By Fritz Edelstein
June 27, 2005

During the annual meeting's Sunday Plenary Session, Reg Weaver, President of the National Education Association (NEA), spoke about the importance of education to America's cities. He was pleased that education was included in a conversation about America's infrastructure. "Just like roads, bridges, water systems and railroads, public schools are part of the nation's infrastructure. They are part of the critical foundation that keeps your cities and our great nation moving forward," Weaver said.

There continues to be a significant achievement gap between White, African American and Hispanic students whether they live in urban centers or rural communities. These children attend schools that are overcrowded, in ill repair, lack textbooks and other basic supplies. With more than fifty years since the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, America's public schools are still a long way from achieving Justice Thurgood Marshall's definition of equal: "Getting the same thing, at the same time and in the same place."

Weaver went on to say that to have great public schools requires risk takers who understand that in order for this nation to provide every child with a quality education, there is a need to understand that a one'size-fits'all education does not work. He believes that mayors can be an advocate and risk taker for a quality education for every child in their city.

The NEA agrees with the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act, but currently the statute and its funding falls far short of achieving its goals. Weaver went on to say that, "creating great public schools requires more than a law."

Weaver railed against unfunded mandates and congratulated the mayors for making it a top priority. He views mayors as the leading group concerned with the issue, which includes the No Child Left Behind Act. He went on to explain why the NEA sued the federal government over the statute because there have not been sufficient funds appropriated to carry out the requirements of the law. Weaver used a phrase that caught everyone's attention to describe the problem of unfunded mandates — "If you regulate, you have to compensate."

Weaver also thanked the mayors for passing a policy resolution that asks to improve the No Child Left Behind Act through several mid-courses corrections. He stated, "It demonstrates that as the keepers of the infrastructures for all cities all cross this nation, you [mayors] recognize public education as part of that infrastructure and you are committed to making them as strong as they can be."

He closed his remarks by urging mayors to take the lead in their city and call for the resources necessary to make high quality teaching a priority and to speak out on behalf of programs that provide incentives for teachers to remain in the profession. Weaver asked the mayors to join in the partnership to ask Congress to provide the necessary funds to fully fund No Child Left Behind and other education programs. He ended his remarks by saying, "You [mayors] have a critical role to play. Let us join together and close the achievement gap for good. Let us stand together in the effort to make every public school great so that we can truly leave no child behind."