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For More Information:
NEA Communications: 202 822-7200
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2000
Updated Media Advisory
Pay for Performance, School Safety Top NEA's Agenda
at Annual Meeting in Chicago
Washington, D.C. -- Should teachers be paid for performance? How should their knowledge and skills be recognized and rewarded? How do we attract and keep good teachers teaching? These are among several key questions that will be discussed and debated at the annual Representative Assembly of the National Education Association (NEA).
NEA will host its Annual Meeting and related conferences, June 28-July 6, in Chicago. The theme for 2000's meeting is "Quality Public Education: The Right of America's Children."
NEA President Bob Chase will call to order the NEA Representative Assembly (RA) on Monday, July 3. The RA is the elected policy-making body of the 2.5 million-member Association. Between 9,000 and 10,000 delegates are expected, representing teachers, college faculty, student members, retired members, educational support employees, and other Association members.
Floor debate and votes by these delegates will set the Association's overall policy for the coming year. NEA members will deliberate on a host of issues including ensuring safety and order in schools, improving teacher quality, and advocating world class standards for student achievement.
Delegates are also expected to endorse a candidate for U.S. President. Vice President Al Gore received the NEA's recommendation for the Democratic nomination last October.
Highlights of the 2000 NEA Annual Meeting and Pre-Convention activities include:
| June 27
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Student NEA's "Outreach to Teach" Project. Hundreds of NEA student and retired members will descend on a local elementary school to fix, paint and clean-up the school. Location: Calumet Elementary School, 1440 Vermont St., Calumet, IL 60643. |
| June 28-29
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The 2000 NEA Joint Conference on the Concerns of Minorities and Women includes more than 50 separate workshops and sessions on hot education topics such as high-stakes testing, school safety and discipline, and vouchers. Location: Chicago Hilton & Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. |
| June 29-30
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The NEA Instructional Issues Conference. The conference will look at the standards movement and its impact on teaching and student achievement. Linda Darling-Hammond is the featured speaker. Location: Chicago Hilton & Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. |
| July 1
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Read Across America "Read-In." Chicago schoolchildren will enjoy a fun hour of reading and activities at the Frederick Douglass Library, 333 W. 13th St.
Time: 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. |
| July 1-2
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Exhibits of educational products and services from some 200 organizations and vendors. |
| July 2
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The NEA Collective Bargaining Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The NEA-UAW Saturn Partnership Awards will be presented at a luncheon. Location: Chicago Hilton & Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. |
| July 2
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NEA hosts its annual Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner. NEA will honor 11 individuals for their work to eliminate racism, sexism, and discrimination in education and to advance human rights. Among the recipients this year is the Speaker of the California State Assembly, Antonio Villaraigosa, of Los Angeles, who will be presented with the C?sar Ch?vez Acci?n Y Compromiso Human and Civil Rights Award. Location: International Ballroom, Chicago Hilton & Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. |
| July 3
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Fundraising Concert with "Chicago," McCormick Place. Proceeds from this Benefit concert go directly to the NEA Health Information Network's Ryan White Memorial HIV Education Fund and Vivian Roy Bowser Cancer Education Fund.
Location: McCormick Place, Arie Crown Theater, East Building. |
| July 3
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Chase will deliver his keynote address during the first session and further elaborate on his national calls for NEA to pursue "new unionism." Estimated time: 12:15 p.m. |
| July 4
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Education Secretary Richard Riley will address the delegates about the progress made in public education. Location: Hall B, McCormick Place. Time: morning. |
| July 4
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Delegates will vote on a recommendation to endorse Al Gore for president. NEA had previously recommended Gore in the Democratic primaries. Time: morning, with the vote to be announced later that day. |
| July 4
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The Representative Assembly will hear from three speakers on the issue of school safety and take action to push Congress to act on gun legislation. Speakers are: Arlene Thomas, a school security officer from Camden, N.J.; Andy Pope, a Nebraska middle school teacher who was shot by a student; and Memo Morales, a Los Angeles student who is organizing other students. Location: Hall B, McCormick Place. Time: afternoon. |
| July 5
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Press Breakfast and Media Availability with Bob Chase. Location: News Conference Room, N227A, McCormick Place. Time: 8:00 a.m. |
| July 5
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Marilyn Whirry, Teacher of the Year, will address the delegates. Dr. Whirry is a twelfth-grade English teacher from Manhattan Beach, California. Location: Hall B, McCormick Place. Estimated time: 11:00 a.m. |
| July 5
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Sen. Edward Kennedy will receive the NEA's highest honor, the "Friend of Education" Award. Location: Hall B, McCormick Place. Estimated time: afternoon. |
| July 5
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Delegates will debate resolutions relating to pay for performance and other issues. |
| July 6
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Vice President Al Gore will address the delegates on this day. Location: Hall B, McCormick Place. Estimated time: 11:00 a.m. to noon. |
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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support personnel, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.
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