How Do They Measure Up? NCAE Releases Report Card on Legislators' Support of Public Education

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Educators regularly issue report cards for student performance in school, so why not grade legislators for their performance in supporting public schools?

"Legislators are key decision-makers in public education funding and education issues," said NCAE President Sheri Strickland. "The effects of cuts and policy decisions made in Raleigh trickled down to children in very real ways. With the lost of more than 4,000 educators' jobs, North Carolina's students lost experienced classroom teachers, teacher assistants in early grades and resources for the classroom – every cut made in the General Assembly is felt by a student in a public school."

The 2009 NCAE Legislative Report Card will reveal which legislators made the grade and who failed when it comes to public education funding, votes on key education issues and overall standards, including accessibility and reliability. NCAE leaders will be joined by A+ legislators – only a select few earned this highest distinction – and special guest speakers who will discuss the impact of cuts and the importance making public education a top legislative priority.

More than 1,000 educators will attend the 40th annual NCAE state convention, March 18-20, at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. This press event kicks off the Association's annual meeting of educators from across the state.

NCAE is the state's largest education association, representing nearly 60,000 active, retired and student members.

SOURCE North Carolina Association of Educators