Contact: Sara Robertson  (202) 822-7823

February 8, 2007

Educators, Researchers Advise Senate
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
on School Improvement Strategies

Maryland Teacher Participates in NCLB Reauthorization Roundtable

Alana Dale Turner (center), an NEA member in Maryland, addresses the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee roundtable on NCLB.                       photo by Bill Clark/Roll Call

Alana Dale Turner, a math teacher at Easton High School in Maryland, represented the National Education Association and its 3.2 million members. Turner, who spoke for rural educators, offered a first-hand account of her classroom experiences.

"Keeping (students) interested and engaged is one of the most important things we do in the classroom, and it's an essential ingredient in increasing student learning and achievement. We need to continually improve our schools in order for every child to learn, grow and succeed," Turner said, pointing to Easton High School's one-to-one laptop initiatives and extra help for students during after-school hours as just two examples of ways to improve America's schools.

Turner also noted that the biggest challenge to her school's improvement efforts is financial constraints. "The number one challenge is funding. Improving the level of technology is expensive. Providing ongoing training for teachers is mandatory and expensive. We do get some funding through the City Council and from business partners, but it's not enough to meet our needs."

The roundtable participants also included Michigan State Superintendent of Instruction Michael P. Flanagan; Briggs Chaney Middle School Principal Kimberly Johnson from Silver Spring, Md.; and Paul Reville, president, Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy.

This is the first of several meetings and hearings that Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) will hold on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, more commonly known now as No Child Left Behind. In his statement prior to the roundtable, Kennedy said, "The reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act is a top priority for the American people. The Senate will make necessary changes to improve and strengthen the Act, and ensure its effectiveness for students, parents and teachers."

NEA has released its Positive Agenda for the ESEA Reauthorization, which includes practical reforms to the law. Key elements of the plan include accountability systems that reward success, smaller class sizes, adequate resources, quality educators in every classroom, and engaged parents, families and communities.

"NEA members have outlined clear changes that will improve the law, and, more importantly, we have identified reforms that will help prepare our children and students to lead successful and productive lives," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "NEA calls on Congress to consider the many bipartisan proposals to reform NCLB as it starts the reauthorization process."

For more information visit the NCLB/ESEA section of the NEA Web site.  

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators
and students preparing to become teachers.