Resolutions
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2012 - 2013 NEA Resolutions (
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Last Upated: November 19, 2012
The Representative Assembly adopted all resolutions and the Report of the Resolutions Committee with the following actions:
I-13. Civil Rights
Amendment defeated
J-3. Membership Participation in the Association
Amendment adopted
Amend by addition and deletion on page 12, line 28 of the committee report:
[Local] Members participating in local, state, and national association activities must be free from all forms of bullying.
A-35. School Restructuring
Amendment defeated
New A. Collaborative Relationships
Amendment defeated
B-11. Class Size
Amendment referred to the Resolutions Committee
Amend by addition as follows:
The National Education Association believes that excellence in the classroom can best be attained by small class size.
The Association also believes in an optimum class size of fifteen students and a maximum unique teacher/student contact ratio of no greater than 150 students for teachers of core content areas (English, math, science, history) in regular programs and a proportionately lower number in programs for students with exceptional needs. Class size maximums must be based on the type of students, subject area content, physical facilities, and other criteria. Weighted class size formulas should be implemented to reflect the inclusion of exceptional students. State departments of education should collect and report class size data that reflect the class size experienced by most students.
B-49. Environmental Education
Amendment referred to the Resolutions Committee
Amend by addition as follows:
The National Education Association believes that the environment must be protected. The Association urges the establishment and maintenance of federal wilderness areas, recreational areas, refuge areas, and designated local green areas. The Association supports educational programs that promote—
a. The concept of the interdependence of humanity and nature
b. An awareness of the effects of past, present, and future population growth patterns on world civilization, human survival, and the environment
c. The protection of endangered, threatened, and rare species
d. The protection of the Earth’s finite resources
e. Solutions to environmental problems such as nonrenewable resource depletion, pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, and acid precipitation and deposition
f. The use of reusable and recyclable products and discourage the use of disposable products, especially reducing single-use plastic
g. An understanding of energy, alternative energy sources, and energy conservation
h. The use of disposal methods that do not contaminate the environment, including on-site food composting to build soil for school gardens
i. The recognition of and participation in such activities as Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Energy Education Day
j. The understanding of the value of the world’s ecosystems through Ecoliteracy on the promotion of sustainable practices.
k. The integration of outdoor education into pre-K through 12 curricula. Outdoor education should include a component that occurs in the outdoor environment
l. The understanding of our petroleum-based industrial food system and alternatives for sustainable agriculture.
m. Appropriate vocational training to prepare secondary students for careers in the Green Jobs sector to build a sustainable society.
The Association also believes that it should model in its policies and practices the environmental concepts and education programs it supports. The Association also urges its affiliates to model and support environmental programs in school systems and educational institutions and supports legislation and local policies that ensure a safe and healthy environment.
C-25. Comprehensive School Health, Social, and Psychological Programs and Services
Amendment defeated
D-2. Teacher Preparation Programs: Recruitment
Amendment adopted as modified
Amend by addition as follows:
The National Education Association believes that strong programs of teacher recruitment are necessary to maintain and enhance the teaching profession. Such programs should emphasize the recruitment of underrepresented candidates and should include a policy of affirmative recruitment and should encourage incoming teachers to engage in the work of the Association. Preteaching programs and recruitment efforts should be developed at high schools and community/junior colleges in conjunction with institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs. These efforts should include the active participation of practicing pre-K through adult education teachers.
The Association also believes that individuals interested in teaching as a career should attend institutions accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Counselors and advisers should inform students of the advantages of attending NCATE-accredited institutions.
Federally financed loan and grant programs should be established to encourage students to become professional educators. Progressive forgiveness of the loan should be based upon the number of years of professional service.
Grants should be secured from both public and private sources to assist students planning to pursue a career in education.
COMMENTS: