This report reviews the opinions of the National Education Association (NEA) and the approaches taken by and concerns of employee associations that are state affiliates of the NEA. The NEA supports the concept of charters if appropriate standards are upheld and appropriate practices are enforced. The energy and enthusiasm being brought to the creation of charter schools are promoting better student attendance and enhanced parent and community involvement, but the jury is still out on the issue of large-scale gains in achievement. The California Teachers Association has helped in the development of many charter schools, as have teacher associations in Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Charter school laws are being written in a political climate of assaults on collective bargaining, teacher tenure, and school funding. Critics of charter schools would have the public believe that teacher union concerns run counter to public concerns about charter schools, but this is not necessarily true. State affiliates of the NEA do have concerns about charter schools, and the NEA itself has developed a Charter School Initiative with the following central themes: (1) high levels of student achievement; (2) teacher development; and (3) community involvement. Some state efforts in keeping with this initiative are profiled. The NEA has developed an evaluation and inquiry plan to guide the assessment and documentation of the implementation of charter schools. The NEA intends to maintain its guardian role with reference to legislation and implementation as it acts as a player in the charter schools movement. An attachment presents the "NEA Statement on Charter Schools." (SLD)