At 2017 NEA Representative Assembly, Educators Vow to Hold Strong, Defend Public Education
Vigorous debates and discussions over social justice, the dangers posed by the Trump-DeVos education agenda, and ending the proliferation of unaccountable charter schools dominated the 96th NEA Representative Assembly (RA) held July 2 – 5 at the Boston Convention Center. While addressing the serious challenges facing students and public education dominated the week, the spirits of delegates were lifted by emotional presentations from student poets that kicked off each day’s activities and a rapturously received appearance by actor and reading advocate LeVar Burton.
In her keynote address on Day 1, NEA President Lily Eskelsen García didn’t sugarcoat the dire challenges facing public education in the Trump era. But “we can win. We have the power, and they know it,” she said.
Eskelsen García assured the 7,000 delegates that NEA would not try to find common ground with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who is pursuing an aggressive school privatization agenda, while refusing to protect our most vulnerable students from discrimination.
7,000 delegates attended the 2017 NEA Representative Assembly (Photo: Rick Runion)
“I will not allow the National Education Association to be used by Donald Trump or Betsy DeVos,” Eskelsen García told the delegates to resounding applause. “I do not trust their motives. I do not believe their alternative facts. I see no reason to assume they will do what is best for our students and their families. There will be no photo-op!”
Giving the close of Day 1 the feel of an organizing rally, NEA Executive Director John At 2017 NEA Representative Assembly, Educators Vow to Hold Strong, Defend Public Education: