRED TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
NEA will aggressively organize and lead a proactive movement within and beyond our Association to promote a pro-public and learner-centered approach to school improvement, based on the principles incorporated in Great Public Schools for Every Student by 2020. NEA will actively counter flawed approaches to school improvement based on privatization, standardization, and behaviorism (extrinsic punishment and rewards) which undermine the principles we hold for our public schools.
Strategies will include intense, sustained, high profile advocacy designed to communicate why our learner-centered strategies are the best way to truly help every student thrive in a democratic society and diverse changing world. These strategies may include, but are not limited to:
- major policy speeches at forums including the National Press Club, major network and public broadcasting news and commentary programs, major news and education publications, etc.
- action oriented member trainings at major NEA events and conferences. These will include talking points and supporting materials designed to empower members to communicate why GPS 2020 school transformation will work and expose problems associated with privatized, standardized, and behaviorist approaches.
- development of strategic coalitions and activities with supportive organizations and academia.
- identification and utilization of local leaders with specific strengths and skills who can grow this movement.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 13
ADOPTED
NEA publicize to its members the misinformation and anti-reform actions of health insurance companies, vis-.-vis national health care reform.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 14
ADOPTED
That NEA Interactive Media and the department/persons responsible for the NEA website work with NEA Government Relations to make sure that repeal of the Social Security Offsets (GPO-WEP) is clearly presented as a top legislative priority of the NEA on the NEA website.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 15
ADOPTED
To strengthen NEA's campaign to repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, NEA shall: (1) Work to engage all 50 state affiliates in NEA's grassroots initiative; and (2) Increase coalition work, including increasing outreach to other national unions and organizations and encouraging NEA affiliates to work with local affiliates of NEA national partners.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 16
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA shall oppose any initiative to greatly expand the growth of charter schools and assist its state affiliates in identifying any effective practices incubated therein that could subsequently be implemented in our traditional public schools. By no means should this effort conflict with the ongoing and necessary work of organizing charter school teachers, nor should it conflict with charter schools that meet NEA guidelines.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 17
ADOPTED
NEA will enhance its outreach efforts to the Association's one million Republican members with the goal of advancing a pro-public education agenda within the Republican Party. Specifically, NEA will convene an annual conference for NEA Republican leaders from across the country to provide training and build grassroots organizing skills. NEA will also produce updated materials to assist Republican members in taking leadership roles in their local and state Republican Party and influencing Party policy positions. NEA staff will provide training for Republican leaders at NEA Regional Conferences and other appropriate Association meetings.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 18
ADOPTED
NEA make available for all members resources that would include a short video and written materials of how to successfully conduct meetings using Roberts Rules of Order and Parliamentary Procedures. The resources will be disseminated using current NEA communication vehicles.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 19
ADOPTED
I move that the NEA provide space for Alcoholics Anonymous to hold daily meetings at the RA.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 20
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
Using existing communication vehicles (including NEA today and the NEA website) the NEA will work with Education International to publish updates on the attacks on academic freedom internationally in such places as Japan, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Mexico and other nations.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 21
ADOPTED
Using existing communication vehicles, the NEA will publish an update on the issue of equal access of college and career recruiter, to military recruiters in secondary schools as it applies to section 9528 of NCLB, and encourage school districts to set parameters to comply with the law.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 22
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
I move that NEA again make the case for recess, playtime, and physical education for all students, in order to reduce "Attentional Fatigue" and to help improve academic performance and physical fitness. Physical education and activity is essential for all students.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 23
DEFEATED
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 24
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
I move that NEA urge local school districts, state governments, and Congress to revisit the U. S. Department of Agriculture's support of school lunches in order to improve basic nutritional standards and to encourage incorporation of locally produced foods in the nation's school lunch program.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 25
SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED
NEA will collect information to assess the strengths and weakness of merit pay and through existing NEA publications will disseminate this information to its members.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 26
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
I move that NEA through its programs, publications and affiliates promote and publicize the impact of the achievement gaps on the state and national economies.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 27
OBJECT TO CONSIDERATION
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 28
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA will use current communication methods to inform legislators who are members of the legislative Career Technical Education (CTE) caucus about the negative impact of the Social Security offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) on career technical education programs in recruitment and retention of teachers for a second career.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 29
ADOPTED
Move that NEA contact each state affiliate that represents substitute teachers, and request they protect experienced substitute teacher positions.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 30
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA will organize our state affiliates to restore teacher control of the curriculum and influence over Title 1 funds. NEA will use its resources and provide locals with statistical assistance.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 31
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
The NEA will publicize and seek members' participation in the campaign for the defense of labor and human rights in Iran and for the release of the recently arrested Iranian trade union leaders, including Ali-Reza Hashami of the Teachers Organization of Iran. NEA should continue to work with Education International to publicize and support Iranian teachers and trade unions.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 32
ADOPTED
NEA will use existing communication tools (NEA Today and the NEA website) to inform its members about the Special Olympics campaign to "Spread the Word to End the Word" and encourage NEA members to resolve to stop using the word retard(ed) as slang in a derogatory or negative context.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 33
DEFEATED
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 34
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
The RA directs NEA, through existing methods such as the NEA website and other electronic communication, to encourage, support and share the efforts of state affiliates to promote union pride.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 35
DEFEATED
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 36
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA will work with state affiliates to recognize and advocate for discipline-specific arts certification/licensure, i.e. Dance, Drama/Theatre, Music and Visual Arts.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 37
ADOPTED
NEA will collect information from state affiliates about High Quality Early Childhood Programs in the states. NEA will publish an article highlighting some of these High Quality Early Childhood in Districts across the nation in the NEA Today.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 38
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA will work with the Department of Labor in order to review and modernize the definitions of "teacher" and all other education professionals in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT).
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 39
ADOPTED
NEA, through the NEA Health Information Network, will provide information to NEA members about adult vaccines and the immunization schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 40
REFERRED TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS AMENDED
The NEA will publicize our continued commitment to quality universal public education. We oppose any efforts to restructure the U.S. educational system or local educational units on any basis that would allow schools to "cherry pick" students or institute separate and unequal educational models which could lead to further marginalization and segregation of student populations.
Additionally, the NEA will publicize the fact that the vast majority of Americans support the maintenance of a transparent, publicly accountable and quality universal public education system, and believe that certified, experienced, and dedicated public school educators are most qualified to lead innovations in educational progress that further social justice.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 41
ADOPTED
That at the earliest opportunity, NEA will return to having one combined pension & health benefits forum. In addition, NEA will investigate alternative, economical locations for this forum.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 42
ADOPTED
In response to the ever increasing attacks on public pensions, the NEA will take a leadership role in organizing all public pension stakeholders in developing a nation-wide action plan to protect, preserve and promote public pensions across the country.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 43
RULED OUT OF ORDER
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 44
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA will work with all local and state affiliates to develop a strategy to defend ethnic studies programs that the state legislatures are trying to limit or ban. The NEA will also publicize a story about this issue through any available communications channels in order to bring awareness to what is happening in states such as Arizona. Additionally, the NEA will provide legal and organizational support to any state and local affiliates that are defending and/or expanding ethnic studies programs.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 45
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA will develop a guide to assist state affiliates and locals in promoting and advocating for adult education needs to meet the needs of dropouts, ELLs, refugees, immigrants and ex-offenders.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 46
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
The NEA will reconvene the national task force on 'pushouts' (mislabeled 'dropouts') initially implemented by the NEA in 2006.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 47
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
The NEA - in keeping with its 150-year mission to provide educational equality for all will urgently address the alarming decline in achievement of our male students versus our female students, as reflected in the latest U.S. Department of Education statistics on both college acceptances and college degrees awarded.
