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Click "Read more" to view NEA President Van Roekel's testimony

Current budget plan does not go far enough to help all students succeed
By Alain Jehlen


March 17, 2010 — Testifying on Capitol Hill today, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said the education budget submitted by President Obama is “a mixed bag,” and called for major changes, most noteably to the Administration's plan for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. NEA does not support the Administration’s "blueprint" for reauthorization because it is based on the same flawed logic of No Child Left Behind—determining winners and losers based on test scores. “If we’re serious about creating a stronger foundation for America’s public schools, it’s important to get the blueprint right before it becomes policy," Van Roekel said.

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Newsweek.com

Diane Ravitch says piece is a 'stunning' 'rant'

March 17, 2010 -- On her blog yesterday, former Bush education adviser Diane Ravitch fought back at a Newsweek cover story that has touched off outrage among the nation's educators. In her rebuttal, Ravitch -- who in a recent book and related speaking engagments has said she was wrong about NCLB -- calls the piece "a flamboyant example of outright hostility to teachers, to the organizations that represent them, and to public education itself."

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photo by Kevin Lock

Pat Lortie from Indiana named 2010 C.L.E.A.N. Award Winner
By John Rosales

March 17, 2010 — As top recipient of the C.L.E.A.N. Award, presented at this past week’s 2010 NEA Education Support Professionals Conference in Las Vegas, Pat Lortie of Indiana took a moment to consider the significance. “This award is important because it enhances the image of custodians and stresses the importance of cleaning for health, not appearance,” Lortie said.

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What you don’t want to miss going on in the ed world

March 17 -- NEA President Dennis Van Roekel will be on the Patt Morrison show at 5:30 pm (EST) today to discuss President Obama's NCLB blueprint, along with Margaret Spellings and Rep. George Miller. Listen live here.

March 17 -- The U.S. Department of Treasury and the Department of Education announced $11 billion for qualified school construction bonds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Learn moe here.

Grab some coffee and check these out

NCLB reauthorization: The Obama Administration is trying to gain support for its plan to overhaul No Child Left Behind as education groups criticize the plan. Source: New York Times

Gender gap: A new study found that females outperformed males in reading in every state where state test results were available. Source: Education Week

Vouchers: The U.S. Senate voted against adding new students to the D.C. school voucher program. Source: Washington Post


Video of the Day: NEA President on NCLB Blueprint


Watch CBS News Videos Online

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel appeared on CBS News's "Washington Unplugged" earlier this week to discuss President Obama's blueprint to overhaul No Child Left Behind. Van Roekel talked about the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility for student achievement.

Interested in suggesting a video for Video of the Day? E-mail abuffenbarger@nea.org

 

 

 


Previous Stories

 3/16/10 Is This America's Youngest Organizer?
 3/15/10 Health Care Reform Heads to the Finish Line
 3/15/10 Kentucky School Bus Driver ESP of the Year
 3/13/10 Ravitch on NCLB: 'I Was Wrong'
 3/13/10 NEA President: Reauthorization Blueprint 'Disappointing'
 3/12/10 Florida Bill Ignores Advice, Warnings of Teachers
 3/11/10 Support Professionals Connect in Las Vegas
 3/10/10 NEA President Testifies to on ESEA Reform
   3/8/10 Teachers Lead the Way to School Reform in Los Angeles
   3/5/10 NEA President Talks Teacher Accountability at Celebration Conference
   3/4/10 Education Leaders: Collaboration the Key to Student Achievement
   3/4/10 Finding the Best Road to School Reform
   3/4/10 Ed Department Announces Race to the Top Finalists
   3/3/10 Gates Survey: Teachers Must Be Heard on School Reform
    
Looking for an older story? Check our archives here.



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THE BUZZ

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In the current issue of NEA Today, we look at programs in which teachers judge their colleagues. 

Go! — Tips and features for teachers in their first five years on the job.

This Active Life — Retired educators' political interests and personal passions.

Tomorrow's Teachers — Resources for those new to the teaching profession.

Higher Education Advocate — Trends, legislation, and news in post-secondary education.

Thought & Action — An enlightened balance between higher education theory and practice.