Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/39006
PERSPECTIVE NEA Delegates Vote, cont from page 33 NATIONAL Policy Statement puts the focus on what is best for students and the profession of teaching. “Today our members have stated loud and clear that they will no longer allow the voice of teachers and educa- tors to be silenced and marginalized by people who don’t have a clue what teaching is,” said Van Roekel. “This policy statement puts NEA on the record in calling for a comprehensive over- haul for both teacher evaluation and account- ability systems.” The ratification of the Policy Statement al- lows the organization’s leaders and members to move forward with a clear and concise state- ment of beliefs and positions on key policy issues. The Policy Statement sets forth a frame- work for the national, state, and local affiliates of NEA to reclaim their seats at the table and go about the work of elevating the status of teach- ing. As a result of today’s floor vote, NEA is in a better position to fight the attacks of special interest groups and “reformists” who continue to unfairly target educators, privatize public education, and disregard the voice of students and their primary advocates. The newly-adopted Policy Statement lays out rigorous standards and delineates the multiple indicators of teacher practice that must be taken into account. Clearly articulating the link between teacher accountability and student success, the Policy Statement defines an appro- priate evaluation system and gives the context for how such assessments should incorporate student assessment indicators into teacher evaluation. The Policy Statement reflects the importance of maintaining high standards, not lowering them; robust evaluations by highly qualified evaluators using multiple indicators, not a single narrow metric; and ensuring that when a teacher distinguishes oneself and attains career status, it is a meaningful event. Following the conclusion of the 2011 Representative Assembly, NEA staff and execu- 34 Fall 2011 ❘ AEA Advocate tives will begin the labor intensive process of formalizing the tenets of this policy into action- able materials, plans, and resources for its mem- bers and affiliates as they continue their work ensuring the future success of students and improving the quality of public education. Vice President Biden “stands with NEA” to restore the American dream Vice President Joe Biden told delegates that the current national debate is about a funda- mental difference in vision for America. “The debate is about whether or not for America to succeed we need to provide the best educa- tion for all our children—or for just some of our children,” said Vice President Biden. “It is about social equality, economic opportunity, and concentration of wealth.” The other team has a different vision for public education, said the Vice President. “These are not bad guys; they just have a dif- ferent point of view,” said the Vice President. “It should be no surprise that the same people pushing vouchers for education push vouchers for health care.” On the fourth and final day of the 90th RA, delegates said goodbye and conveyed their appreciation to retiring NEA Executive Director John Wilson. Wilson has led the national organization’s staff for 10 years and will retire on September 1, 2011. For more information about the NEA RA, visit www.nea.org/annual- meeting. ✒