NEA Conference Explores “Value of Public
Education”
In an effort to address the complicated and politically
charged economics of K-12 education, the National Education
Association (NEA), the nation’s largest teachers
union, hosted a conference May 11-13, 2006 in San Diego,
CA. The conference addressed such questions as:
How does investing in public education positively
impact a state’s economy? What is the value
of public education? How do current state economic
and tax policies impact a state’s economy and,
as a direct result, impact school funding?
By focusing on the impact of economic policies on education,
and of school quality on the economy, the conference
addressed the ways in which improvements to these systems
can be mutually obtained.
T.E.F.
The conference centered on a major NEA research issue,
a triumvirate of economic policy issues affecting education:
Tax structure, Economic development policy, and Funding
for schools, or T.E.F. Several conference pre-workshops
covered the basics of this concept, as NEA researchers
explained that “T.E.F. focuses on the inseparable
connection between taxes, the economy, and funding for
schools to illuminate the many benefits of public education,”
and introduced data to help conference participants
communicate the concept to others.
The introduction to T.E.F. allowed conference presenters
to delve into more specific detail during the full conference.
An opening session covered “Investment Returns
from Reducing Inadequate Education,” a topic presented
by Henry Levin that is based on the results of the Levin’s
symposium
at the Campaign for Educational Equity, Teachers College,
Columbia University. Other sessions included “Reversing
the Tide: Taking Action to Close Tax Loopholes in Your
State,” “21st-Century Skills: The Economic
Argument for Investing in Our Schools,” “Tax
Loopholes: Lost Revenue, Lost Opportunities,”
and a general session entitled “Working with Allies
to Bring about Workable Fiscal Accountability Requirements.”
Speakers and Participants
The NEA conference brought together experts from across
the country. Presenters from Utah, Wisconsin, California,
and other states also represented diverse areas of expertise,
as some came from state-level NEA affiliates while others
represented non-profit organizations or academic institutions.
This diversity allowed conference participants to forge
a broad-based understanding of the T.E.F. concept, and
to develop a variety of strategies that will “increase
public awareness,” “ensure everyone’s
equal chance at success,” and “reclaim and
build upon the American Dream.”
Reg Weaver, NEA president, delivered the keynote. He
emphasized the need to give every American child a great
public school in their community and, through anecdotes
of schools he has visited recently, discussed the inequities
that are the current reality for “too many of
our children.”
Molly Hunter, National Access Network Director, led
a discussion about the school funding lawsuits across
the country and how litigation can be a mechanism to
secure better education resources and improved opportunity.
2006 Quality Education Conference
Many of the issues explored during the NEA conference
will be touched upon when Access convenes its sixth
annual conference, “Schools
for Our Future: Ensuring Quality Education for All Children”.
The conference will feature sessions on real-world success
in diverse communities, economic and tax policy and
school finance reform, and assessing voucher, charter,
and private school management options. For more information,
please go here.
Prepared by Nelly Ward, May 13, 2006 |
