NEA & AFT: Live From the Conventions
Vaishali Honawar has been in the news business for nearly 20 years. She covered the teacher beat for Education Week. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: unions.
Education
Obama, Hillary to Address AFT
This just in. Barack Obama will address the AFT convention July 13 via live satellite feed, just like he did for the NEA. But the AFT has also lined up Hillary Clinton, who was the union's first choice for president and who they endorsed in October last year. What's more, she will be at the convention in person when she speaks to the delegates July 12.
Education
Mystery Man Unveiled
NEA's mystery man Dennis Van Roekel addressed delegates for the first time after being named president-elect, with a forceful speech that called for change in the public education system as it exists today.
Education
RA Rejects Private K-12 Workers
NEA delegates voted to allow private preschool workers to seek union membership, but defeated an amendment that would permit elementary and secondary school workers to do the same.
Education
Maverick Voices in the Crowd
There's a perception, not totally unjustified, that NEA members, although lively and opinionated, tend to act like a herd on the bigger questions that the national leadership takes up each year for discussion. Questions like NCLB, the war, or even the choice of a presidential candidate.
Education
Obama Resurrects Performance Pay
He did it. Again.
Barack Obama spoke to 10,000 adoring fans at the NEA RA, who were all dressed up in blue Obama T-shirts and carrying white "NEA for Obama" noisemakers. He conquered their hearts by promising to "fix the broken promises of NCLB and by opposing the use of public school funds for vouchers. And then he waded smack-dab, for the second straight year, into that most-deplored topic here among these union stalwarts: performance pay.
Barack Obama spoke to 10,000 adoring fans at the NEA RA, who were all dressed up in blue Obama T-shirts and carrying white "NEA for Obama" noisemakers. He conquered their hearts by promising to "fix the broken promises of NCLB and by opposing the use of public school funds for vouchers. And then he waded smack-dab, for the second straight year, into that most-deplored topic here among these union stalwarts: performance pay.
Education
Waiting for Obama
It's official: Becky Pringle will serve as the NEA's secretary-treasurer for the next year, filling out the remainder of Lily Eskelsen's term when Eskelsen becomes vice president.
Education
Chanin Gets a Fan Club
Bob Chanin, the man with all the answers at the NEA, now has his own fan club.
Education
The Mystery Man of the NEA
There is an aura of mystery surrounding incoming NEA President Dennis Van Roekel.
Education
Independence Day at the RA
It's the Fourth of July at the NEA convention. Delegates in red, white, and blue or wearing Uncle Sam hats were entertained with a special performance by the all-NEA choir. There is a holiday-like atmosphere, although that is not much different from any day at the RA.
Education
Delegates Split on Private School Workers
An interesting point came up in the afternoon when the RA took up a bylaw amendment that would open up membership of the national NEA to employees of private preschool programs and elementary and secondary schools.
Education
Escaping the Test
The first day at the RA, like most days at the RA, is a nonstop parade of formalities and business items. The highlight of the day is usually the keynote address delivered by the president.
Education
Weaver Reflects on His Legacy
As he leaves office, Reg Weaver says he hopes his legacy will be one of bringing the union together as a team.
Education
A Column for Mr. Weaver
Outgoing NEA President Reg Weaver is making an all-out effort to go down in the history books. This morning, he rolled out six priorities for the federal government that will create "Great Public Schools for Every Student by 2020." (Read my colleague Michele McNeil's description here).
Education
Obama to Address NEA
Sen. Barack Obama is expected to address the NEA Representative Assembly via satellite the morning of July 5, the third day of the gathering. There is no word yet on whether he will speak to members of the AFT who, incidentally, are meeting in his hometown, Chicago.