Archives for category: Networkfor Public Education Action Fund
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Kentucky: NPE Action Endorses a Teacher For the Legislature!

By dianeravitch
April 14, 2018 //
2

 

 

The Network for Public Education Action Fund endorses Tina Bojanowski, who is running for the Kentucky House of Representatives, District 32.

Instead of complaining about the legislature, she is running for a seat.

She has no primary challenger, but needs your help in the general election in November.

The Network for Public Education Action has endorsed special education teacher Tina Bojanowski for the District 32 seat in Kentucky’s House of Representatives. Since 2010, Tina has been a special education teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools. She recently completed a Ph.D. in education and social change, and wants to use her knowledge and experience to ensure a high quality public education for all children.

Tina considered becoming a research professor, but realized that legislators seldomly read academic literature when making policy decisions. She decided to run for the legislature instead because having a voice on the floor and a vote will have more direct impact. She told NPE Action that her intention is to “bring the voice of a special education teacher to the floor of the state capitol to speak for public education.”

Tina’s positions on public education are in line with NPE Action. She is against high-stakes standardized testing as a way to evaluate teachers or measure student achievement. She supports sufficiently funding schools. She wants to ensure that education is a desirable profession both financially (living wages, pensions, and benefits) and professionally (treating educators as professionals).

She is strongly against the use of vouchers and tax credits to fund private or parochial schools with public funds. She also supports legislation that would repeal the 2017 charter school law passed in Kentucky. Until the law is repealed, Tina said she “would require charter schools (and the companies that manage the charter schools) to be completely transparent regarding the spending of public money.” She is also against virtual and/or online charter schools.

Tina understands that when privatization schemes like charter and vouchers divert funds away from public education, it is the most vulnerable students that are the most severely impacted.

Tina does not have a challenger in the primary election, but needs your support for the general election on November 6, 2018. Please do everything you can to help Tina bring her knowledge and experience to Frankfort to ensure a high quality public education for all children.

Categories Education Reform, Kentucky, Networkfor Public Education Action Fund, Supporting public schools

The Network for Public Education Action Fund Endorses Tony Thurmond For California State Superintendent

By dianeravitch
April 11, 2018 //
9

 

 

The Network for Public Education Action Fund is pleased to endorse Tony Thurmond for the post of State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of California. As an organization, we are committed to the improvement and preservation of public education. We oppose privatization in all ite forms, including charters, cybercharters, and vouchers. Thus, Tony Thurmond was the right choice for us, in light of his record.

“The Network for Public Education Action is proud to endorse East Bay Assemblyman, Tony Thurmond, for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Assemblyman Thurmond has been a member of the State Assembly since 2014. He serves on the Assembly Committee on Education, and has made education policy his top priority. Before serving in the legislature, he was on the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board for four years.

“Thurmond is passionate about improving public schools. His public school education prepared him for a 20-year career in social work, where he ran after-school programs and taught life skills and career training. Those years of experience provided him with a unique perspective into the lives of California’s youth.

“Thurmond told us that he will “ensure that every California student gets the education they need to realize their potential,” adding that “California is the 6th largest economy in the world, yet ranks 46th in per pupil spending in the United States. We cannot continue to underfund California’s public education.”

“He understands that class size has proven to be one of the most important factors in a child’s learning. Thurmond said that he will “support legislation, policy changes, funding to reduce class sizes.”

“Charter school issues are sure to be a central focus of the election. Thurmond’s opponent, Marshall Tuck, is a former charter school executive and CEO. In 2014, Tuck ran an unsuccessful campaign for State Superintendent, losing to incumbent Tom Torlakson. Tuck was heavily funded by outside money from national charter advocates, including Michael Bloomberg, Eli Broad, the Waltons, Laurene Powell Jobs, Arthur Rock and John Arnold. Thurmond stated that, “California’s voters don’t want this election to be bought by the Walton family, Eli Broad, and other billionaires who want to privatize public education.”

