Together with a national delegation 6,000 strong, more than 90 CEA members this week participated in the world’s largest deliberative body—the National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly—to advance the work of the country’s largest labor union in support of quality public education.
Throughout the weeklong event, held in Orlando, Florida, delegates debated legislative and organizational policies and amendments. Nearly 100 new business items were brought before the delegation, more than a third of which passed, with several others referred to relevant committees for further consideration.
Among the key new business items adopted during the 2023 NEA RA were initiatives to
Recognize anti-LGBTQ discrimination and violence directed at people identifying or perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or intersex and develop political strategies to defend public education and the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people; combat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric, especially at the local school board level; improve school climate and culture, particularly addressing LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, suicide, and the need for access to gender-affirming care; expand partnerships and grant opportunities for educator-led professional development, particularly in areas of using pronouns, supporting transitioning students, and LGBTQ-inclusive practices and policies; and update bargaining guidance around LGBTQ+ issues, including access to gender-affirming care.
Elevate culturally responsive pedagogy by engaging members, developing a resource bank of curricular resources across multiple disciplines and digital platforms, and examining culturally responsive pedagogy in educator prep programs
Enact gun safety legislation through statewide task forces addressing safe storage of firearms, red flag laws, universal background checks, gun purchase waiting periods, and limits or bans on the purchase of assault rifles
Strengthen public education as the cornerstone of democracy through shareable, NEA-developed advocacy tools related to recent Supreme Court rulings
Disseminate best practices for educators of newcomer students, those whose first language is not English, and those who have not attended schools in the U.S. for more than three cumulative years
Develop a strategic program to help Republican members advance a pro-public education agenda within the Republican Party
For more on this year’s NEA RA, including photos and videos, click here.
