Educators Need to be Involved in Politics~~Teachers and education staff professionals, especially upon first joining FEA and their local association, frequently ask,“why are we so active in politics? In what way does politics affect us generally and me personally in the work we do?”
The answer, in just a few words is “in just about every way you can imagine.”
Politics affects school salaries, classroom sizes, the availability of textbooks and equipment, school safety and nutrition, the freedom to teach, the attitude of the public towards our public schools and school personnel, the quality of the learning environment and a lot more. Politics is woven inseparably and intrinsically into every aspect of public education.
As an organization, FEA participates in the political process at all levels with the goal of re-establishing confidence in public education among the citizens of Florida, building great opportunities for economic security for all educational personnel, and ensuring a quality public education system.
Part of our process is identifying, selecting for recommendation and supporting those candidates who share the Associations/Union’s commitment to children and public education. FEA measures candidates, regardless of political party affiliation, on the following issues:
- Strengthening public education at all levels in Florida
- Protecting children’s health and safety
- Preparing students for jobs of the future through public education
- Building and maintaining a quality workforce for Florida
In addition to screening and recommending candidates favorable to education, FEA encourages members to register, vote and participate in political activities.
Get involved! Be a part of the Process!
Floridians will go to the polls in this November to elect Statewide officials who can have a profound influence on the education policy and education employees in our state. In addition to the Governor who sets much of the state’s education policy, Florida’s Attorney General and chief Financial Officer are the trustees of the state retired system.
You can make the difference on the Federal, State, County and Local levels.
If you don’t believe that you need to get involved, then please take a moment to answer the question below:
Who makes the following decisions for YOU?
- Where does the money come from for my salary? Who pays for my medical coverage? Who determines my social security coverage? Or my age for retirement and what my benefits will be?
- Will I receive tenure and what is the process to obtain tenure? Who will make sure that my right to due process is protected?
- Do I need to worry about privatization? Who will protect my job from privatization?
- How are school bus safety programs funded? Why isn’t there an aide on the bus? Who sets the safety standards? How often is the equipment updated? How is this funded?
- Who determines the staffing for school cafeterias and custodial needs? Who decides what foods are on placed on the school lunch menu?
- How is Class size funded? Who makes this decision? Who is working to protect Class size?
- How are Certification Standards established? Does the state or my district provide adequate in-service training? Is there a cost?
- Who sets the length of the school year and determines start dates?
- Why hasn’t my school updated the textbooks? Why aren’t there enough textbooks for all of my students in my classroom?
- Who sets the standards for conduct and discipline policies in the state and my district?
- Who determines how assistance for special needs students will be administered? What about funding for per student allocations?
- What about unemployment coverage?