Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. - National

The new mega-union, with a combined membership of 3 million, would be a lobbying superpower in Washington. In years past, these unions have opposed the most basic pro-family education reforms. They bitterly oppose parental choice in education, disdain phonics, and promote gay rights."

1. In the Casey decision, Section III and IV, the Supreme Court adopts a standard of informed choice that is recommended as a standard for state agencies. Would such a standard be acceptable to the NEA?

2. Since abortion is no longer a fundamental right, school communities can structure a curriculum on abortion in any way desired by the citizens and their school board representatives. Does the NEA encourage community involvement, or does it wish to censor pro-life material favored by the taxpayers in a community?

3. Does the leadership of the NEA believe that students should have the freedom to learn about that decision that is directed towards their generation more than any other should?

4. Because Roe v Wade prevented schools from using tax dollars to create curriculums to limit abortion, one side of the abortion debate was silenced for a generation. Does the NEA owe an apology for this generation of censorship that we willingly accepted?

5. Debra DeLee, NEA's Director of Government Relations, wrote every member of the House of Representatives on July 29, 1992. She complained about Webster and Casey, said the two opinions ended abortion as a fundamental right, and said that the Court has "invited states to enact...restrictions...on women's reproductive freedom". Questions: Why does the NEA complain that states and communities have expanded rights...even those that would affect abortion? Isn't that the democratic process? Why should NEA want to limit the legislative options of the very taxpayers who indirectly fund the NEA?

6. Isn't the NEA's position on abortion education suited for the Roe era, and simply outdated for an era like the present when communities can structure curriculums on this topic in a way that reflects their values and sentiments?

7. Abortions take the life of one and one-half million children per year, approximately one child every 20 seconds, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Should we not be advocates for children? How do we explain our position five years from now when the climate may be quite different?

The reality is that there is a new day in abortion education.

Editor's Note: John Beasley is the President of Freedom to Learn (PO Box 511231, Punta Gorda FL 33951), an organization whose "primary objective is to ensure that the pro-life story receives equal balance and treatment in the public and private schools, as well as other institutions of learning."

Often we know who our local officers and building representatives are. However, most of our dues money, in fact - hundreds of dollars, goes beyond the local to other levels of the Association. Knowing who represents us and how they vote isn't just a matter of principle; it's a matter of how our dues money is being spent.

Comments are often heard that NEA and its state affiliates have a strong tradition of democratic governance. The NEA Representative Assembly, the main governing meeting of the Association, is the largest deliberative body in the world. During the Representative Assembly, delegates vote on issues that affect us in many ways. They adopt all the policies of the NEA, the budget and resolutions, enact legislative agendas, and consider many new business items. They also elect Association officers and vote on amendments to the governing documents.

All delegates are selected by their colleagues in the local and state affiliates to represent their view in the deliberation of the assembly. It is not too late to get involved. Details for running as a state delegate can be received from your state affiliate office. The state delegate elections will take place between now and mid-March.

For local delegate representation to the NEA RA, check with your local president. Election results from local affiliates are not due to their state affiliates until April 15. Unless your local Constitution & Bylaws allows for officers to serve as your delegates or allows for multi-year terms for delegates, most voting should take place between now and the first part of April.

So watch those local memos and newsletters carefully for NEA delegate election information. We will only get good representation when members take the time to get involved by educating ourselves about the candidates, and VOTING!