Working closely with union affiliates in the Gulf Coast region, the AFT recently took the lead in helping to develop federal legislation that provides financial incentives to attract and retain teachers, paraprofessionals and other education leaders committed to working in Gulf Coast public schools and colleges.

Introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the Revitalizing New Orleans by Attracting America's Leaders Act of 2007 (RENEWAAL) the U.S. House bill also includes assurances that schools in the affected areas will be open to all eligible students and that all applicable civil rights protections will be enforced. And the legislation opens the door for union members to have a voice in designing a system that works for students and teachers.

"Congress has taken an important step to help rebuild the public school systems in areas devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita," AFT president Edward J. McElroy says. "In doing so, it lays the groundwork for establishing a collaborative process for teachers, their unions, parents and other stakeholders to be a part of that revitalization."

The AFT and its affiliates in Louisiana, "look forward to working with lawmakers, administrators and all other interested parties to ensure that educating the children of the Gulf region re-mains the ultimate goal of this effort," McElroy says.