The NEA's legislative goals for the 107th Congress include recommending that the federal government "partner" with the states to "make substantial, targeted new investments to ensure that every child enters school ready to learn." This means universal preschool and full funding for Head Start and the new Early Learning Opportunities Act.
Lobbying priorities for FY 2002 also include spending increases for Title I, class size reduction, and before- and after-school programs; full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and increased funding for modernizing school facilities.
The NEA noted as a "significant bipartisan victory" the "historic" $6.5 billion (18%) increase in education funding for FY 2001, and expressed support for "an overall increase of $14 billion for education and related programs for 2002." The union rejoiced over the rejection of voucher provisions to the ESEA reauthorization bill (H.R. 1) and called for passage of gun-control and hate crimes legislation.
Source: Advancing NEA's Legislative Program, July 2001
Eagle Forum
