New Business Items at the 2007 RA

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NEW BUSINESS ITEM A
Adopted
The 2006 Representative Assembly adopted the NEA Vision, Mission, and Values Statement. NEA will publicize the Vision, Mission, and Values Statement among its members and affiliates, the general public, and the media. Toward that end, NEA will, among other things, include the Vision, Mission, and Values Statement in the NEA Handbook, NEA Today, and other appropriate NEA hard-copy and electronic publications/communications. Changes in the Vision, Mission, and Values Statement may be made only by the Representative Assembly.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM B
Adopted
NEA’s basic policies with regard to immigration are set forth in NEA Resolutions B-20 and I-18, and in the NEA Legislative Program. These policies express NEA’s commitment to, among other things, improving the immigration process, including the provision of due process, political asylum, and timely legalization; protecting the integrity of the family unit; and assuring that every child, regardless of his or her immigration status or the immigration status of his or her parents, has the right to a free public education in a safe and supportive environment.

While reaffirming NEA’s commitment to the policies set forth in these Resolutions and the Legislative Program, the Representative Assembly is particularly concerned about the on-going national debate regarding the status of undocumented immigrants. The Representative Assembly believes that NEA should be actively involved in this debate, and toward that end directs that the following actions be taken:

1. NEA will through its regular communication vehicles, including NEA Today, keep its members informed of legislative, judicial, and other developments regarding the status of undocumented immigrants;

2. NEA will, as appropriate, participate in coalitions and otherwise support efforts to assure that the immigration process protects the human and civil rights of undocumented immigrants and their families, and treats them with dignity and respect; and

3. NEA will work with its affiliates and other groups to ensure that states and school districts adopt and vigorously enforce policies that protect the right of undocumented immigrant children and the children of undocumented immigrant parents to obtain a free public education in a safe and supportive environment.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM C
Adopted as Modified
NEA Resolution I-1 (Peace and International Relations) and Section IV.c. of the NEA Legislative Program (Education and National Security) express NEA’s commitment to peace, freedom, and human dignity; urge nations to seek peaceful resolution of conflicts; and call for strengthening national security by increasing federal education funding. In accordance with these policies, NEA President Weaver sent a letter to President Bush and the members of Congress in January 2007. In this letter, President Weaver expressed NEA’s concerns about the impact of the Iraq war on our nation, particularly its impact on students whose parents have been deployed to Iraq, and the fact that the war is draining billions of dollars from public education and other national priorities, and he called for an appropriate exit strategy to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, and adequate support systems for returning troops in regard to employment, education, and health care. A copy of President Weaver’s January 2007 letter is attached, and the Representative Assembly reaffirms that the views expressed in this letter represent NEA’s official position on the war in Iraq.

In order to deal with the concerns expressed in the January 2007 letter, and help achieve the objectives called for, NEA will: (1) as appropriate, work with other groups, participate in coalitions, and otherwise support efforts to implement an exit strategy to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, and ensure that returning troops are provided with adequate support services in regard to education, employment, and health care; and (2) urge its affiliates and members to take appropriate actions at the state and local levels to help achieve these objectives. NEA will, through its regular communication vehicles, including NEA Today, keep its members informed of actions taken in this regard.

While calling for an appropriate exit strategy to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, NEA remains in full support of the troops that are deployed in Iraq. NEA calls upon President Bush and Congress to ensure that these troops – and all U.S. troops that are in harm’s way – are provided with all equipment, materials, and services that are necessary for their safety and security.

January 16, 2007

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

The more than 8,000 delegates to the National Education Association’s (NEA) annual Representative Assembly have asked NEA to weigh in with you and with the United States Congress on the war in Iraq. NEA, representing 3.2 million educators across the nation, believes Congress and the President should work toward an appropriate exit strategy to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq. In addition, we believe you should ensure that veterans returning from the war have adequate support systems, including employment and educational opportunities and health care.

Educators are deeply concerned about the impact of the war on our nation, particularly on students whose parents have been deployed. In addition, they are concerned that expending billions of dollars on a war for which no specific exit strategy has been designed is draining resources from other priorities, including public education.

Our members’ concerns are well-founded. According to the Iraq Study Group report released last month, the situation in Iraq is “grave and deteriorating.” The report recommended a radically different approach from current policy, including the withdrawal of most U.S. combat troops by early 2008. We are hopeful that the upcoming Congressional hearings result in a bipartisan strategy that moves us closer to an appropriate exit plan.

We thank you for your consideration of our views on these important issues.

