Resolutions Committee Proposes 2001 Platform and Resolutions

School Administrator, Oct, 2000

At its August meeting, the AASA Resolutions Committee drafted the following proposed platform and resolutions for the association for 2001. The platform and all resolutions will be discussed and voted on at the Delegate Assembly, February 15, 2001, at the 2001 National Conference on Education to be held in Orlando, Fla.

Written comments are welcome. They should be directed to Karin VandeWater either via e-mail at kvandewater@aasa.org or at 1801 N. Moore St., Arlington, VA 22209.

PROPOSED PLATFORM

(What are AASA's beliefs?)

The unique purpose of our country's public education system is to educate ALL students to high standards. Quality education requires superior leadership, sufficient funding, effective instruction, competent staff appropriate programs, suitable facilities, community and parental support and involvement. AASA supports strong local control through duly elected or appointed school boards that acknowledge the superintendent, a professional education administrator, as the chief executive officer of the district. Therefore, the American Association of School Administrators declares the following as its platform:

A. Condition of Children and Students

AASA believes educational leaders should support programs and systems that:

1) help build stable, supportive and involved families that nurture children;

2) invest in and build on the strengths and diversity of communities to ensure that every child in America enjoys his or her right to grow and develop in a healthy and safe environment, with his or her nutritional and educational needs met;

3) offer services that provide for the basic health, well-being and personal security of all students so that they can focus on learning rather than survival; and

4) engage national and state organizations and institutions in the development, adoption and implementation of a national public policy on children. Such a policy should include, but not be limited to, the enactment of a proposed Children's Rights amendment to the Constitution and legislation that addresses the following issues:

* Education

* Nutrition

* Health care and,

* Child care.

This commitment to children requires that AASA and other state and national organizations be accountable for rethinking and, where appropriate, for reforming public education. AASA pledges its resources to lead this effort.

B. Safe Schools

AASA believes that children have a right to live in a safe and nurturing environment. Therefore, the opportunity to learn in a safe and nurturing place is a fundamental right of every child in America. Students cannot learn without it. AASA urges all districts to review policies directed to protect students, but also to keep in mind that the pursuit of a safe environment must be tempered by a balanced emphasis on the protection of individual student's rights.

A greater connection between adults and children is essential to support the development of healthy and responsible youth. Every student should have a nurturing relationship with at least one educator who knows and cares for that child. AASA encourages schools to work closely with community, civic, corporate and faith-based organizations in the development and promotion of programs and activities that promote respect and civility in our culture. Specifically we support mentorships, after-school and summer school programs, community service and any other activity that will enable youngsters to become engaged in constructive activities and interact with responsible, caring adults.

All adults must be held accountable and responsible for keeping children safe, including responsible gun ownership and any other issues that threaten the safety of children.

C. Educational Programs

AASA believes that children will rise to meet higher expectations for learning. Therefore, schools for the 21st century must embody:

1) high expectations for all students, challenging curriculum, engaging instruction and assessment systems geared toward increasing students' learning;

2) school leadership that results in greater success for all students;

3) state-of-the-art programs and facilities;

4) shared commitment among members of the educational community to provide equal opportunity and quality results for all students;

5) identified values embedded in the structure and organization of schools and the everyday actions of all school employees; and

6) adequate resources to provide quality results.

D. School Administrators

1) AASA believes continuous professional and personal development of all employees should be a high priority of school boards.

2) AASA believes only higher education degrees received from colleges and universities accredited by regional associations or the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education should be recognized for the preparation, appointment and promotion of school leaders.

3) AASA believes multiyear contracts for administrators are desirable because they provide an opportunity for stable and quality educational leadership.

4) AASA believes compensation for school administrators should be comparable to salaries and benefits paid to individuals with similar responsibilities in the private sector.