Why has the NEA been so successful in snowing the culture into believing that it is an organization that is dedicated to the education of the nation’s youth? Well, perhaps it is because they have skillfully presented written propaganda in which the readers have failed to read its hidden agenda, between the lines. In our ongoing study of the NEA resolutions we will learn to see the message that lies between the lines of the writings in the resolutions.
A-2. Educational Opportunity for All
The National Education Association believes that each student has the right to a free public education that should be suited to the needs of the individual and guaranteed by state constitutions and the United States Constitution. Education is a lifelong process, and public education serves a constituency that embraces all age groups. Access to and opportunities for postsecondary education should be widely available, and no qualified student should be denied such opportunities because of financial considerations.
The Association also believes that all schools must be accredited under uniform standards established by the appropriate agencies in collaboration with the Association and its affiliates, and that the accreditation process must provide sufficient flexibility to enable individual schools to achieve educational excellence and respond to the needs of their students and community. The development of a periodic review of locally established programs should involve community members, parents/guardians, students, teachers, and education support professionals. The Association further believes that individuals, at their expense, should be free to choose, to supplement, or to substitute education in privately supported, nonsegregated, nonpublic schools.
The Association believes tax-exempt status should be denied to those institutions whose policies and/or practices prevent the integration of the institutions. (1969, 2006)
Well, to start with, in the first paragraph, does the Association have the slightest idea from where the free public education is going to get its funding? The last time I checked, public education was very heavily funded from TAX DOLLARS! So, I think it is fair to say that public education is anything but free. But so very nice of them to offer up the services of our tax dollars. Could this generosity possibly include illegals and anyone else who doesn’t pay taxes? Maybe.
Additionally, since they have themselves failed to address, adequately, the needs of individuals, academically, it is nice to note that the sentiment is there for us to consider. No institutional educational setting can address the needs of each individual. It was never the nature of the beast. They must teach to a collective because they are established to do so. Individual needs can only be met on a one to one basis. But interjecting the suggestion that your child’s individual needs will or can be met is does leave us all with a warm fuzzy image of public education, which was the purpose of the statement to begin with. Can they be more effective in meeting higher standards to a greater number of their charges? Yes, but they seem to be failing miserably in doing so. Also, do they also want to get into the business of twisting the constitutions of states and the federal government to require that they have endless resources to fund widely available opportunities from cradle to grave? You betcha! Nice of them to be so liberal with our taxes.
The second paragraph outlines better than any other the true agenda of the NEA. It wants to control every aspect of education for every person throughout the land. If you haven’t been watching the great debate that has ensued concerning Race To The Top or Core Curriculum Standards, you can get the absolute understanding of the true agenda here. The NEA wants to be the sole standard setter for what ever your children and/or any member of our culture learns. That is the only way they can successfully shape the culture in the direction they envision. It wants to control the way in which your children learn and who teaches them. That would certainly abolish any form of private or homeschooling, both effective and established forms of education since time began. And anyone who has ever tried to be involved in the development of programs in public education knows that rarely, if ever, are community members, parents or guardians chosen to participate in development of programs and activities in the public school forum unless they are sympathetic to the mindset of the NEA philosophy. Additionally let us not forget to commend the Association for allowing us to choose to supplement, at our own expense, educational choices for our children, after of course, we fully fund public education with our taxes. Very nice of them.
A-3. Understanding and Support of Public Education
The National Education Association recognizes its responsibility to promote an understanding of the history and continuing importance of public education and to support public education and public education employees. The Association encourages wide community and parental participation in achieving and maintaining educational excellence. The Association believes that school boards and other stakeholders also have a responsibility to promote public understanding of the importance of public schools.
The Association also believes that the success of our nation depends upon high standards of educational excellence. The Association supports a positive school environment; excellence in teaching; high standards for success, learning, and student behavior; and extensive parental involvement. The
1Association also recognizes its responsibility to promote excellence in public education and supports efforts to improve it. (1969, 2007)
A-3 is the perfect example of how the NEA throws in just enough vernacular and mixed message so as to keep you guessing as to their commitment to quality education vs. chasing the money. It is also quick to spread the responsibility around in promoting its obligation to promote public educational buy in.
A-4, Parental Involvement and A-6, Excellence in Education continue to purport that a partnership with the community is essential to address mutual interests. Buy in is important, for a variety of reasons. And the NEA is a master at achieving buy in.
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