The National Education Association: Co-Creating New Models for Learning and Power in America's Schools

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Researchers have long lamented the disconnect between research and practice, but in spite of representing millions of educators, teachers unions are rarely included in research-practice partnerships. How can meaningful partnerships help us co-create the public school systems our students deserve? This session presents current examples of the NEA working in collaboration with other stakeholders to improve educational outcomes. It features NEA’s labor-management partnerships that ensure educator voice in decisions; Community Schools that leverage community services to transform schools; and a networked improvement community that is improving new educator support systems. A panel of researchers will discuss implications of these practices for the research community, exploring new possibilities for bridging the chasm that has existed between AERA and the NEA for many years.

Sub Unit

• Public Good: Power and Possibilities

Chair

• Leigh K Kennedy, National Education Association

Participants

• Virginia Adams Simon, California State University

• Jennifer M. Locke, National Education Association

• Erika D. Taylor, National Education Association

Papers

• Labor-Management Collaboration - Bernadine Futrell, National Head Start Association; Andrea Walker, National Education Association

• The Community Schools Movement - Andrea I. Prejean, National Education Association

Discussants

• Saul A. Rubinstein, Rutgers University

• Julia A. Daniel, University of Colorado - Boulder