The Nation : NEA Blasts Mandated ‘Choice’ of Schools

The National Education Assn. adopted a resolution condemning state and federally mandated “choice” programs permitting parents to choose their children’s public schools, saying it damages quality education for all students. But the union is not opposing such plans if adopted by local authorities on their own. The teachers’ union, in its first policy statement on the hot education issue, said it opposes wide requirements for such programs and “continues to support alternative programs in the public schools for specific purposes.” The NEA plans to establish criteria for evaluating choice plans, according to a new-business item adopted at its Representative Assembly in Washington. Officials have said NEA supports magnet schools, alternative schools and other options.