Our legislators need to know how we stand on such issues as vouchers, social security, school funding, school report cards, etc. We cannot rely only on our state officers to do this for us. Each of us needs to take the time to contact our representatives.
The AFT has contracted with capweb.net to provide an easy way to fax, e-mail or print a personalized letter to your state and federal representatives. You can access the site at (http://www.aft.org//contactcongress/). There are still some growing pains at the web site and not all representatives are connected to a zip code. The site also lists the voting record of representatives on issues of importance to AFT members.
The election laws do not allow our Union to use your dues for political action. The voluntary COPE fund is the only means by which our Union can contribute to election campaigns. You will soon be asked to begin or increase your contribution to this essential fund.
3. Professional Issues
Never before has the need for a solid, member focused professional issues program been as great as it is now because of the ever-changing climate surrounding education reform. We must be equipped to support positive reform and poised to defeat the kinds of reform that are aimed at destroying and dismantling the public school system. The Union must be an informed source for our members. At the local level, our involvement in TAP (Teacher Administration Partnership) and building Staff Development Committees allow us to directly control our own professional development.
The AFT provides many professional resources both in print and at the national web site (http://www.aft.org).
A 1998 study - Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools, (http://www.air-dc.org/cecp/guide/) provides a reasoned response to concerns raised by the recent school shootings in Colorado. The study offers research-based practices designed to assist school communities to identify these warning signs early and develop prevention, intervention and crisis response plans.. There is also set of tips specifically for parents (http://www.air-dc.org/cecp/guide/files/tips_for_parents.htm).
Raising Student Achievement, An Internet Resource Guide for Redefining Low-Performing Schools (http://www.aft.org/edissues/rsa/guide/) provides information and advice to union leaders and members about how to fix one of this nation's most persistent problems: school that don't work. Find out how AFT members can--and have--become involved in successful efforts to redesign low-performing schools.
The AFT and four other national education associations, representing both teachers and administrators, have co-sponsored An Educators' Guide to Schoolwide Reform (http://www.aasa.org/Reform), a consumer-friendly analysis of 24 widely used programs designed to improve student achievement in low-performing schools.
Reaching the Next Step: How School To Career Can Help Students Reach High Academic Standards And Prepare For Good Jobs (http://www.aft.org/nextstep/) makes seven recommendations and provides many supporting resources (http://www.aft.org/edissues/schooltocareer/resrcs.htm).
Peer Assistance and Peer Review: An AFT/NEA Handbook (http://www.aft.org/edissues/papr/parhndbk.pdf - needs Adobe Acrobat reader) is designed to assist affiliates interested in developing peer assistance and/or peer assistance and review programs in their local sites. The first section provides the context in which these programs are developing and their importance to union efforts to increase teacher quality. The next section presents materials regarding how best to communicate.
School Vouchers, the Emerging Track Record (http://www.aft.org//pr/schlvchr.htm) provides an overview of independent evaluations of existing voucher programs, as well as other published reports.
The latest report on state education standards, Making Standards Matter, has just been published and is available at (http://www.aft.org/edissues/standards/).
Setting The Stage For High Standards - Elements of Effective School Discipline (http://www.aft.org/edissues/elements/) discusses the system of high standards of conduct that would help ensure that all students enjoy a safe and orderly learning environment.
Your Union is responding to your professional needs. Let us know how we our doing.