Sincerely,
Reg Weaver
President
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 1
Ruled Out of Order
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 2
Adopted as Modified
Using existing communication vehicles (as an example NEA Today and the NEA website), the NEA will publicize exemplary practices in implementing Response to Intervention (RtI). This information should include understanding a three tier service delivery model, the need for professional development for all staff involved in academic and behavioral interventions, how RtI is used in assessing students for possible learning disabilities, and collective bargaining language related to RtI including caseload/workload issues.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 3
Referred to the NEA Human and Civil Rights Committee

That NEA shall establish a new Human and Civil Rights Award. This award shall recognize an individual who has advocated for religious freedom and religious tolerance.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 4
Adopted as Modified and Amended
NEA utilize its influence to have retirement systems consider policies of targeted divestment from companies on the Sudan Divestment Task Force’s Highest Offenders list. Also that the NEA inform its members and affiliates about the genocide in Darfur and Southern Sudan.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 5
Substitute Adopted
NEA shall convene a workgroup consisting of individuals, including but not limited to, pension system trustees with specific expertise in retirement, Social Security, and Medicare issues.

The purpose of this workgroup is to produce a clear, concise document that could be used by NEA and its state affiliates to further the understanding of these issues, and to help in the education of our members.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 6
Withdrawn
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 7
Ruled Out of Order
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8
Adopted
I move that NEA will gather existing information from its state and local affiliates as to the effects of GASB 45 upon bargaining salaries and health and welfare benefits. The following data should be included:

• The number of districts pre-funding versus those who are not

• The number of districts that combine active and retired members into a common pool vs. separate pools and the change since GASB 45

• The types of pre-funding mechanism being used and timelines involved

• A list of changes in retirement benefits which are the result of negotiating the impact of GASB 45 (reduced benefits, increased retiree contributions or rates, longer vesting periods)

• The impact on insurance benefits and rates for both retirees and actives when retirees are disaggregated from the active pool

• A comparison of negotiated salary increases between districts who pre-fund versus those that pay-as-you-go

NEA shall collate this information into a single publication to be made available for use by state and local affiliates.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 9
Adopted

NEA, through the NEA Health Information Network (HIN), shall provide funds to support a minimum of a one day training on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and environmental health issues for 120 members prior to the 2008 NEA RA. Presenters will include nationally recognized speakers as well as Association Leaders.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 10
Adopted

NEA, through the NEA Health Information Network (HIN), shall provide funds to support the 2007 EPA Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium. NEA will support 25 scholarships. This training includes a pre-symposium day for union members focusing on how to organize and activate members around indoor air quality issues, how to support affected staff, and sharing member successes.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 11
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 12
Adopted
NEA will intensify and expand its efforts beyond lobbying to secure full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Activities should include (but not be limited to) a series of at least 3 articles (one per quarter) in NEA Today, designed to inform, persuade, and equip not only education professionals, but also the community-at-large (especially parents of school-age children) to influence the U.S. Congress to move towards immediate full funding of IDEA. NEA will continue to plan and implement activities to ensure grass roots involvement until full funding is achieved.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 13
Adopted as Modified
Move to direct the President of NEA to respond expeditiously and with urgency to action taken by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Seattle, Washington and Louisville, Kentucky cases that have seriously weakened the Brown vs. Board of Education and subsequent cases designed to correct past acts of discrimination. Action taken shall include encouraging positive efforts by local communities and states.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 14
Object to Consider
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 15
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 16
Adopted
The NEA will, through its publications, websites, and workshops, promote the work of education international. It will further develop a strategic plan in partnership with the appropriate agencies to institute a program that facilitates international teaching partnerships, visitations, teaching exchanges and workshops.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 17
Adopted as Amended
I move that NEA publicize and support all Federal Government direct student loan programs like the William D. Ford loan.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 18
Adopted
That NEA, through cooperation with the Health Information Network, educates its members through regular publications about one of the fastest growing populations who are HIV positive, senior citizens.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 19
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 20
Adopted
I move that President Weaver writes a letter of support for legislation that will dismantle the "Don’t ask, Don't tell" policy in the armed forces and replace it with a policy of non-discrimination.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 21
Referred to the Appropriate Conference Planning Committee
I move that a moment of silence be taken at the NEA Pacific Regional Leadership Conference in memory of the Day of Remembrance.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 22
Adopted
NEA will use its staff, leaders, and resources to pursue implementation of the following NEA positions:

