1

www.ncae.org/weheartpublicschools

The Campaign to Save Public Schools

Let’s Save Public Schools! • Let’s inform the media,

politicians, and the general public about our issues!

• Let’s stop the dismantling of public education!

• Let’s restore respect for the teaching profession!

• Let’s embolden more teachers to get involved and take action!

2

The Decline to Sign Campaign

• The D2S campaign alerted teachers to realities of the 25% contract.

• The goal was to raise awareness, unite teachers with a common voice, and send a message to the General Assembly through school board resolutions opposing the policy.

• As of April 7th, 48 school boards, have passed resolutions opposing this policy! 3

Key Issues: • Raise teacher pay, ensure ESP have at least a living

wage & per-pupil funding to the national average.

• Restore pay steps for all state employees

• Real funding for Teaching Assistants in all K-3 classrooms

• Class size limits for all K-12 classrooms

• Minimize time used for test-taking & prep

• Only developmentally appropriate testing

• Restore master’s & doctoral pay

• Restore career status and due process

• Restore Teaching Fellows 4

Continue to engage educators with actions for our cause; save public schools.

Visit legislative incumbents and candidates. Invite them to town halls and legislative forums. Invite your legislator to “walk a day in your shoes”.

Hold town Halls where stories are shared with candidates and the media listening.

Turn out voters for the May 6th election and primary.

5 Key Steps:

Mobilize educators, parents, and students to attend the legislature or local education rallies on May 14th.

Write, call, and visit state legislators in their offices.

Attend the General Assembly sessions on

Monday nights or participate in NCAE Educator Wednesdays in the summer.

6

Key Steps:

1. Go to ncae.org/weheartpublicschools, to download pertinent materials.

2. Call your NCAE UniServ Director or Local Chapter NCAE President if you need extra support or information on what is going on!

3. Meet with your local legislative candidates, ask them to sign the petition, and invite them to an upcoming Town Hall or Candidate Forum.

7

Getting Started

Town Halls & Forums • Your local NCAE UniServ Director or Activist

Committee is scheduling Town Halls & Legislative Forums near you.

• We encourage retired teachers to moderate them.

• Candidate Forum & Interview Questions will be available for everyone who is in attendance.

• Focus of these events is on our issues to save public schools.

8

Endorsement Meetings • The President of your local chapter should facilitate

legislative candidate endorsement interviews.

• Contact your local President to find our how you can get involved.

• Endorsement Interview Questions should be utilized during the interviews.

9

May 14th: They’re Back!

• The General Assembly begins its short and only legislative session of 2014 on May 14th.

• Teachers can ask their principal for a personal day

on May 14th (2 weeks notice is best)…. This time, it’s personal!

• Wear your RED for Public Ed or your We Love Public Schools t-shirts.

• Every Wednesday: Local activists will meet with legislators, or make calls, or send emails. 10

Summer Activism • As soon as school’s out, teachers and

supporters of public education will host instructional conferences across our state.

• Visit ncae.org/weheartpublicschools, or the

NCAE Facebook page for information regarding training dates and how you can get involved.

11

• It’s all hands on deck as we work together to GOTV (Get Out The Vote)! NCAE Locals are currently interviewing legislative candidates for endorsements.

• Fall is all about getting endorsed candidates elected through: phone banking, door-knocking, voter education, and souls to the polls!

• It’s all about engaging people and signing up new members. Share your story with some potential members today!

12

Fall Activism

We can’t do this without you! If you aren’t a member already, please consider joining the NCAE at this link: https://ims.nea.org/JoinNea

13

So Let’s Get Going!