“Thurmond has made his position clear on charters. He has co-authored and voted for laws to increase accountability for charter schools and to ban for-profit charter schools. He believes that “charter schools must be measured through the same lens as public schools, follow the same guidelines, and be held publicly accountable.” He also believes that “charter schools should be authorized by local districts. Local districts host the charter and provide the services that the students and the charter will need – they are much better suited for this than the county or state.”

“Thurmond has vowed to “lead the resistance against Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos and their agenda to undermine and defund our public education system,” promising that he will not support policies that seek to divert taxpayer dollars from public education to private schools.

“Thurmond has already received numerous endorsements, including the endorsement of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson. Thurmond will be on the general election ballot on November 6th. NPE Action urges our over 21,000 supporters in California to educate and inform your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues about Thurmond’s campaign and the importance of this election for the future of public education in California.”

 

Categories California, Education Reform, Networkfor Public Education Action Fund

Indiana: NPE Action Fund Endorses Kyle Miller for State Representative

By dianeravitch
March 16, 2018 //
3

The Network for Public Education Action Fund endorses Kyle Miller for State Representative, District 81, in Indiana. 

In the District 81 race for Indiana State Representative, the Network for Public Education Action has endorsed Kyle Miller. Kyle’s number one priority is “fully funding public education and making sure that we return the joy to the teaching profession.”

He said, “We spend so much time trying to figure out different ways to spend public money on education that if we focused all that energy and money on public education, we could have a top notch public education system.”

He highlighted the state’s overgrown voucher system as the single greatest threat facing Indiana’s public schools, and believes that private voucher schools should be held accountable for the tax dollars they spend. He supports a moratorium on charter schools for the same reason, stating “we have allowed these charters to run wild with no accountability.”

Kyle also told us that Indiana teachers are overworked, underpaid and severely underappreciated, which has led to a teacher shortage, and he wants to change that. He affirmed that, if elected, he will “work tirelessly for teachers and public education.”

Please do what you can to support Kyle in his primary election on Tuesday, May 8, 2018.

Categories Indiana, Networkfor Public Education Action Fund

North Carolina: NPE Action Fund Endorses Wiley Nickel for State Senate

By dianeravitch
March 15, 2018 //
3

 

The Network for Public Education Action Fund endorses Wiley Nickel for State Senate in North Carolina, District 16. 

Wiley is a strong supporter of teachers and public schools.

The Network for Public Education has endorsed attorney Wiley Nickel for the District 16 seat in the North Carolina Senate. Wiley told us that he would “fight every day to fully fund the public school system, to raise teacher salaries to above the national average.”

He said he would support legislation to reduce class sizes, and also to pay for it. He sees the “class size chaos” that was created by the North Carolina legislature when they mandated reduced class sizes without providing additional funding for additional teachers.

Wiley also doesn’t agree that teacher pay should be capped the way it’s done in North Carolina, where the most senior teachers can never get a raise based on their seniority.

Wiley has taken a strong stand on both charter schools and vouchers, telling NPE Action that he opposes both. He supports a moratorium on charter schools, and “empowering local school boards with the ability to create charters and keep them under their governance.”

When is comes to vouchers, he called for “phasing out school vouchers for private schools, and ensuring that existing private schools receiving public voucher funds meet the same accountability and performance standards as public schools.” He also opposes tax credits and 529 accounts for K-12 private schools.

Please spread the word about Wiley’s May 8, 2018 primary election and help get people out to the polls to vote for a strong supporter of North Carolina’s teachers and public schools.

Categories Networkfor Public Education Action Fund, North Carolina

Network for Public Education Action Fund Endorses Denise Cole for Newark Board of Education

By dianeravitch
March 13, 2018 //
0

 

The NPE Action Fund endorses Denise Cole for election to the Newark, New Jersey, Board of Education.

The vote is April 17.

“Denise Cole has received the endorsement of the Network for Public Education Action for a seat on the Newark, New Jersey Board of Education.

“Denise is a dedicated public education advocate, with a strong history of working with national, state and local organizations like Journey for Justice, The Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, PULSE (Parents United for Local School Education), Parents Educating Parents, and Communities United. Her years as an advocate will help her amplify the voice of the voters and community so that they can collectively take part in decisions that will directly impact their lives.

