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NEA Policy Publications


NEA Publications


compiled by NEA staff



The following resources highlight the work being done in NEA's state affiliates, and offer ideas on how to impact policy that will help to close the achievement gaps.

NEA 2008-09 Policy Briefs 

Other NEA Policy Publications

  • Closing Achievement Gaps: An Association Guide (PDF, 744KB, 110pp)
    A guide on policy, practice, and programs to assist NEA affiliates in addressing achievement gaps at the state level.
  • Full-Day Kindergarten: An Advocacy Guide  (2007)
    Full-day kindergarten is an essential bridge between pre-k and the primary grades. NEA believes that full-day kindergarten is a critical component of closing the achievement gaps for young children from non-English speaking and low-income families.
  • NEA on Prekindergarten and Kindergarten (2004) ( PDF, 748KB, 16pp)
    NEA believes that all children ages three and four should have access to prekindergarten programs that are high quality, universal and publicly funded. Research shows that a child exposed to good preschool programs before age five will reap lifetime benefits. Quality preschool also increases the chances of a student doing better in early grades, closing the achievement gap and graduating from high school.
  • NEA's 12-Point Action Plan for Reducing the School Dropout Rate 
    NEA has a 12-point plan that incorporates the most promising actions supported by experience and data.
  • Preventing Future High School Dropouts
    A resource for affiliates in addressing policies, programs, and practices in preventing students from dropping out of school.
  • State Legislative Successes (June 2007)
    Brief stories of nine NEA state affiliates that have secured public policies and associated funding for closing the achievement gaps in 2006-07, seven of them with help from an NEA Grant to Close Achievement Gaps, which was made available to interested states. 

NEA Grants for State Affiliates


NEA is taking a leadership role in improving achievement for all students and closing the achievement gaps, particularly for low-income and minority students. To do this, NEA is working with state affiliates in securing public policies and associated funding for closing the achievement gaps. NEA provides information, resources, and technical assistance to support state affiliates' efforts to secure policy changes to close gaps through:

  • Passing statewide legislation
  • Changing state regulations
  • Modifying the scope or content of negotiated agreements or local contracts
  • Changing state affiliate policy to position the affiliate for statewide action

NEA Grants to Close Student Achievement Gaps, 2006-2007 ( PDF, 688KB, 30pp)
This report summarizes the work that's been done to date.

Related Content


C.A.R.E.: Strategies for Closing Achievement Gaps
Research-based classroom and school strategies for teachers and other educators.

NEA Research, Tools, & Talking Points  - Resources for closing achievement gaps.

Resources from Other Organizations on Achievement Gaps - Reports & Web sites on closing achievement gaps.