In her article, "The Case Against Comparability", Kate Walsh argues against an NCLB proposed provision that attempts to equalize funding on a school-by-school basis in order to provide quality teachers in schools with a student population with high poverty rates.

Two items in the Miller-McKeon NCLB reauthorization bill seem to be shoe-ins for making their way into federal law. The impetus behind both is to ensure that districts spend as much on schools serving poor students as they do on schools serving more affluent children. Read more.

Yesterday, NEA President Reg Weaver called on members of the House Education and Labor Committee to reject draft language currently under discussion for the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act while testifying to the committee. “We are not able to support the discussion draft as currently written. We are hopeful that the committee will take the time to make meaningful changes.”

Some 40 NEA members and staff leaders, including our own AEA Board Member Janie Hydrick, from around the country joined the NEA president on Capitol Hill to lobby for rejection of the draft language. Members from targeted congressional districts with members on the committee were invited to take part in the attempt to persuade members of Congress not to miss this opportunity to "get it right."

“The draft that has been provided for discussion makes only minor tweaks in the divisive and dysfunctional law that parents, teachers, and public schools have been saddled with these past five years,” says Weaver. “If the committee is not going to make meaningful changes that truly address the needs of America’s public school students, a major opportunity will have been missed.”

Chief among educator concerns with the discussion draft is the continued focus on high stakes testing, punishments, labeling of children, and unfunded federal mandates. Read more about the story

Video of Weaver's testimony
Read entire transcript of Weaver's Testimony

All across Arizona newspapers, radio programs, and the nightly news are talking about NCLB. Read some articles written by AEA members by clicking here.

Have you had an experience telling your story to Congress? Other elected leaders? How did it go?

For more information about writing a letter to the editor of your local paper click here. If you are not sure who to submit your letter to contact the AEA by clicking here.

Use the AEA Legislative Action Center to send your NCLB letter to the editor.

Are virtual schools the future of public education in America? This article from Wired News Magazine says that the number of virtual schools is increasing. This could have wide implications for classroom instruction and school funding. What are some of your opinions on this issue? Do you see a future for virtual schools? Is it a good idea or not? What impact do you see on your classroom or especially on your students? Share your thoughts.

The AEA website is updated everyday with articles from across Arizona about education and issues in our classrooms. Visit the News & Views section of the AEA website daily to keep up with the latest news!

Read the original article by clicking here

Now read the AEA response by clicking here