Platform & Priorities 

Every fall at the Representative Assembly, Missouri NEA updates the Legislative Platform and Priorities. The Platform details the education-related issues that MNEA and its members find important. MNEA’s Legislative Priorities (found below) is a summary of the Platform. To download a full printable version of the Platform and the Priorities, click on the links to the right.

Missouri's Public Schools: A Great Investment
Missouri NEA’s 2012 legislative priorities

Missouri NEA believes that every child has a basic right to attend a great public school. Missouri’s teachers are deeply committed to the success of every child. Missouri NEA’s legislative platform contains an education agenda that puts students at the center of reform. MNEA also continues to lead the fight to defeat the proposals that would harm public education.

Investing in classroom priorities
that build the foundation for student learning

Missouri NEA believes adequate and equitable school funding is a fundamental right for every student.

1. The state must invest in classroom priorities that support student learning: early childhood education, smaller class sizes and a well-rounded education that will prepare students to compete in the worldwide economy.
2. The state is no longer meeting the funding requirements of its own funding law, and in the 2012-13 school year and beyond, the sole impact of the cuts could fall on the most vulnerable, the so-called “formula” districts.
3. The state provides only 31 percent of school funding, while districts now provide nearly twice as much.
4. Missouri’s average teacher salary ranks 49th in the nation, and the state’s total teaching staff dropped by 3,000 last year.

MNEA supports responsible tax policy to fund adequate and sustainable investment in public education.

1. Tax cuts and tax limitations have reduced the state’s ability to invest in public structures, such as our public schools, which we all need and benefit from.
2. Improved corporate tax accountability will ensure that tax incentives are used responsibly.

MNEA opposes the massive sales tax expansion and increase known as the Everything Tax.

1. The proposal would reduce total state revenues, perhaps by more than three billion dollars, and cripple state funding for public schools.
2. The proposal saddles most Missourians with more tax burden during a difficult time and shifts tax liability away from wealthy individuals and corporations.

Ensuring every child has a qualified,
caring and committed teacher

Missouri NEA supports legislation requiring every school district to establish and maintain a high quality teacher evaluation system consistent with the NEA policy statement.

Teaching evaluation systems must be professional, objective and transparent and provide teachers with meaningful feedback and appropriate support to enhance practice and improve student learning.

MNEA opposes eliminating the current tenure law. 

1. The current tenure law seeks to ensure that the dismissal process is both fair and expedient.
2. Districts already have the legal tools to dismiss ineffective teachers promptly.
3. Where issues arise, the district usually lacks a thorough evaluation process that provides appropriate feedback and support.

 
Creating an effective partnership
that holds everyone accountable for children’s success

Missouri NEA supports collective bargaining rights for all education employees to promote school environments where educators and students can excel.

1. Teachers and other employees are better able to ensure they have adequate resources in schools and classrooms when they have an equal voice in establishing their working conditions through collective bargaining.
2. Implementing legislation should provide for exclusive recognition and good faith bargaining to reach amicable agreements.

MNEA opposes efforts to limit school employees’ right to pay union dues or other payments through payroll deduction.

MNEA believes charter public schools should be accountable, transparent and respectful of the rights of students, parents and school employees.

1. Charter schools are independent public schools.
2. Charter sponsorship and territory should not be expanded until the standards for charter schools and sponsors are revised and shown to be equivalent to standards for district schools.

MNEA believes state accountability systems and intervention in districts should focus on bringing the community together to better support the schools.

Legislation should restore local control regarding enrollment of non-resident students to ensure that district capacity is evaluated and respected.