Fighting for Kids' Civil Rights

Alaska NEA-Alaska (NEA-AK) has joined a lawsuit that charges the state with violating its constitution by not investing in adequate K–12 education for all students and by treating "children of differing circumstances differently." The plaintiffs are asking that the court order a cost analysis of a constitutionally "adequate" education, and then require the state to foot the bill.

The money's there. While Alaska has enjoyed unparalleled wealth over the past 20 years, the state has systematically reduced investment in education.

At stake in this case, says NEA-AK President Bill Bjork, are  both "resource development"—economic prosperity linked to a well-educated workforce—and basic civil rights. "Here we are, 50 years after Brown struck down school desegregation," Bjork notes, "and huge numbers of children in Alaska still don't have access to an equal education." 

Jerseyans Win Pension Suit

New Jersey In fiscal years 2004 and 2005, the state failed to make approximately $1.156 billion in contributions to the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). Six active and retired TPAF members and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) filed a lawsuit in response, prompting the state Superior Court to rule that fund members have a contractual right to payment of those contributions and that the state violated this contract. The court also found the state guilty of violating, among other things, the New Jersey Constitution and state balanced budget requirements.

NJEA pledges to "continue the fight" if the state appeals this ruling.

No-Grief Grievance Process

Georgia Life's not easy without a state bargaining law. After a long, exhausting lobbying campaign, the Clayton County Education Association (CCEA) has persuaded its school board to ratify a district policy giving education support professionals a "protected" channel—free of reprisals—for filing grievances. Clayton ESPs will now enjoy the same appeal rights as certified teachers.

For the full story on this ESP rights campaign.

Teachers Know Best!

Louisiana The Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE) has made it official policy: The teaching profession "must be self-governed" by an autonomous state standards board, with both an elected teacher majority and "fully funded staff and resources to accomplish tasks."

Now LAE is working to turn policy into reality. "Teachers know best what is required to be effective in the classroom," stresses LAE President Carol Davis. "They should be given a stronger voice in determining the appropriate standards needed for licensing."

Californians Confront NCLB 

California State-released Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) scores—required by the so-called No Child Left Behind law (NCLB)—"should not be allowed to mask the fact that many schools lack basic resources to provide students with the education they deserve," California Teachers Association (CTA) President Barbara E. Kerr recently told the press.

NEA's largest state affiliate doesn't mince words about NCLB. The law "focuses on the wrong priorities for our schools by wasting billions of dollars on paperwork, bureaucracy, and more standardized testing," said Kerr, "rather than giving kids what they really need to succeed: smaller class sizes, up-to-date materials, and quality teachers." 

ESPs Block Privatization

Illinois For more than a year, the Dundee Association of Transportation Employees (DATE) has bargained and campaigned locally to prevent privatization of bus service in Community School District 300. It's paid off with a new two-year contract that keeps transportation work in-house, prevents a pay cut, and maintains insurance coverage.

These 200 drivers reached a compromise by packing school board meetings and walking bus routes to talk up what they do. Their best argument: an indisputable record as hard-working employees and members of the community.

A Win for Minnesota Voters

Minnesota Education Minnesota, the League of Women Voters, and other groups have blocked proposed rule changes that would have hindered voter turnout. Compromise legislation preserves one of the nation's best voter registration systems. Minnesota law allows registration on Election Day.

Strikes Begone!

Washington What a difference a year makes. Last year, Washington Education Association (WEA) members were forced into bitter strikes in Lake Stevens and Marysville, setting a state record in the latter dispute—50 grueling days on the picket line. But as the 2004–05 school year began, WEA settled the vast majority of its contacts, most amicably.

In most cases, school employees negotiated locally funded increases in their pay and benefits. Many local affiliates negotiated help with increasingly heavy workloads. And improved student achievement was a top issue in some districts—such as in Seattle, where the new contract focuses on eliminating the achievement gap for struggling kids.