NSBA Editorial: We have an impact on Congress

The main elements of that agenda include:

• NSBA’s bill to fix the problems in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB);

• the case for increasing Title I and special education funding by $2.5 billion each for fiscal year 2008;

• approaches for the federal government to support teacher effectiveness;

• initiatives to support preK education for school districts and parents who seek such programs; and

• initiatives to support 21st century skills such as advanced math science.

FRN members reported that in their individual meetings with their members of Congress, lawmakers were very open to addressing these important issues. The FRN got Congress’ attention. We set the stage for future action, as evidenced by some 151 members of Congress who have now signed the Pledge to America’s Schoolchildren -- which embodies NSBA’s legislative agenda.

In the coming months, this committed network of school board members and NSBA will be working to move the NSBA agenda through Congress.

We wish to thank those 1,000 school board leaders who came to the nation’s capital to advocate for America’s schoolchildren. We wish also to express our appreciation to those school districts that are participating in the National Affiliate program -- which has supported the expansion of NSBA’s presence on Capitol Hill at this crucial time. Many also actively serve on NSBA’s National Affiliate Advocacy Network, which has 2,600 members.

With members of Congress looking over their shoulders at the last election and concerned about the uncertainties of the next one, they need to be responsive to their local constituents. This creates an opportunity that can benefit public education tremendously -- provided there are enough local school board members who are willing to be national advocates for their districts.

Working together, NSBA, the FRN, and the National Affiliate Advocacy Network -- along with members of Con­gress -- can make a real difference in all of our districts.