A rush to reauthorize the flawed No Child Left Behind Act could result in a new federal law that's even more problematic than the current one. That is the concern being raised by NYSUT and its national affiliates just days after House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., released 1,000 pages of draft revisions to NCLB and called for a speedy committee review.

NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira said the union is rigorously analyzing Miller's draft plan and is acting to press Washington for changes that make sense in the classroom. Working with the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, NYSUT has dispatched rank-and-file members to Washington to tell their representatives how NCLB is adversely affecting classrooms.

On the eve of the congressional hearing Sept. 10, Long Island activists Nancy Close of East Islip and Selina Durio of North Babylon rushed to Washington to make their case.

"It was grassroots lobbying at its best," said Durio, a special ed teacher and member of the NYSUT Board. "Congressman (Tim) Bishop came out into the hallway to meet with us and we explained how the draft bill is unacceptable. Our message was: Don't just tweak it. Make it right, because this is the future of education."

Durio said the draft does not provide a workable way to measure Adequate Yearly Progress, nor does it provide a real "growth model" that will fully credit gains in student achievement.

Neira said educators have had more than five years of experience with No Child Left Behind. During that time, she said, good schools have been stigmatized by the law's unfair and unscientific measure of Adequate Yearly Progress. "We've heard from our members that they're facing increasing pressure to teach to the test, and students' exposure to history, science, art and music has been eroded," Neira said.

Struggling schools have been hit with sanctions instead of help. And most recently, Neira noted, the federal law has imposed unfair testing on English language learners and special education students. NYSUT leaders have been working tirelessly to share concerns from the field with AFT and NEA as talks in Washington, D.C., suddenly shifted into high gear.

"Let's slow down and get it right," said AFT Executive Vice President Antonia Cortese, who testified before a hastily called House Education and Labor Committee hearing. "Let's be honest: much, much more work needs to be done, and much more serious dialogue needs to occur before a final bill is passed."

"Rushing the process will once again provide a law that is more slogan than substance," agreed NEA President Reg Weaver.

Weaver and Cortese told the panel the draft bill is unacceptable and the timetable "irresponsible." Miller said he plans to bring an NCLB bill before his committee by the end of this month, with the hope of winning passage from the House by the end of the year.

With the announcement of such a rushed timetable, the union reached out urgently to congressional representatives on the Education and Labor Committee. In New York, those key members include Reps. Timothy Bishop, D-Suffolk; Yvette Clark, D-Brooklyn; Randy Kuhl, R-Steuben; and Carolyn McCarthy, D-Nassau.

NEA and AFT leaders noted the draft plan has some positive changes, but it continues the focus on high-stakes testing, punishments, labeling of schools and unfunded federal mandates.

NYSUT would rather shift the focus to investing in smarter, proven ways to raise achievement: initiatives to reduce class size, increasing the training and retention of highly qualified teachers, expanding access to early childhood education and providing adequate funding for improved school facilities and materials.

Improving the learning and teaching environment is the most effective way to attract highly qualified teachers to work in hard-to-staff schools, Neira said.

The draft language also threatens a frontal assault on labor contracts, union leaders said. If this proposal becomes law, local school districts would be allowed to bypass collective bargaining laws regarding pay and arbitrary transfers.

Neira noted NYSUT is still reviewing proposed changes for Titles II-XI of NCLB, which were released just two days before the hearing.

"In the next week, we'll be communicating with our members and leaders and activating our Political Action Committee to get the word out," Neira said.

Working with AFT, NYSUT has been participating in a series of "town hall" meetings with several members of New York's congressional delegation. More will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Additional lobbying sessions will be set up through the end of the month during this pivotal "crunch" time.

Neira said NYSUT will continue to keep members aware of developments and calls to action through its Web site, http://www.nysut.org/.

— Sylvia Saunders