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  Data, Collaboration and Laptops Support 21st Century Skills

  June 15, 2012 by Amy Buffenbarger

  North High School saw double digit gains in reading and science on their state test scores. How’d they do it? Building collaboration time into the schedule, focusing on literacy and helping students access technology.

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  Educators Aren’t Just Welcoming Change, They’re Leading It

  March 23, 2012 by Cindy Long

  Educators in priority schools are taking the helm of local school reforms while changing the perception of their profession and association. Learn about the work of NEA members in Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Maine and North Carolina.

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  Change Agents: Profiles of Union Leaders Driving Education Reform

  September 8, 2011 by PSC Editor

  The Summer 2011 issue of NEA Today magazine highlighted union-led efforts to help transform priority schools in some of America’s neediest communities. Here are the stories of five union leaders who were featured on the magazine’s cover and who are…

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  Spotlight Shines on NEA’s Priority Schools Campaign

  July 5, 2011 by Amy Buffenbarger

  Just two years after the 2009 Representative Assembly mandated NEA to create a program that would focus resources to transform struggling schools, delegates had a front row seat to view how the union is leading the way to change the…

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  Morale Takes a Hit, but Commitment is Strong

  July 2, 2011 by Brenda Álvarez

  In a perfect world, every public school teacher in America would be able to influence classroom instruction and size, have quality conversations with administrators, determine the best professional development and have the right resources needed to create student success. But…

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  Sharing the Wealth

  June 30, 2011 by Staci Maiers

  School reform. It’s the hot topic du jour. It seemingly produces a daily silver bullet answer that changes with each person asked. But what really works to transform public schools that have persistently struggled? Research gathered by the National Education…

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  School Transformation Commands Attention

  June 3, 2011 by Brenda Álvarez

  Iowa has produced more than its fair share of talent and some names that everyone knows. Think 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover, late night talk show host Johnny Carson, world-renowned opera singer Simon Estes, and even the iconic actor John…

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  Educators To the Rescue

  April 5, 2011 by PSC Editor

  Teacher Ginny Smith is sitting in a rocking chair, her second graders arrayed around her on the rug, trying to decide which animal to research and write about—quite a grown-up project for these small children. “Leopards!” says Chloe. “No, bush…

• Educating Refugees in the Heartland

  April 5, 2011 by Amy Buffenbarger

  By Amy Buffenbarger “Ok, let’s count 91 to 100 all together.” “I want to count one to 100 by myself!” Alex, a first-grader and Edmunds Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa, is a refugee from the African country of Burundi.…

• NEA Visits Priority Schools in Des Moines

  March 9, 2011 by PSC Editor

  Last week, NEA Executive Committee Members Greg Johnson and Len Paolillo visited four priority schools in Des Moines, Iowa. Melissa Spencer, President of the Des Moines Education Association organized the tours at Hoyt Middle School, North High School, Edmunds Elementary…