Minority Community Outreach

In Support of Common Issues in Public Education

Highlights:

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The National Education Association was part of the Jobs for Justice rally that was organized by the National Action Network
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Bullying Emerges As a Contributing Factor: The Scourge of Suicides among American Indian and Alaska Native Youth
How are your students coping with the economic downturn? Invite them to join our discussion, and get one going in your classroom.
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After-School Programs Prove Key to Closing Gaps
How are your students coping with the economic downturn? Invite them to join our discussion, and get one going in your classroom.
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Desegregation pioneer Sylvia Mendez speaks out.


anc_dyn_links The National Education Association has a long, proud history of advocating for its members
anc_dyn_links NEA members believe that every child in the United States deserves a quality education, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, or immigration status.
anc_dyn_links Despite classroom gains made over the last several years, gaps in academic achievement persist.
anc_dyn_links NEA's Ethnic Minority Caucuses and their participation in the NEA Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee represents the interests and issues of their communities.
anc_dyn_links The face of American public education is rapidly changing. Today, ethnic minority students comprise nearly 40 percent of the population in our nation's schools.

The face of American public education is rapidly changing.

Today, ethnic minority students comprise nearly 40 percent of the population in our nation's schools. During the next 20 years, that figure may well reach 50 percent.

As the number of ethnic minority students increases, so do the challenges they face. Substantial gaps in achievement exist. Many attend schools that face the greatest educational, economic, and social challenges.

If we are to preserve and advance America's public schools, we must meet the needs of these children, support ethnic minority community commitment to public education, work collaboratively to improve the quality of their schools, and assure all children the education they need and deserve.

Every child deserves a quality education—regardless of race or ethnicity. Yet despite gains in recent years, significant gaps in academic achievement and opportunity remain for many racial and ethnic groups. NEA is working with partners and allies for:

Adequate and equitable school funding
Smaller classes
Increased teacher diversity and salaries
Improved curricula
Better programs for English language learners
Enhanced parental involvement

NEA and communities are working to ensure great public schools for every child.

Through Minority Community Outreach, NEA aspires to:

Strengthen relationships with current partners representing ethnic minority communities, and initiate new partnerships and/or projects around education and other issues of mutual interest.
Establish partnerships with ethnic minority communities to develop strategies to close the gaps in student achievement.
Develop and implement, in collaboration with community partners, an education campaign to challenge attacks on public education such as vouchers, privatization, and tuition tax credits.
In collaboration with community partners, advocate for sound public policy at the state, local, and national levels to reduce class size; secure adequate wages for teachers and education support professionals; promote programs that assist disadvantaged and English language learners; and address other critical issues.