Contact: Christiana Campos (202) 822-7823

November 14, 2007

NEA Urges America To Thank Education Support Professionals

Education Support Professionals Day Highlights Equal and Essential Partners in Education

WASHINGTON —They make up more than 40 percent of all public school employees. They take part in nearly every school day activity involving students. They carry students to and from school, prepare their meals, and ensure their classrooms are clean and safe. Without them, schools would be unable to function.

They are education support professionals (ESPs) and today, the National Education Association and its 3.2 million members are urging everyone to take the time to thank them for the invaluable services they provide to the nearly 50 million students in the nation's public schools. 

"Education support professionals should be recognized not only on Education Support Professionals Day, but every single day of the year," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "They do more than just provide nutritious meals and transportation. They are positive role models and play a key role in making public schools great for every child. Today serves as a reminder for students, parents and community members to thank their education support professionals who so greatly impact the lives of students every day."

More commonly known as ESPs, these individuals are responsible for keeping schools running. According to a spring 2007 NEA survey of the Association’s K-12 ESP members, more than half (52%) work with special education students. On average, they have more than a decade of experience and make approximately $24,000 a year. In addition, NEA's K-12 ESP membership survey shows that ESPs:

• Are deeply committed to their jobs. Nearly seven in 10 ESPs (67%) plan to stay in their current job until retirement. Eight in 10 (80%) work full time.
• Take classes and training to prepare them for their jobs. Nearly eight in 10 (78%) have taken job-related training classes.
• Are educated, highly qualified and happy on the job. NEA ESP members have made great achievements in education. More than two in five (42%) have an associate's or higher college degree in 2007, compared to one in four (26%) in 2002. Nearly half (45%) say they are "very satisfied" with their job. And almost one in two (49%) cite personal fulfillment as a major source of satisfaction with their jobs.
• Try to keep schools safe. One in two (53%) have tried to intervene or stop bullying behavior.  Nearly four in 10 (38%) have tried to intervene or stop school violence.
• Are actively involved in their schools and communities. Four in 10 ESPs (40%) participate in volunteer activities such as reading with students; one in five ESPs (20%) offer tutoring assistance; and nearly one in four (24%) coach or support sports programs. 
• Care deeply for students and their success. More than three in five ESPs (61%) give an average of $163 out of their own pockets to help students with classroom materials, field trips and class projects.  

Education Support Professionals Day is part of NEA's 86th annual American Education Week celebration, taking place this year November 11–17. Education Support Professionals Day was first celebrated in 1987 after NEA's Representative Assembly, the Association's annual conference of 10,000 member delegates, called for the creation of a way to honor contributions of school support staff. Education Support Professionals Day is observed on Wednesday during American Education Week.

About American Education Week

American Education Week presents people nationwide with an opportunity to honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality public education. Celebrated the first full week before Thanksgiving, American Education Week began in 1921 as a way to generate public awareness and support for education at a time when illiteracy was still a major problem in the United States  .

American Education Week's tagline, Great Public Schools:  A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, represents NEA's vision of making public schools great for every child and the shared responsibility of all Americans to provide students with quality public schools. To find out more about American Education Week, visit www.nea.org/aew  or contact your local public school.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional 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.