NEA

In 2008, NEA members and their families were instrumental in electing President Barack Obama and in winning eight targeted Senate races and 40 of the congressional races targeted by the NEA Fund, building a majority of pro-public education lawmakers in Congress.

The NEA has ushered in a new era of leadership. And thanks to those efforts, we've already made significant progress in renewing America's commitment to public education

• The economic recovery law is creating or saving more than 267,000 teaching jobs and 40,000 education support jobs, while making the largest federal investment in education in history
• Raising the maximum Pell Grant for eligible students from $4,850 to $5,350
• $39.5 billion in relief for public school districts and public institutions of higher education
• More than $13 billion for Title I, which serves the nation’s neediest children
• More than $12 billion for students with disabilities.
• 4 million children were added to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
• The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act will bring us closer to equal pay for equal work for women and men.
• Executive Orders to spread worker protections and level the playing field for workers and the unions that represent them. The Administration also supports the Employee Free Choice Act that will protect the rights of workers to choose a union.
• The Middle Class Working Families Task Force, headed by Vice President Biden, will develop legislative and policy proposals to raise the living standards of America’s working families.
• The Budget passed by Congress lays the groundwork for building on the increases for education provided in the economic recovery package. It allows for significant investments in education and includes language to pave the way for action on health care reform this year.