Leading Education Associations Urge a New Federal Role in Public Education

Washington, DC (October 13, 2008) – Today, a partnership of 18 major national education associations released a statement calling for a new federal role in supporting success for all children in America’s public schools.  Transforming the Federal Role in America’s Public Schools outlines principles for federal involvement in public K-12 education. 

The Learning First Alliance (LFA) statement offers a framework to help a new president, administration, and Congress align federal policies with the needs of America’s more than 50 million public school students.  The LFA principles emphasize support for students in need, as well as more effective and transparent accountability among key players in the system.  The principles also call for greater collaboration among the federal government, states and districts.

“Now more than ever, we need federal policies that build public educators’ capacity to prepare all children to thrive in an increasingly challenging world,” said Brenda Welburn, LFA Board Chair and Executive Director of the National Association of State Boards of Education.  “In this time of alarming economic uncertainty, federal investments in education are critical investments in the nation’s long-term prosperity.”

LFA members said the federal effort to help states and school districts improve public education has gone astray in the past decade. The statement argues that the federal government has micromanaged schools from the top down without providing the support they require to succeed. It urges the federal government to provide the right kind of support to guarantee every child equal access to an excellent public school.

The LFA statement outlines six principles for federal involvement in public education:

• Support a Broad Vision of Student Learning.
• Ensure Adequate Funding for Students in Need. 
• Foster Shared Accountability for Student Learning.
• Encourage a Comprehensive Approach to Supporting Students and Families.
• Support Education Research and Development.
• Support the Education Profession.

“The Learning First Alliance statement represents the shared beliefs of organizations representing more than 10 million educators, parents and education policymakers -- the people in every county across the nation who work in and for public schools every day,” said LFA Vice Chair and National Education Association Executive Director John Wilson.  “No other group has more direct experience in what it will take to prepare public schools for the challenges of the 21st century.”

Alliance members agreed that the federal government’s role is to help states and localities create an environment where well-designed innovation and successful strategies can flourish.  “Across the country, public schools and their communities are implementing new strategies to give every student every chance to meet ambitious academic standards,” said LFA Executive Director Claus von Zastrow.  “But more must be done.  The federal government can play a critical role in accelerating school improvement by working with states and districts to create the conditions for this success.  Public education organizations are very eager to help make this happen.”

LFA leaders said they are collecting and publishing stories about successful public schools and school districts on its new website, www.publicschoolinsights.org.  The stories feature the kinds of innovative and effective practice that deserve federal support nationwide.

About Learning First Alliance
The Learning First Alliance is a permanent partnership of 18 leading education associations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools.  Alliance members include:  the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American Association of School Administrators, American Association of School Personnel Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, American School Counselor Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Association of School Business Officials International, Council of Chief State School Officers, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of State Boards of Education, National Education Association, National Middle School Association, National School Public Relations Association, National Staff Development Council, National PTA, National School Boards Association and Phi Delta Kappa International.  The Alliance maintains www.publicschoolinsights.org, a website that features what’s working in public schools and districts across the country.