NEA Focus
Ideas and Expertise for Public Education

June 12, 2008

> Teachers Say ‘No’ to Child Labor, ‘Yes’ to Education!
> Curious NCLB Podcast: Putting Parents & Communities Front and Center
> Teachers Need Professional Development, Support to Implement Technology
> Six Programs Recognized for Teacher Retention Strategies
> NEA Conference Seeks to Improve Native American Student Achievement
> Becoming a Culturally Competent Educator

TOP STORY

Teachers Say ‘No’ to Child Labor, ‘Yes’ to Education!

The focus of this year’s World Day Against Child Labor (June 12) is “Education -- The Right Response to Child Labor.” Check out the latest video documentary from Education International to find out how a Morocco teachers’ union struck a blow against child labor and helped children from poor families stay in school.
http://www.nea.org/neatoday/multimedia/childlabor.html

ADVOCACY ALERT

NCLB Podcast: Putting Parents & Communities Front and Center

While NCLB calls for parent councils, it's time to kick it up a notch, says a new report. NEA's Joel Packer interviews the Forum on Education and Democracy's Wendy Puriefoy on why federal education policy must emphasize engaging parents and educating communities.
http://blogs.nea.org/joel/2008/06/packer-puriefoy-part-one.html

EDUCATOR EXPERIENCE

Teachers Need Professional Development, Support to Implement Technology

Most educators use technology for administrative tasks, but substantially fewer use it for instruction says a new report from NEA and the American Federation of Teachers. “Access, Adequacy, and Equity in Education Technology” recommends that education policymakers and advocates provide more wireless and portable options to increase access inside and outside of the classroom.
http://www.nea.org/research

CREATIVE COMMUNITIES

Six Programs Recognized for Teacher Retention Strategies

A lack of planning time, heavy workload, low salaries, and the absence of mentoring programs are cited as reasons why new teachers leave the profession. This year, the 2008 NEA-Saturn/UAW Partnership Awards highlighted exemplary programs that turned the tide and kept new teachers in the classroom. Here’s how they did it.
http://www.nea.org/newsreleases/2008/nr080611.html

NEA IN ACTION

NEA Conference Seeks to Improve Native American Student Achievement

Educators put their heads together last week in North Carolina to discuss challenges and potential solutions to obstacles that impede quality education for these students. Whether they live in cities, reservations, or rural areas, studies show that cultural disconnect is part of the reason for the achievement gap.
http://www.nea.org/newsreleases/2008/nr080607.html

SMART OPPORTUNITIES

Becoming a Culturally Competent Educator

There is no one place to start, but you can begin by determining the diverse groups served by your school. Be sure to consider cultural, linguistic, racial, and ethnic diversity. 
http://www.nea.org/achievement/culturalcompstart.html
 

ALSO THIS WEEK . . .

> HARNESS THE POLITICAL POWER OF YOUTH
ServiceVote 2008 is a campaign to engage young people in the political process, beginning with voting. It challenges youth to think critically about how they can affect issues by getting involved in the political process and provides opportunities to participate in the presidential election. Their Web site features information on the various races, candidates, and issues, as well as a forum for sharing videos, images, and audio files.
http://www.nea.org/webresources/servicevote.html

> REQUEST A MILITARY GUARD FOR THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER
On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who have died in military service to our country. The earliest were Revolutionary War soldiers, remembered at a memorial in Philadelphia. The tomb houses a 20-year-old male soldier. An eternal flame burns nearby, but it lacks the same kind of honor guard that patrols the better-known one at Arlington National Cemetery. Educators and students are encouraged to contact the U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates and urge him to make it happen. http://www.nea.org/takenote/soldier-tomb.html

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Get Ready to Read
Across America

Millions of children and adults will join together on March 3 to celebrate reading and Dr. Seuss's birthday. Have you planned your event? We have everything you need, including posters, brochures, and our 2008 Calendar & Toolkit. And there's more! Use our resources to create a reading party, alert the media, and get your community involved.

Related Items:
 More About This Year's Celebration
 Pledge to Participate

Tom Joyner Foundation Renews Winning Partnership with NEA
Nationally syndicated radio personality and philanthropist Tom Joyner announced a new $1.1 million grant with NEA to increase the number of fully certified minority teachers in urban and rural schools. The grant expands a scholarship program for teachers pursuing full licensure at 10 historically black colleges and universities.

Bush Digs in His Heels on Failing Education Policies
President Bush refused to make quality public schools a priority during his administration, and his final State of the Union address confirmed that his legacy on education will be one of failed teach-to-the-test experiments, voucher schemes, and unfunded services for children and public education.

Groundhog Day Lesson Ideas

On February 2, the world will be watching to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow. Mark the occasion with five lessons, adaptable for all grade levels: measure shadows, graph past predictions, sing groundhog songs, read Groundhog Day books, play a game of Groundhog Tag, and more.