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NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL Policy on Teacher Evaluation and Accountability Approved by Delegates NEA Delegates Vote to Support President Obama for Second Term Delegates to the National Education Association’s (NEA) 2011 Representative Assembly (RA) voted overwhelmingly to sup- port President Obama for a second term, making NEA the first union to recommend the President for next year’s election. In addition, the delegates adopted a policy statement that observers agree will establish a clear course for overhauling teacher evaluation and accountabil- ity systems. The RA is the top decision-making body for NEA. RA delegates adopt NEA’s strategic plan and budget, resolutions, legislative pro- gram, and other Association policies. The NEA Representative Assembly is the world’s larg- est democratic deliberative body, with voting delegates from state and local affiliates across the country. NEA delegates vote to support President Barack Obama in re-election bid The Association’s presidential recommendation process typically takes place the summer before the general election. NEA initiated this timetable in order to provide early and strong support to help ensure the election of a candidate who is on the side of students and working families. “The last two years of state legislatures and the mid-term elections were eye-opening, dem- onstrating what can happen when education legislation and decisions are left in the hands of politicians who do not support public schools,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “We as a nation have to get our priorities right. We cannot sacrifice our students’ futures by short- changing them now.” Van Roekel noted that President Obama has made critical investments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which saved and created jobs that fueled local economies, strengthened public education, and brought relief to countless working families. The historic Affordable Care Act will provide health care to 32 million people, including millions of chil- dren. By approving the Education Jobs Bill, the President helped to keep class sizes from bal- looning and important education programs and services from being cut. Educators approve teacher evaluation and accountability policy statement NEA action will advance student learning and raise status of teaching Delegates adopted a Policy Statement on Teacher Evaluation and Accountability. By a majority vote of more than 9,000 delegates, the Continued on next page AEA Advocate ❘ Fall 2011 33 PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL Tucson EA member Cathy Paredes and Chandler EA member Dawn Koberstein PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE