The AFT’s biennial convention took place July 7-10 in Seattle — a refreshing clime for those of us suffering through this especially sweltering summer on the east coast.

Also refreshing was to see the passage of AFT’s resolution that advances our commitment to student success. Now, AFT has always been committed to the success of our students — that’s why we do this work in the first place, right? In fact the resolution states, “Promoting the success of their students is the overriding mission and day-to-day responsibility of front-line faculty who bring to their classrooms years of education and experience…”

However, given that so many stakeholders in higher education are now fully immersed in the business of developing standards of student assessment and accountability, this resolution calls on those stakeholders to support policies that reflect the perspective of those who engage with students everyday–front-line educators.

“…and, as practicing professionals, [front-line educators] have every right to claim primary expertise in matters of curriculum development, teaching and student assessment ,” the resolution says.

The AFT considers student success a top priority in its higher education agenda and will continue to focus the union’s higher education policy initiatives, communications and other activities around the educational needs of students. This website is part of that agenda, and we look forward to a continued dialogue with you–front-line educators–to help us continue to develop our own policies and perspectives around student success and accountability.

Read the full resolution, “Advancing Student Success in Higher Education” here.