Mike Myslinski at 408-921-5769 or mmyslinski@cta.org
BURLINGAME – Dean E. Vogel, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association, issued this statement today about President Obama’s new proposals regarding states seeking relief from the flawed No Child Left Behind Act. Vogel is in Washington, D.C. to meet with lawmakers and to attend a meeting of the National Education Association’s Board of Directors:
“Today's recognition by the Obama administration that public schools and students need quick relief from the burdens caused by No Child Left Behind and its regulations, like labeling students and schools based on one test on one day during the school year, is a welcome recognition of what educators have been saying for years. We also appreciate his call for adequate resources for students, schools and teachers.
“Unfortunately, the administration’s waiver proposal process swaps one federal, top-down mandate for another and continues to hold states and local schools hostage to the same unproven reforms of the Race to the Top competition. We need thoughtful discussions about what our kids need to succeed. We know that one-size-fits-all federal mandates don’t work and that parents and educators in local communities must be involved in determining what works best for their students. We look forward to working with the administration and Congress on real long-term solutions built on reforms proven to help students and schools.”
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The 325,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.