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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 1999

News Release

NEA Hails Gore's Call For A 'New Era' For Education

'The blueprint for a bold new era in public education'

Washington, D.C. -- The president of the 2.5 million-member National Education Association (NEA) today said Vice President Gore's call for a $115 billion Education Reform Trust Fund constitutes unprecedented federal leadership on behalf of public education.

"Vice President Gore is willing to go where no public official has gone before," said Bob Chase. "His proposals for universal pre-school, smaller classes, higher standards, strong accountability, professional compensation for teachers, increased funding for special education, and modern schools are the blueprint for a bold new era in public education."

Gore's call for full funding for pre-school for all 3- and 4-year-olds -- coupled with his proposal to reduce class sizes in the early grades -- would allow every American child to get off to a strong start in education, Chase said.

"The research is irrefutable that reaching children at the earliest ages, through expanded one-on-one instruction in smaller classes, is the single best thing we can do to ensure their future academic success," said Chase.

"The Vice President's proposal to elevate teaching standards and to provide the first-ever federal support for higher teacher salaries is a tacit acknowledgement that if we want to attract and retain the most talented teachers, we must pay them salaries that compete with other professions," Chase said. Earlier this month, NEA released data showing that over the past decade, public school student enrollments have soared while per pupil spending and teacher salaries have lagged far behind.

Chase praised Gore's proposal to target resources for pre-school programs and teacher recruitment to both rural and urban schools. "Vice President Gore clearly recognizes that we must do everything possible to direct resources to both urban and rural districts, which serve millions of our most disadvantaged students," Chase said. "It's a fact that rural schools, which serve 42 percent of America's students, only receive 22 percent of federal education dollars. That must change, and Al Gore is willing to say so."

"This is the kind of educational leadership America needs," said Chase. "Everyone supports higher standards, and everyone wants the best teachers in our classrooms. Al Gore knows that achievement and accountability are paramount. He also has the courage to propose the resources that our students need to meet those standards, and that school districts need to hire top teachers."

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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.