“She supports the NAACP’s Resolution on a Moratorium on Charter Schools, and believes that “charter schools should be required to be totally transparent with the public on the spending of taxpayer money.” With almost $250 million dollars diverted to charter schools from the Newark Public School budget, such transparency is crucial.

“Denise told us that taxpayer dollars should go “directly into the classroom for teacher and student success,” and that this is best achieved “by incorporating wraparound services that are sustainable.” Denise invites parents to work to support changes in the traditional public schools that they seek in charter and private schools. She said, “We must become the change we want for our children and community.”

“We ask you to support Denise Cole’s candidacy for the Newark Board of Education on April 17th.”

Categories Networkfor Public Education Action Fund, Newark, Supporting public schools

Kentucky: Network for Public Education. action Endorses Gay Adelmann for State Senate!

By dianeravitch
March 11, 2018 //
0

 

The Network for Public Education Action Fund enthusiastically endorses Gay Adelmann for State Senate in District 36 in Kentucky. 

Gay is an activist for public schools and against privatization and looting of the public domain.

“She is the co-founder/president of Dear JCPS, a stakeholder advocacy group in Jefferson County, and the co-founder/president of Save Our Schools KY, a statewide public education advocacy group. Her body of work as an advocate should be all the evidence voters need to believe her campaign promise to “fight to end corruption and protect public schools, healthcare, pensions, and workers’ rights.”

“The citizens of Kentucky are becoming highly aware of the threats to public education, posed by charter schools and voucher legislation, and Gay has been at the forefront of that awakening. She understands that basing a teacher’s evaluation on test scores “leads to high turnover, gaming of the system and demoralizing of some of our hardest working teachers who are truly called to serve.”

“She told us that “the idea that the money should follow the child is one of the greatest fallacies of this entire movement. As a taxpayer, I do not want my tax dollars to be used to pay for a child’s charter school or private school education. I want them to remain in my community schools for the schools to determine the best ways to utilize those funds to serve all students in our community.”

“Gay is also keenly aware that Kentucky is facing a budget and pension crisis, and that the Governor is looking to solve that crisis “on the backs of teachers and students.”

“No one is better prepared to tackle the current threats to public education in Kentucky than Gay. Please do everything you can to support her in the primary election on May 22nd.”

Categories Kentucky, Networkfor Public Education Action Fund

California: The Network for Public Education Action Fund Endorses John Chiang for Governor

By dianeravitch
March 10, 2018 //
40

 

California is holding a gubernatorial election this year. Three candidates lead the field. Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles and a strong supporter of privatizing public schools; Gavin Newsom, former mayor of San Francisco and noncommittal on privatization; and John Chiang, State Treasurer and advocate of charter accountability, is a strong supporter of public schools.

If no candidate wins a majority, the two top candidates will face one another in a runoff.

The Network for Public Education Action Fund enthusiastically endorses John Chiang for Governor.

When John Chiang responded to our survey, he emphasized his support for good public schools for all students.

When we asked John what he would do if elected, he said the following:

“I plan to restore academic success by increasing per-pupil funding, reducing class sizes, and moving towards providing free tuition for two years of community college. We also need to address underlying factors that have put stress on our education system– – an unfair economy that has left the middle class behind; the inability of students and families to afford textbooks, supplies, food and housing; threats in Washington to public education, affordable health care, financial aid, and more. We need to do everything possible to look holistically at ways to improve our education system so every student has an opportunity to achieve their dreams.”

John is concerned about the effects of high-stakes testing on students. He told us, “We’ve seen what damage “high-stakes” testing can do to our students, teachers and schools, especially in unfairly labeling students of color, students with disabilities and English language learners as failing. ‘Teaching to the test’ often forces good instructional practices to be thrown out for a soulless stream of worksheets based on boring, repetitive test prep materials. That’s not what we want for our kids. We need to use tests more sensibly, move beyond test-based accountability measures, and provide teachers with the training and support they need to help our students achieve.”

