Statement

Nation's Top Teacher Applauds Policy Change by U.S. Department of Education

National Education Association Leaders Pleased - But More Problems Must Be Addressed

WASHINGTON—Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association (NEA), applauded today’s announcement by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings that some schools and districts affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita would receive automatic waivers of sanctions under federal testing mandates, while others would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“We are pleased that the Secretary is providing flexibility to schools and students that have been devastated by the recent hurricanes,” said Weaver.

Secretary Spellings’ announcement that some schools and districts would automatically be protected against sanctions under the Adequate Yearly Progress provisions of the so-called No Child Left Behind law came in testimony before the Education and Workforce Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“It would be nearly impossible, and certainly unfair, to hold students who no longer have schools or for whom the school year will be truncated by half to testing measurements based on a full year of study,” said Weaver. “We urge the Secretary to consider extending the automatic waivers against further sanctions to all schools affected by the hurricanes, including those taking in displaced students.”

Although the 2.7-million-member NEA approved of today’s reconsideration by the Bush Administration, the NEA President made it clear that this was only the first of several policy changes that needed to be taken in response to Katrina. 

Among those additional concerns are federal mandates for meeting “highly qualified” status by teachers and paraprofessionals.

“When people don’t have homes, or power, or phone service, when colleges and universities have been closed, and requirements differ from state to state,  it’s difficult to see how educators can be expected to meet continuing education and professional development requirements by the end of this school year,” said Weaver.  “Let’s remember, in many cases educators are displaced as well.”

Weaver also expressed the Association’s concerns about the Bush Administration’s attempts to use the Katrina crisis to promote private school vouchers.  Even now, the Administration is trying to divert $488 million in hurricane relief dollars away from public schools directly to private schools.

“If their goal is to help children attending private schools,” said Weaver, “federal laws already exist that can allow that to happen for the limited purpose of meeting this current crisis. Setting up a new voucher program for private schools under the guise of Katrina recovery is unnecessary and very suspect.”  Weaver went on to say, “This amounts to nothing more than the Administration exploiting this crisis in an attempt to push through an unpopular and divisive social policy debate.”

Sept. 29, 2005

For More Information Contact:

Staci Maiers, NEA Public Relations   (202) 822-7150

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, college faculty, school administrators, education support professionals, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.