Teachers unions across the country, including the one from Nashville, say major changes to the No Child Left Behind Act are among its top priorities this year.
The National Education Association is meeting for its annual Representative Assembly in Philadelphia this week.
The major education initiative launched five years ago by President Bush is up for reauthorization this September.
President of the Metro Nashville Teachers Union, Eric Huth, says the union is planning to lobby Congress for fewer tests, particularly in urban school districts, reduced class sizes, and changes in the requirements for teachers to meet “highly qualified” standards. Huth says the current requirements are unrealistic, especially for Metro teachers.
“Elementary teachers teach so many different subjects, special education teachers teach so many subjects that getting everybody highly qualified under the law really doesn’t mean they’re any better qualified as a teacher.”
Under No Child Left Behind, teachers must have either a bachelor’s degree or state certification to prove they know each subject they teach.
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