John is a strong proponent of charter accountability and transparency. He believes that charter schools must be responsible to locally elected school boards, subject to public audits and the Brown Act, and be held to state conflict of interest standards.

He is also clear in his opposition to vouchers. “We cannot rob our public schools to line the pockets of private school owners. I oppose the use of vouchers and tax credits for private and parochial schools. We need to continue to invest in our public schools and focus on supporting certified teachers and students as they strive to instill and learn the skills needed for a successful 21st century education.”

For all of the above positions and more, we believe that John is the strongest friend of public education remaining in the California Governor’s race. We strongly urge Californians to vote for John Chiang in the June 5th primary. Voter registration ends May 21 and mail in ballots must must arrive by May 29, 2018.

 

Categories California, Networkfor Public Education Action Fund, Supporting public schools

North Carolina: NPE Action Endorses Educator Challenging Most Powerful Politician

By dianeravitch
February 26, 2018 //
7

 

Jennifer Mangrum is one courageous woman. She is challenging Phil Berger, the far-right leader of the North Carolina State Senate. Berger has harassed teachers and passed laws to authorize charters, for-profit charters, online charters and vouchers. It is not an overstatement to say that Senator Phil Berger hates public schools and their teachers.

The Network for Public Education Action Fund has endorsed Mangrum. Mangrum has 12 years of experience as a classroom teacher. She is currently a professor of education at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.

If every public school parent and every graduate of a public school voted for Mangrum, she would oust the worst legislator in the state.

VOTE!!!

VOTE FOR JENNIFER MANGRUM!

Categories Charter Schools, Corporate Reformers, Education Industry, For-Profit, Networkfor Public Education Action Fund, North Carolina, Privatization

NPE Action Fund Endorses Ellen Lipton For Congress in Michigan!

By dianeravitch
February 20, 2018 //
0

 

NPE Action Fund is the political action arm of the Network for Public Education.

After careful deliberation, NPE Action has endorsed Ellen Lipton for Congress in Michigan. 

As a state representative, Ellen was a steadfast ally of public schools, even when surrounded by politicians who stood in line for DeVos money.

Ellen led the fight against the undemocratic and ineffective Education Achievement Authority, which used children in Detroit as guinea pigs for experiments with technology. Due in large part to her demands for transparency, the EAA finally collapsed.

Ellen will be a champion for public education in Congress. She will be one of the few in that body who fought the DeVos machine and won. We happily endorse her candidacy.

If you live in Michigan, please volunteer to help her. If you don’t live in Michigan, you can he,p with a donation to her campaign.

You can donate to Ellen’s campaign here.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/elforcongressweb?refcode=website

 

 

Categories Betsy DeVos, Michigan, Networkfor Public Education Action Fund

Coalition Supporting “A Day of Action Against Gun Violence” Grows!

By dianeravitch
February 20, 2018 //
7

 

On April 20, education organizations are joining forces to protest gun violence and demand action from state and federal legislatures. We call it a Day of Action Against Gun Violence.

The Network for Public Education, the NEA, and the AFT are coordinating mass actions in every school district across the nation. Our goal is to ignite political action to stop gun violence.

We invite communities to choose their own strategies to raise consciousness and the will to keep fighting for change. We have suggested actions such as strikes, walk outs, sit-ins, teach-ins, a march to your legislators’ offices, candlelight vigils, arms of parents and teachers clasped around the school. Do what is best for your communities. Work with parents, educators, and students. We assume that thousands of parents, students, and teachers can devise more creative and ingenious ways to demonstrate and protest against gun violence than the organizational leaders can. We invite you to crowdsource your actions and share them with us.

Every student deserves the right to learn in a safe school, without fear of gun violence.

The following organizations have just joined our Day of Action:

Defending the Early Years

The California Teachers Association

Public Schools First, North Carolina

There will be many more.

We expect to have orange armbands on our website soon. Orange is the color signifying support for gun control.

Categories Guns, Guns in Schools, Network for Public Education, Networkfor Public Education Action Fund, Safety
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