Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/279010
AEA Advocate x Summer 2014 7 AT THE CAPITOL protected information from being given to third- party entities, such as the Alliance for School Choice. Support Arizona Public Schools Since 2008, the Arizona Legislature and Governor Jan Brewer have cut over $1 billion in education funding, while raising the expectations of our schools and teachers. Our state needs to invest in classroom priorities that we know creates better learning such as having a quality teacher in the classroom, reducing class size, and funding full-day kindergarten. "If Superintendent Huppenthal thinks our public schools are failing, then he should commit to strengthening them, not giving up on them," says Morrill. "What is failing is the level of funding and support for Arizona's public schools coming from our state's leaders." The AEA opposes the use of taxpayer funds to fund private and religious schools. AEA members believe these programs undermine public education, reduce the support needed to fund public education adequately, weaken the wall of separation between church and state, and cause racial, economic, and social segregation of students. AEA, along with a coalition of education groups, is currently involved in a lawsuit, NIEHAUS et al. v. HUPPENTHAL et al., challenging the constitutionality of Arizona's private school voucher program. The case is currently in the Arizona Supreme Court. There is a pervading myth that vouchers are the solution to the crisis in our public schools, when the truth is that vouchers do not improve student achievement, they do not reduce the cost of public education, and they offer no real educational choice for many parents. Read more facts about vouchers on page 9. Public education in America is a unique enterprise. The purpose of our public schools is not to make a profit, it is to provide a service and educate our children so they can become productive citizens. By supporting this voucher scheme, Superintendent Huppenthal has formed an alliance with those who see education as a for-profit venture and our children as a dollar amount, rather than as the future of our state. 2 Last year, thousands of AEA members participated in the signature-gathering process to protect the integrity of a citizens' right to vote. As an organization of educators, the AEA believes that voting is a sacred right. House Bill (HB) 2305, which passed during the 2013 legislative session, made it a crime for volunteers to collect and drop off ballots at the polls; removed voters from the permanent early voting list; and kept third parties off the ballot. The AEA and an unprecedented coalition of organizations came together as the Protect Your Right to Vote Committee to refer HB2305's provisions to the voters this November. In late February, the law was repealed by the Arizona Legislature and Governor Brewer, and we expect that the will of the voters will be upheld and there won't be an end run to re-pass any form of the bill this session. The AEA calls on the House and Senate Leadership to pledge they will not make a move to silence Arizona voters. With the repeal of HB2305, the Protect Your Right to Vote initiative will no longer be on the November ballot and voters' rights are restored. However, we do not completely trust legislators to not attempt an end-run on voters by trying Voters' Rights Restored for Now Continued on next page Protect Your Right to Vote initiative supporters rally at the Arizona Legislature in February. Summer.14advo.indd 7 3/14/14 2:58 PM