The union's commitment to ending the achievement gap gains momentum from the symposium and continues with action steps. NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi promised participants he will personally continue to keep the issue front and center on the union's political agenda. The statewide union will:
1. Publish a white paper in the spring that documents the full symposium and recommended action. Materials and tapes of sessions at the symposium are being made available at www.nysut.org.
2. Continue coverage in New York Teacher, highlighting the issue and sharing success stories of schools that are narrowing the achievement gap.
3. Continue a traveling dialogue with stakeholders, including education advocates, business leaders, lawmakers, parents and community groups. Iannuzzi will convene coalition-building breakfast forums across the state.
4. Press forward with NYSUT's Legislative Program highlighting gap-closing initiatives such as early-childhood education, appropriate class size and support for novice teachers.
5. Highlight the issue at upcoming events, including the "Celebration of Teaching" in New York City, which draws thousands of educators in March.
6. Follow up with an "Ending the Gap" initiative at NYSUT's policy-making Representative Assembly in early April.