Resolutions H-7 on National Health Care Policy calling for a universal single-payer health system covering everyone.
Legislative Agenda Number IV, Good Public Policy, supporting universal health coverage.
NEA will provide resources in the existing NEA budget to implement this NBI.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 23
Adopted as Modified
I move the NEA collect information and resources on electronic/online voting and distribute this information to state and local affiliates for the purpose of reducing costs, increasing member participation, and protecting the integrity of local and state elections.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 24
Referred to the Appropriate Committee as Amended
I move the NEA-RA (National Education Association-Representative Assembly) recommend to the UPRC (UniServ Program Review Committee) that any changes to the UniServ Program shall not increase the current 1200:1 member to service director funding ratio formula or diminish the original and current purpose of guaranteeing local control in local option units and significant local participation in the control and implementation of state option programs.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 25
Adopted
NEA make available through existing publications a list of senators and representatives who are supportive of NEA’s Positive Agenda for ESEA/NCLB Reauthorization.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 26
Adopted
NEA will inform members, through normal means of communications, the role of teacher input and that of their associations in helping to insure the adoption of student-centered, teacher-friendly curriculum.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 27
Referred to the Appropriate Conference Planning Committee as Modified
NEA, through the Health Information Network, will offer education presentations as requested by planning committees of Regional Women’s and Minority Issues conferences and trainings on implementing HPV awareness programs.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 28
Adopted
NEA, through the Health Information Network, will assist states that are implementing programs on HPV awareness and cervical cancer prevention through state legislation.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 29
Adopted
The NEA Collective Bargaining department will examine and report on legal restrictions to scope of bargaining, especially pertaining to class size, in all states with collective bargaining and help locals develop strategies to reverse the trends in limiting topics of discussion.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 30
Adopted as Amended
The National Education Association (NEA) shall support humanitarian efforts to end the genocide in Darfur by:

Reviewing its holdings and divesting funds from companies which are identified as contributors to the Sudanese Govern-ment, the Janjaweed Militia, or any other group contributing to the suffering/genocide of the Sudanese people
Supporting legislative efforts to end the genocide in Darfur through the divestment of state and federal funds from any institution that is contributing to the Sudanese government, and
Educating its membership about the current suffering and genocide of the Sudanese people.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 31
Adopted
I move that NEA support the Cops-n-kids literacy program by actively promoting this initiative to members through NEA publications and in local, region, and state meetings.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 32
Adopted
NEA will alert state and local affiliates and staff so that a process will be put into place and communicated out to combat the implementation of the tenets of the “Principal’s Academy” created by Jack Welch, former CEO of GE and/or any other administrative programs which embrace this anti-teacher methodologies.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 33
Adopted
The NEA deplores the S-4 Supreme Court decision striking down Seattle and Louisville's voluntary school desegregation plans. This decision seeks to render Brown v Board of Education a dead letter and is a major setback that opens the door to increased segregation of black, Latinos, and other minority communities. The NEA supports efforts by local and state affiliates, community and civil rights groups to defend school integration plans to ensure that this decision will not stand. One criterion that the NEA will require for presidential candidates who seek our endorsement is that they be committed to the rights of school districts to implement school integration plans.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 34
Adopted
I move that NEA draft and work to advance an amendment to any school modernization legislation, which is now moving through Congress, to allow local governments to use the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program to substantially reduce school construction costs. Specifically NEA shall draft the amendment, contact the sponsors of the bill(s) to advocate for its inclusion and write a letter to the sponsors to that effect.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 35
Adopted
NEA will inform its members through its website and publications, such as NEA Today, regarding Irlen Syndrome Lscotopic sensitivity, a visual perception problem caused by sensitivity to light that results in serious reading difficulties for many thousands of school children. Information so disseminated will include a clear explanation of the condition, its symptoms, and its proven remedy (color filtration). Reporting should include highlights of credible research, legislation, and selected accounts of students who have met with success following appropriate assessment and treatment. A list of resources should be provided in order to enable all interested parties to become well informed about Irlen Syndrome and to take action for the benefit of students.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 36
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 37
Adopted as Modified
The NEA will explore the possibility of submitting an amicus brief in support of the federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Michigan’s Proposal 2, a fraudulently constructed ballot initiative which has eliminated affirmative action programs used by Michigan’s universities.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 38
Adopted as Modified
NEA will investigate the feasibility of developing a system of reciprocity, regarding state mandated testing for graduation.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 39
Adopted as Modified
NEA will collect current research which supports Visual & Performing Arts as beneficial to academic progress in other core subjects. Findings will be compiled into a formal document published and dispersed to state affiliates, legislative groups (state & national) & Visual/ Performing Arts Associations.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 40
Referred to the Annual Review Committee
I move that the NEA-RA Annual Review Committee consider the purchase of the equipment, development and services necessary to provide the following technology for the RA:

