CONTACT: Will Potter   (202) 822-7823

June 14, 2006

Nearly 9,000 Teachers and Education Support Professionals Will Meet to Tackle Critical Issues Facing Public Education 

NEA’s Annual Meeting includes the largest democratic decision-making body in the world 

WASHINGTON -- Thousands of educators from around the country will gather in Orlando, Fla., this month to share their experiences and shape the National Education Association’s policies on the top challenges facing public education.

As part of NEA’s Annual Meeting, nearly 9,000 delegates will take part in NEA’s Representative Assembly, the largest democratic decision-making body in the world. Every year, teachers and other education professionals meet to discuss and vote on critical issues facing public education in the halls of Congress, in state legislatures and in the classroom, such as No Child Left Behind, teacher recruitment and education funding.

“These NEA members are on the front lines, protecting every child’s basic right to a quality public education,” said Reg Weaver, NEA president. “They’ve seen firsthand the challenges facing public education, and they’ll be deciding, collectively, how to ensure all students succeed.”

This year, NEA will present a plan for delegate approval that lays out the Association’s strategic goals for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Delegates will attend the Joint Conference on Concerns of Minorities and Women, addressing challenges such as creating academic success for students of all cultures. And delegates will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the merger between NEA and the American Teachers Association, honoring that organizations’ advocacy for the education of all students during segregation.

At the 2005 Representative Assembly, NEA announced a nationwide campaign for a $40,000 minimum starting salary for teachers, and an appropriate living wage for other school personnel. And in 2004, NEA announced its landmark lawsuit challenging the unfunded mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act.

“We’ll celebrate everyone’s tireless work for quality public schools, but also take a hard look at the state of public education,” Weaver said. “Education professionals are too often forced to play defense. This is a chance to talk about the successes and problems we’ve seen in schools, and use that firsthand experience to fight proactively for what we know is best for engaging students and helping them succeed.”

The Representative Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the 2.8 million member NEA. In balloting conducted by NEA affiliates throughout the country, NEA members elect their peers to represent their concerns at the assembly. The elected delegates determine NEA's strategic plan and budget, legislative program, constitution and other policies on vital issues that affect public education. 

For more information and a full listing of scheduled events: 

www.nea.org/annualmeeting

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.8  million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.