The Arkansas Education Association is a member-driven organization. The annual Representative Assembly (RA) is the AEA's chief policymaking body. Each spring, local association members elect their delegates to the RA. Between representative assemblies, policy decisions are made by the 43-member AEA Board of Directors. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the AEA employs 32 professional and technical/support staff to implement the programs and services of the Association.

All benefits, programs and services of the Association are designed to improve the quality of education offered Arkansas school children and contribute to attracting and retaining the best and brightest teachers and support professionals for our public schools.

PROGRAMS

Instructional Policy and Practices

The AEA offers the largest single opportunity for professional development each fall at the AEA Convention. The many workshops conducted range from innovative classroom management techniques to "Teacher to Teacher" sessions focusing on proven instructional methods.

The AEA recognizes the current shortage of classroom teachers presents a temptation to lower standards and requirements for new recruits. The Association has and will continue to protect educational quality by resisting any attempt to place unqualified individuals in our public school classrooms.

Government Relations

So many of the issues facing educational employees today are decided by those who hold elective office. Whether it's the Arkansas legislature, State Board of Education or your local school board, the AEA has been and continues to be there as an advocate for educational employees and public education.

Virtually every benefit, security and salary dollar guaranteed by state law is a direct result of the AEA's successful work with the legislature.

Member Benefits

The AEA and NEA have developed a wide range of products and services desired by most members for every day living. From credit cards with travel rewards, to auto, homeowners, disability insurance, long term care, home financing, signature loans, and entertainment discounts. The Association helps members stretch their dollars.

AEA-NEA UniServ Program

Purpose

To provide at the local level, professional staff, support staff assistance and facilities necessary to enable association leaders and members to achieve local, state and national goals.

Program

The UniServ program is a partnership effort of the National Education Association, the Arkansas Education Association and its local affiliates. The program is provided to local affiliates within state affiliates or to local affiliates through state affiliates.

UniServ Director

The UniServ Director plays a vital role in the association's strategies for affiliate capacity building by providing the service and program delivery "link" between the local, state and national levels. From the development of local association goals, objectives and activities to collective bargaining training, the UniServ Director serves as your consultant, partner and advocate.

Legal Services

It's been said, "bad things happen to good people". If you are a public school employee, you will find comfort in knowing the Association Legal Services Program provides professional and/or legal representation when the bad things occur.

AEA employs twelve trained field staffers and two law firms to protect members' rights to a fair hearing or their "day in court". Another saying is, "don't enter the school without your membership."

Contract Negotiations/Personnel Policies

The twelve members of the AEA field staff, operating from a statewide network of nine regional offices, provide training, consulting and support for local associations involved in contract negotiations or personnel policy development. All AEA staff are an e-mail, a toll-free or local phone call away.

Communications/Public Relations

The AEA understands how important it is to make the public aware of the wonderful success stories that occur every day in our public schools. That's why the AEA works with other organizations in coalitions, community partnerships and with the media to tell the positive side of our public schools.

The AEA also publishes the Educator, an every-member newspaper and develops public service and paid announcements heard and seen across the state.

If you'd like to know more about any of the Association's programs, Contact Us.