1 dedicated server
40 flat screen, PC style, dedicated computers
40 smart card readers
the development/creation of a web-based program that would allow delegates to:
Go to a microphone and identify themselves with the swipe of their swipe card
Click to identify the item they wish to address and how (e.g. support, amend, etc.)
Type in amendments and questions
Push “ENTER” and know immediately where they fall in the parliamentary order (e.g. 2nd in support, 5th to close debate)
Compile “Points of information” to be answered efficiently.
The results of the consideration will be presented (to delegates prior) to the 2008 NEA-RA.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 41
Adopted
That NEA contact and develop a relationship with the Ruby Bridges Foundation and contribute $10,000 to support and assist in repairing and establishing a museum in the William Frantz School which was attended by Ruby Bridges and was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 42
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 43
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 44
Adopted
Moved, that NEA Today write an article about the work on the Trinational Coalition in Defense of Public Education and inform state and local affiliates of the opportunities to participate in the upcoming spring 2008 Trinational Conference.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 45
Adopted as Modified
NEA will sponsor a task force to explore ways to reduce the number of suspensions and expulsions. Topics could include:

• Positive alternative modes of discipline.

• Rationale for increasing counseling and other support services.

• Ways to help change policies that result in high levels of suspensions and expulsions.

• Coalition building with healthcare organizations to initiate health centers in schools to provide psychological and health services for youth.

• Trainings that support teachers in creating inclusive classrooms and implementing alternative models of discipline.

• Forming partnerships with community organizations to create coordinated, comprehensive support systems for at-risk students and their families.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 46
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 47
Adopted as Amended
I move that NEA will support the change to allow Exceptional Education students assessed on the instructional level of their IEP and not on the level that they are actually placed in their school.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 48
Adopted
Information about the history of Washington Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier be published in the NEA Today and on the NEA website that would serve as a catalyst for a student/member writing campaign that would request the secretary of defense to post an honorary military guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 49
Adopted as Modified
Using existing communication vehicles (including NEA Today, This Active Life, and the NEA website) the NEA will publish an update on the issue of military recruitment in schools and the progress of NEA supported legislation that would protect parents’ right to withhold their child’s personal information from military recruiters. HR 1346, the Honda Opt-In Amendment, would allow parents to release their child’s information but it would not be automatic.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 50
Ruled Out of Order
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 51
Adopted as Modified
NEA will continue to fund and support the committees and lobby activities that are already in operation and working with the social security offset issues, Government Pension Offset/GPO/ Windfall Elimination Provision/WEP (GPO-WEP). We urge NEA to continue the congressional lobby efforts and to insist members of congress support the full repeal of GPO/WEP. NEA shall make available, by application, up to $5,000 over the biennium of this budget, to assist state cadres. These funds can be used by state affiliates to organize grass roots lobby efforts that will complement the education efforts of NEA.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 52
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 53
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 54
Adopted as Modified
NEA will collect current research which supports world language education as beneficial to academic progress in other core subjects. Findings will be compiled into a formal document published and dispersed to state affiliates, legislative groups (state and national) and World Language associations.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 55
Referred to the Appropriate Conference Planning Committee as Modified
The NEA Today will publish an article in NEA Today and make workshops available for the Minority Leadership Conferences and the Regional Leadership Conferences that explains how the murder rate among black and Latino school-age youth—the very students that we teach—is rooted in unemployment inextricably linked to institutional racism.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 56
Adopted as Modified
NEA will work to create parent outreach and involvement models that include parental responsibilty and accountability.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 57
Adopted as Amended
The NEA RA directs the leadership of NEA to encourage and assist all media outlets targeting young audiences to develop educational positive messages and appropriate positive images.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 58
Voted not to Consider
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 59
Adopted
The NEA through its regular communication vehicles including NEA Today and the Website will inform its members about Sensory Integration Dysfunction. It will inform them as to what SI Dysfunction is and how it affects children.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 60
Ruled Out of Order
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 61
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 62
Adopted as Modified
The NEA reaffirms its support for the full integration of the nation’s public schools. The NEA will sponsor workshops, symposia, panel discussions and other presentations designed to reaffirm its support of a fully integrated school system throughout the nation. The purpose of these presentations are to assure that integrated schools are not diminished as a result of the recent Supreme Court decision. The presentations will be offered at major NEA conferences, seminars, meetings and other venues for 2007-2008 and encourage state and local affiliates to do the same.

[Note: Any part of this NBI that speaks to conference planning will be referred to the appropriate conference planning committee.]
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 63
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 64
Adopted
NEA will disseminate information to State Affiliates and appropriate State agencies about how to include in graduation rates those students w/disabilities who have successfully completed their district’s academic requirements but did not take or pass the state’s exit exam. These students should not be counted as “high school dropouts”.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 65
Adopted as Amended
NEA will explicitly inform all U.S. Presidential candidates seeking NEA endorsement of our positions regarding public education and how they differ from the “Strong American Schools” initiative which calls for: 1.) Strong American education standards 2.) Effective teachers in every classroom 3.) More time and support for learning.

