2003 Convention

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) believes that educating our nation’s children and adults is one of the most important functions for a democratic society.  The opportunities that a free public education affords our nation’s citizens are a right that must be preserved and strengthened.  AFSA believes that state governments and the federal government must maintain a strong public education system available to all to support them in becoming productive citizens.  Therefore, AFSA will take an active stand to defend and improve our nation’s public schools.  Because of this

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) is committed to protect and fight for the human and civil rights of children and adults.  AFSA calls upon all Americans to eliminate – by statute and practice – barriers to race, color, national origin, religion, philosophical beliefs, political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, size, marital status, and economic status that prevent some individuals, adult or juvenile, from exercising rights enjoyed by others, including liberties decreed in common law, the Constitution, and statutes of the United States.  Furthermor

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) believes that it is our obligation to promote excellence in our nation’s public schools.  Strong leadership is the cornerstone of effective public schools.  AFSA locals and members are encouraged to promote the highest standards for their staff, students and communities.

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) believes that all children have a right to a free public education in schools that are accredited by the appropriate agencies and meet uniform standards.  Furthermore, public education must address the needs of individual students and be guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the United States.

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) acknowledges a national crisis in the recruitment, preparation and retention of strong school leaders.  It is the obligation of current school administrators to identify and encourage potential school leaders.  AFSA supports the creation of specific initiatives designed to recruit and retain competent and credentialed public school administrators and supervisors.  The implementation of such initiatives must include the input and participation of AFSA locals.  The preparation of school leaders must include:

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) believes that support programs are essential in assisting struggling public school administrators and supervisors.  Such programs should be developed, implemented and evaluated as a joint effort between the school district and the AFSA local.

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) believes that public school administrators and supervisors must receive specific leadership professional development in order to maintain the highest standards for public education.  Such professional development programs must improve the knowledge and skills important to school leadership and provide the opportunity to learn and apply new practices and techniques.

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) is concerned about the quality of life as it affects the development and education of our children.  AFSA believes that policies and programs must be designed to promote and improve urban development, economic growth, zoning, land use, mass transit, rent subsidy and other issues affecting urban community development.  AFSA also feels that professional organizations, businesses, and the government should form partnerships to help improve our urban areas.  AFSA’s goal is to assist public school systems in educating all children to the hi

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) believes in high standards.  Accountability must be a shared responsibility of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and government.  Professional educators must be involved in the development and maintenance of these standards.  High stakes testing should not be the sole criterion for performance evaluation of administrators, teachers, or students.  In order to meet the challenges presented to schools, the federal, state, and local governments must provide full funding for the ‘No Child Left Behind’ mandate.

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) will encourage early identification and provision of additional resources to meet the needs of students at risk of failing prior to labeling and placing them in discrete special education programs.  Children with special needs require the specialized skill of teachers and administrators who have advanced training in special education.  AFSA supports the full federal funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).