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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2002

News Release

Ed Bill Signing Sets Off Seismic Shift to States

'Let two principles prevail - to help or at least do no harm"

Washington, D.C.- With the flourish of his presidential pen, Pres. George W. Bush will set off a seismic shift of responsibility and mandates to American state governments and schools today. As the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is signed into law, NEA President Bob Chase urged state lawmakers and schools to let common sense be their guide in implementing the new law to maximize, rather than reduce, student learning.

"The true test of this bill's mettle will be in the states," said Chase. "As states begin implementing the new testing provisions, policymakers must practice common sense and let two principles prevail - to help or at least do no harm."

To avoid the pitfalls many states experienced with poorly developed testing and accountability systems, NEA joined other education groups to produce a guide for state policymakers to implement quality tests. (www.aasa.org/issues_and_insights/assessment/Building_Tests.pdf) "States cannot implement tests on the cheap and expect to improve student achievement," said Chase.

Chase said the testing and accountability measures in the final package were improved significantly, focusing more on fixing problems, rather than merely labeling and abandoning the schools that need the most help. As a result, states are directed to use high quality tests and to provide parents and policymakers information that provides a more complete picture of student learning - not just one test score. "If done correctly, this is the kind of accountability that will help close the achievement gap and target action to schools that need the most help," said Chase.

With 44 states facing budget deficits, federal help in footing the extra cost of education reform is imperative. Chase urged Congress and the President to complete work in making up the special education shortfall when Congress reconvenes on January 23. "Inadequate support provided to states that are suffering severe economic decline is lamentable," said Chase. "Because the new law fails to make special education funding guaranteed, our states' ability to deliver basic support to schools and students will continue to be dramatically hampered. This bill imposes multi-year mandates on states and schools without providing multi-year funding." Congress is scheduled to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) this year - a prime opportunity to rescue states from a fiscal burden that hurts children and public education.

Congress' refusal to pay its pledged fair share and the current economic slump has forced states to cut more than $11 billion from their education budgets in the past year. In response to budget cuts, schools across the nation are increasing class sizes, delaying purchases of classroom technology, and scaling back after-school classes. According to the National Governors Association, states now face a $35 billion shortfall in the wake of a national recession.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.