NEA will solicit commitments from candidates to support and advance legislation and policies reflecting our positions.

Furthermore, NEA will inform the candidates about the many factors outside the realm of public education that affect a child’s learning, growth, and development. Lastly, NEA shall inform its members of these efforts using existing communication vehicles.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 66
Withdrawn
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 67
Reclassified as Legislative Amendment 19
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 68
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 69
Voted Not to Consider
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 70
Referred to the Appropriate Committee

NEA, through NEA Today and other appropriate publications will inform its membership about the services of the non-profit organization, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D).
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 71
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 72
Referred to the Appropriate Committee

The NEA, through the NEA Health Information Network (HIN), will educate its members about the importance of healthy living through exercise, nutrition and weight management.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 73
Adopted as Amended

I move that NEA, through existing media, gather and disseminate information on high school programs that offer teacher education classes for the purpose of recruiting (and supporting) students from diverse backgrounds into teaching careers.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 74
Referred to the Appropriate Committee

That NEA through its publications recognize the 35th anniversary of Title IX and continue to advocate for equal access for all.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 75
Adopted as Amended

That the NEA create tool kits for all members (including ESP and Higher Ed.) to use in addressing Hispanic and other ethnic minority, GLBT, and students with disabilities issues including curriculum, advocacy, immigration, authentic diversity, responding to attacks, outreach and communications.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 76
Adopted

NEA should provide and use 21st Century technology such as PowerPoint, Smartboards, Videostreaming, etc. when presenting NEA sponsored training/workshops.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 77
Adopted
That the NEA establish a blue ribbon committee of practitioners (all levels and all constituencies) to examine current data and research on the drop-out rate in order to provide examples of best practices to make recommendations on future actions, and to disseminate its findings to NEA members and the public.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 78
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 79
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 80
Referred to the Appropriate Committee

The NEA President will write a letter to congress, in particular to Carol McCourthy (D-NY), author of House Resolution 322 which calls for a proclaimation to recognize National Infertility Awareness Week, in support of that legislation. The NEA will, through its publications such as the NEA Today and its website, provide information about infertility-related issues and publicize National Infertility Awareness Week (Nov. 4-10, 2007).
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 81
Substitute Adopted
The NEA Board of Directors shall investigate amending the Unified Legal Services Program Guidelines to include reimbursement for Worker's Compensation cases.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 82
Adopted
The NEA, through the Health Information Network, will provide information to local & state leaders & members through NEA Publications & websites regarding school beverage guidelines created by the “Alliance for a Healthier Generation”, a 501(C)3 formed by the American Heart Assoc. & the Clinton Foundation to address childhood obesity & physical fitness.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 83
Referred to the Executive Committee
That the NEA Budget Committee establish addressing the needs of ELL-English Language Learners students and their teachers as an Association priority with appropriate and sufficient staffing and funding.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 84
(This number was not assigned.)
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 85
Referred to the Annual Meeting Review Committee
The National Education Association annual meeting review committee will study the feasibility of providing treadmills for use by delegates at the 2008 NEA Representative Assembly.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 86
Voted Not to Consider
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 87
Referred to the Appropriate Committee

NEA Today will publish an article about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and report on the progress that schools have made to comply with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act since its passage in 1990. Also, the NEA President will write to the members of the United States Senate to urge ratification of the Convention.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 88
Voted Not to Consider
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 89
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 90
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 91
Defeated
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 92
Referred to the Appropriate Committee

Using existing communications vehicles and “free” media opportunities, the NEA will aggressively work to expose the dangers of pursuing the “Broad Prize” and other veiled awards promoted by those who seek to destroy public education; advance the cause of vouchers; and base teacher evaluations/compensation on the results of high stakes testing.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 93
Referred to the Appropriate Committee

Move that Reg Weaver with input from the Fine Arts Caucus send an informational letter to the Presidential hopefuls and legislative groups—state and national concerning the preservation of Fine Arts programs in our schools.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 94
Adopted as Amended

NEA will collect current research regarding the impact of the practical arts and career/ technical education on academic progress in other core subjects. Findings will be compiled into a formal document given to state affiliates, relevant associations and legislative groups.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEM 95
Adopted as Modified

The National Education Association-Representative Assembly recommends NEA promote National Inclusive Schools Week (NISW), this year December 3-7, 2007 thru the NEA Today email communications to state and local presidents and the NEA Website.