From the President
Visualize How Candidate Positions May Impact Student Success and Your Career Stephanie Davis Howard
Educational issues can rarely be viewed through partisan lenses. Consider candidates who truly have the best interests of students and educators at heart.
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his is a critical year for educators. Issues of particular importance to our profession include the following: • Over-testing at the expense of teaching and learning. • Linking student test scores to TKES/LKES evaluations. • Underfunding of classified staff insurance. • Reducing class sizes to increase student success. • Restoring a full school year in all Georgia districts. • Replacing funds lost through austerity cuts. • Establishing state takeovers of “failing” schools by establishing an Opportunity School District. This is an election year, so it is imperative that educators and supporters of public school education participate in the voting process.
VOICE, OWNERSHIP, TURNOUT, EMPOWERMENT
VOICE: Our collective voice must be heard. Make sure that your colleagues are informed about issues regarding education in Georgia. Communicate your concerns to your state officials: the governor, legislators and the state school superintendent. Your participation in Georgia Department of Education and PAGE Legislative surveys is always appreciated. Beyond establishing our collective voice, these surveys help us develop strategies and initiatives as we approach state leaders. OWNERSHIP: As you consider your position on issues, familiarize yourself with candidates whose views are aligned with yours. Educational issues can rarely be viewed through partisan lenses. Consider candidates
who truly have the best interests of students and educators at heart. Educate yourself on the current issues — testing, evaluation and proposed changes in compensation and retirement — and visualize how your candidates’ positions may impact the following: • Your students’ academic success • Your educational values • Your future job security Examine all issues on the table during this election year and understand that “tabled, delayed or reconsidered” does not necessarily mean that the discussion is over. Be an informed and educated voter who distinguishes between rhetoric and record. TURNOUT: The higher the voter turnout, the higher the concerns of the voter are valued. Strong turnout will also result in more balanced policymaking and accountability. If we are to be a serious force, we must establish a united front. Register to vote, and do not find yourself too busy to go to the polls on election days. Your vote is only wasted if you fail to cast it. EMPOWERMENT: I recently read an article that attributed the lack of teacher involvement to “fear.” I’m not sure that fear is a major concern, but our system is one in which there is a definite “chain of command.” Your vote, however, is an earned right. If an issue is important to you — to your family, your district, your community, your peace of mind — be a participant in the process designed to help you maintain some influence over your life and livelihood. Through influence, interaction and a clear, unified voice, we become empowered to effect change. Remember, as educators, we speak not only for ourselves, but n also for our students.
March/April 2016
