NEA Victories in the 109th Congress

Despite a highly partisan Congress and the general anti-public education slant of many members of Congress, NEA secured a number of victories for public education during the 109th Congress. These victories were achieved using a comprehensive strategy targeted at retaining support of Democrats while working with moderate Republicans, as well as conservative Republicans with an interest in a particular issue, to either pass or block legislation. 

• Educator Tax Deduction - NEA secured a two-year extension of the $250 above-the-line deduction for educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses.
   
• QZABs - NEA secured a two-year extension of the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program, which helps renovate and modernize school facilities. 
  
  
• Vouchers - NEA successfully blocked an extension of the private school voucher program for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.  As a result, the voucher program ended in September 2006.
  
  
• Estate Tax - NEA and our allies waged an intensive grassroots and lobbying campaign that resulted in the defeat of a plan to repeal the estate tax permanently. Permanent repeal would cause states to lose billions of dollars that could be spent on education and other priorities.  
  
  
• Social Security Privatization - Despite a major push by the Administration, Congress retreated on Social Security privatization, due to intense pressure from NEA and other groups that rallied significant grassroots opposition to privatization. 
  
  
• Career and Technical Education - NEA blocked the President's plan to eliminate all funding for career and technical education. As a result, the House and Senate voted to reauthorize career and technical education with almost no opposition. The reauthorization bill also reflected a number of substantive NEA priorities. 
  
  
• Paraprofessional "Highly Qualified" Requirements - NEA secured an extension of the deadline for paraprofessionals to meet NCLB's "highly qualified" requirements from January 8, 2006, to the end of the 2005-2006 school year. 
  
  
• "S" Endorsement for Bus Drivers - NEA secured a one-year extension of the deadline for school bus drivers to receive the "S" endorsement on their drivers' licenses. The extension averted potential disruptions in school transportation and school closings as several state Departments of Motor Vehicles were not prepared to administer required tests to drivers. 
  
  
• E-Rate - NEA secured two consecutive one-year extensions of an exemption from accounting rules that had stopped E-Rate funds from flowing. The exemption has allowed funds for Internet access to continue flowing uninterrupted to schools and libraries.
   
• Education Technology - NEA helped launch a campaign with major high-tech companies to save education technology funding for states. As a result, the program, which was slated for elimination by the Administration, survived for 2006.
  
  
• High School Testing - NEA blocked Administration proposals to mandate two additional years of testing in high schools under the No Child Left Behind Act. 
  
  
• GEAR-UP and TRIO - NEA saved the GEAR-UP program and two TRIO initiatives, all of which were targeted for elimination by the Administration. GEAR-UP and TRIO provide valuable resources and assistance to encourage low-income students to apply to and remain in postsecondary education programs.