In response to this, the NEA: 1) publicize its support of any and all actions, administrative efforts, and legislation aimed at reversing the above trend; and 2) will take action on its own to confront this problem, and thus, further underscore NEA's commitment by funding its own low-cost study of the causes and potential remedies for the problem of the growing gender gap in education.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 48
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
Through existing NEA communications vehicles, the NEA will work to end the serious growing problem of sexting in schools. The NEA will help Local affilitates to inform and implement strategies to educate all stakeholders about the irrevocable damage sexting causes to all involved, especially the subject(s) of the sexting.
I move that the NEA will work with law enforcement officials to design an electronic information kit that will include: handouts for students and parents about the ramifications (both legal and social) of inappropriate uses of technology such as "sexting," information for school employees about the dangers of social networks in terms of employment, and a "powerpoint" presentation for local leaders that covers both areas of content.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 49
ADOPTED
NEA will work with its local and state affiliates to produce and publish (within existing NEA publications) a budget projection for public education to accompany advocacy for NEA policy A-15 Federal Financial Support for Education. This budget will be updated every four years and help determine the level of federal aid/resources needed by each state to provide an equal and quality public education.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 50
DEFEATED
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 51
APPENDED TO NBI 48
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 52
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
The NEA, through UniServ and Local Presidents and state and national professional fine arts education associations, will contact and conduct an e-survey of its fine arts teachers. The purpose of this e-survey will be to identify changes in staffing, work conditions, and budgetary considerations for fine arts programs in districts over the past three years. The NEA will report out the results of this e-survey through standard means available to the NEA.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 53
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA will advocate for the Department of Education to prioritize National Standards to have all school district property including school busses to be cleaned for health, and maintained at a high level with quality hygienic, environmentally friendly supplies for frequent and efficient school district custodial services.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 54
DEFEATED
I move that this NEA set aside 10 tables for the HCR Banquet for the 1st time ESP delegates.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 55
DEFEATED
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 56
ADOPTED
The NEA will provide delegates and members the option to receive NEA printed material in an electronic format. The exceptions being legal material required to be transmitted in paper form, RA materials that cannot be provided electronically in a timely manner, and other items that cannot be digitized: i.e., badges.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 57
DEFEATED
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 58
REFERRED TO NEA PRESIDENT
Request that NEA President Van Roekel write a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan asking Secretary Duncan to clarify his remarks about testing and teacher effectiveness made to the Representative Assembly on July 2, 2009.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 59
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
I move that NEA through its programs, publications and affiliates promote and publicize how the dropout indicators of non-school attendance behavior issues, and poor academic achievement in elementary and middle school impact students dropping out in high school.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 60
ADOPTED
That NEA will add a membership code for the purpose of indentifying Institutional Teachers, (Educators in non-traditional settings such as: correctional facilities, state schools for vision or hearing impaired students, alternative schools, adult education). This additional code shall begin with the 2010-11 membership year.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 61
ADOPTED
NEA will investigate establishing the processes for a basic recognition and authorization of NEA special interest caucuses, that ensures the proper use of caucuses' funds.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 62
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
Using existing resources, NEA will initiate and lead a national dialogue among its members and key education stakeholders regarding national goals designed to transform our public schools and ensure all students are prepared to thrive in a democratic society and diverse changing world. NEA will use its resources and influence to assure practioners are fully included as participants and authors in the creation of any new national standards and educational goals.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 63
ADOPTED
That NEA make available to all states the current ELL module and that a new module be developed for on-going professional development in cutting edge research, secondary and post-secondary environments, links to community outreach, for ELL.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 64
DEFEATED
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 65
ADOPTED
That the NEA Executive Director submit a report to the NEA Board of Directors on the plans and timeline to institutionalize the current ELL Project into the NEA structure no later than at its December 2009 meeting and that the report be given to the delegates to the 2010 NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 66
DEFEATED
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 67
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
That NEA directs the NEA UniServ Advisory committee and Budget Committee to evaluate the current dues transmittal process and to investigate the greater efficiency of keeping dues dollar at the local level.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 68
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
That the NEA Representative Assembly go on record in support of preserving all collective bargaining rights of all its members. Further, that NEA notify the East Providence Rhode Island School Committee that its unilateral imposition of salary and benefit cuts is unfair, unacceptable, and antithetical to collective bargaining.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 69
