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2005-2006 NEA Resolutions
Resolutions Related to
Higher Education
A-15. Federal Financial Support for Education
The National Education Association believes that the federal government has a legitimate and proper concern and responsibility for the quality of public education provided to its citizens.
The federal government should—
- Ensure equity and adequacy of educational opportunity for all
- Collect basic data to be used in public schools and to engage in research, development, and consultation activities that support quality state and local education programs
- Grant supplemental aid to states that are not able to raise adequate funds to provide all students with a high-quality education and to provide funding to support state and local government efforts in pursuit of national interests in public education.
Therefore, federal funding formulas should reflect the most current, accurate accounting of the public school population; measurements of poverty; and the states ability to raise adequate funds. The Association also believes that funding for federal programs should be substantially increased, not merely redistributed among states or other federal initiatives.
The Association further believes that there should be federal support for education whereby:
- The federal government assumes a full partnership role with local school districts by providing significant levels of federal funding for elementary and secondary education through a program of general aid and categorical assistance.
- Federal education funding is clear and identifiable within the federal budget.
- Federally funded instructional programs have maximum teacher involvement in their development at the federal level and must be implemented at the local level only after the involvement and approval of the recognized bargaining agent or local affiliate.
- Advisory committees for federally funded programs reflect the ethnic makeup of local communities and maintain a gender balance to ensure accountability and equity. Parents/guardians, students, and educators should be included as members of these committees.
- The amount of aid is generally predictable for long-range planning and specifically predictable for year-to-year planning.
- Federal legislation complies with civil rights statutes and is consistent with the constitutional
provision respecting the establishment of religion and provides for judicial review as to its
constitutionality.
- Categorical funding is assured in areas such as special education, bilingual/English as a second language, and the economically/educationally disadvantaged.
The Association believes that federal monies budgeted for pre-K through 12 education must be equitably and adequately expended for public education at the pre-K through 12 level. The Association opposes any federal legislation, laws, or regulations that provide funds, goods, or services to sectarian schools. The Association also opposes providing such funds, goods, or services to nonsectarian private schools or nonpublic school students in pre-K through 12 education, unless those funds, goods, or services are used for educational services that are not available in public schools to which students have reasonable access. The Association condemns and deplores federal policies and programs that serve to undermine Americas historical commitment to free public education. (1983, 2005)
NOTE: Figures in parentheses represent the years when
the resolution was first adopted and last amended or reviewed.
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NEA Policies
Read NEA policies
relating to higher education. NEA Resolutions
View the list of resolutions
pertaining to higher education.
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