News Release

Annual Banquet Provides Grants for Public Schools

National Council of Urban Education Associations Holds Annual Banquet

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the National Education Association’s Urban Grants Program, Reg Weaver, NEA president, awarded 25 grants to local affiliates to help provide a great public school for every child.

This year’s grant winners were announced at the National Council of Urban Education Associations annual banquet.  The organization is a caucus of local NEA affiliates which is dedicated to strengthening quality teaching and learning in urban public schools.

“Particularly at a time when Congressional spending on education is under attack, this program will enhance professional and learning opportunities for educators and students in urban areas,” Weaver said.  “These grants will provide innovative approaches to education and the learning process.”

Established in 1985, NEA’s Urban Grants Program has supported hundreds of local affiliates in the development of education reform programs in America’s public schools.
Each year competition is open to all NEA local affiliates.

“It is vital that we remain committed to funding and supporting programs that enhance teaching and public education,” Weaver said.  “Through the Urban Grants Program and similar projects, we will continue to ensure that every child has access to a great public school.”

The complete list of grant winners with brief summaries of their projects is available on NEA's Web site.

Dec. 1, 2005

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CONTACT:
Jasmine Lyons   (202) 822-7228, jlyons@nea.org

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.