ADOPTED
The NEA go on record in support of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) in their organizing drive to represent workers in the new Delta Airlines.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 70
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
The NEA shall encourage NEA Member Benefits to be aggressive in seeking for its members major discounts at nationally recognized health clubs at the state and local levels.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 71
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
NEA will work through Education International to promote a focus on, and celebration of, children and their education through making NEA members aware of countries which have holidays that celebrate children.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 72
RULED OUT OF ORDER
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 73
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
With information obtained from NEA legal services: While maintaining confidentiality as appropriate, through normal means of communication, NEA will report to the 2010 RA major instances of educator maltreatment by school districts in which the state affiliate became involved.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 74
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
In states that pilot programs promoted by Marc Tucker, NEA will work with affiliates to ensure that these programs do not contain elements contrary to NEA policy, such as contract schools operated by private parties, contracting out of ESP jobs, an increased emphasis on high stakes testing, reducing the total number of years of schooling for most students, or tracking that may adversely affect ethnic minority students.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 75
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
The NEA, through its existing publications, will run a series of articles around innovative mathematic instructional models, such as the Milwaukee Mathematic Partnership (MMP), that have increased student achievement, supported professional development, and created collaboration opportunities between key stakeholders.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 76
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA will gather and disseminate existing research that speaks to the effects of school reconstitution and will assist state and local affiliates in combating such efforts when and wherever they arise. This will be accomplished using existing communications vehicles.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 77
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA shall encourage and promote the appropriate documentation needed to ensure that funding provided to individual school districts in states as provided through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) is appropriately utilized as originally designated, via a higher level of awareness using current NEA communications.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 78
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
That NEA recommend to its State Associations that "Juneteenth," a celebration by many African American communities that acknowledges the end of over 200 years of slavery in the United States, be placed on their written and electronic calendars. This day is June 19.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 79
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
NEA will research the creation of electronic means for unrepresented educators such as part-time and contingent faculty to communicate, share information and facilitate organizing.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 80
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
The RA directs NEA to publish studies in current publications that show great strides that character education can make in school environments and project forward into communities. The publication will include best resources for character education and recommended steps to add and improve these programs to schools for a school-wide effort to develop the character traits their schools decide to emphasize.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 81
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
As we move to reauthorize ESEA - direct NEA to create and publish a simplified language-accessible resource to improve and increase parental involvement in their child's education.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 82
ADOPTED
NEA through its programs, publication and affiliates promote and publicize the importance of the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 83
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
The NEA will examine our dues structure for the purpose of determining the feasibility of creating a new dues level for members who have an annual income that is $2000 or less.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 84
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
In an effort to promote the NEA Foundation Teachers of Excellence Program, the NEA will examine the feasibility of honoring the current year NEA Foundation Teachers of Excellence finalists at the NEA Representative Assembly.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 85
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITEE AS MODIFIED
That the NEA form a committee made up of both Special Education, General Education teachers and Education Support Professionals to help NEA prepare for, strategize, and support appropriate language in the Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 86
REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
The NEA will encourage affiliates to support the Veteran History Project of the American Folklife Center.
NEW BUSINESS ITEM 87
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
NEA shall provide up to $50,000 to support members' attendance at the NEA Representative Assembly for educators from rural and small school communities entitled to one or less local delegate to the NEA RA in a process to be determined by NEA. These dollars will provide scholarships to cover the costs of travel, meals, and accomodations for elected delegates. Scholarship moneys shall be divided equally by the number of applications received with a max of two per state affiliate and each scholarship shall not exceed $1,500 or the amount given to fund a delegate from the applicant's state affiliate if it is less than $1,500. Total scholarship money from any and all combined sources for any single applicant shall not exceed the state affiliate's allocation for a funded delegate.
