Gale Encyclopedia of American Law Volume 7 P21 fully illuminates today's leading cases, major statutes, legal terms and concepts, notable persons involved with the law, important documents and more. Legal issues are fully discussed in easy-to-understand language, including such high-profile topics as the Americans with Disabilities Act, capital punishment, domestic violence, gay and lesbian rights, physician-assisted suicide and thousands more. | 1 88 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT OF 1 969 school teachers higher education faculty education support professionals school administrators and others interested in public education. The NEA which was founded in 1857 is the oldest and largest . organization dealing with public education comprising more than million members. Headquartered in Washington . the organization has approximately 555 staff members in its headquarters and regional offices. The association s budget for fiscal year 2006-07 was more than 307 million. The NEA has 51 state-level affiliates that include 50 state associations and the Federal Education Association. The more than 14 000 local NEA affiliates include approximately 800 higher education affiliates. Anyone who works for a public school district a college or university or any other public institution devoted primarily to education is eligible to join the NEA. It also has special membership categories for retired educators and college students studying to become teachers. The NEA is a volunteer-based organization supported by a network of staff at the local state and national levels. At the local level NEA affiliates are active in various capacities such as conducting professional workshops on discipline and bargaining contracts for school district employees. At the state level NEA affiliates regularly lobby legislators for the funds for public education campaign for higher professional standards for the teaching profession and file legal actions to protect academic freedom. At the national level the NEA coordinates innovative projects to restructure how learning takes place and lobbies Congress on behalf of public education. NEA members nationwide set association policy by meeting at their annual representative assembly every July. NEA members at the state and local levels elect the more than 9 000 assembly delegates who in turn elect the top NEA officers debate issues and set NEA policy. The NEA has been a vigorous opponent .
