News Release

Assaults on Education, Other Quality of Life Issues Threaten Rights of Children and Families

OXNARD, CA -- Speaking at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 76th Anniversary Gala Salute to Educators this evening, the President of the National Education Association (NEA), Reg Weaver praised the ongoing relationship between LULAC and NEA. Weaver stressed the importance of the long-standing partnership in the fight to improve public education, not only in California, but across the nation.

Weaver told the audience, gathered to recognize the contributions of outstanding local educators, that LULAC and NEA have worked together for years on quality of life issues such as education, adequate health care, and public safety.

"Education is the most basic of civil rights: The right to a quality public education is the enabling right, the prerequisite to fully exercising all other rights that are our birthright as American citizens," Weaver said.

According to Weaver, at no other time in our nation's history has public education been under greater and more persistent attack. He cited the unfunded mandates of the No Child Left Behind law, looming state budget deficits, and dwindling human and fiscal resources as serious threats to public education.

He said groups like LULAC and NEA must continue to work together to defeat so-called reforms like California Propositions 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78 that hurt children and families and do nothing to help ensure the right of every child to attend a great public school.

Weaver said that while progress has been made over the years, there are still gaps.

"Too many Latino students do not have access to college prep courses and far too many talented Latino students do not go on to college," according to Weaver. "We can and must insist that this nation do better by our children and young people." 

Oct. 21, 2005

For More Information Contact:

Denise Cardinal, NEA Public Relations, (202) 822-7239

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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 educator and students preparing to become teaches.