Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/477223
4 Spring 2015 | AEA Advocate AEA Is the Voice of Parental Choice As the voice of quality public education in Arizona, AEA aligns its values, mission, and work with the clear choice of parents as they consider where and how to educate their children. In this choice-laden state, K-12 neighborhood, public schools are the overwhelming first choice. That choice is as essential to American ideals as any upon which our country was founded. It is a public system of local, neighborhood schools wherein each is owned and supported by—and accountable to—the public. Through a locally elected governing board, taxpayers have a say in how their money is spent, and parents have a say in how their children are taught. The public is the beginning and end of the entire system. Across Arizona more than 80 percent of parents choose to send their children to their neighborhood public schools—not a private school or charter school governed by its own appointed board and operated by corporate management companies. Overwhelmingly, parents choose schools within a system that ensures that teachers are certificated and have met standard qualifications, that requires principals who lead our schools to have a strong education background, and requires that superintendents are experts in education and are beholden to the elected school board. This is America's choice; so why isn't it the choice of our elected public officials? This choice aligns with AEA's core value of fairness, equity, and respect for all. Budget priorities are a document about values and the values coming from our state's leaders do not reflect the values and choices of Arizona's citizens. It is unfortunate that so many elected officials run on a platform of choice, but their actions once they are in office do not support the choice of the majority. Instead Arizona's leaders have turned away from our children, parents, voters, and court orders in order to support a very different choice – one that is powered by profit from the corporate takeover of our public schools. AEA has always advocated on behalf of our students, whether for funding or for protecting the respect and rights of public school employees. Read about the governor's budget on page 6 and share with friends and family; then find your elected officials on page 8 – 9. Contact them and ask them to support our public schools and make students the priority. Our members and staff support the choice that Arizona parents have made for their children, and we must hold those we elect accountable to the choice of Arizona. n The AEA Advocate is published by the Arizona Education Association, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1532. Phone: 602-264-1774 or 800-352-5411 Fax: 602-240-6887 Email: sheenae.shannon@arizonaea.org. AEA's website may be found at www.arizonaea.org. Permission to reprint any material originating with this publication is granted provided that credit is given to the AEA Advocate. The AEA Advocate (ISSN 0194-8849) is published in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer for $3.50 per year by the Arizona Education Association, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1532. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, Arizona. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the AEA Advocate, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1532. POINT OF VIEW by Andrew F. Morrill AEA OFFICERS Andrew F. Morrill President Joe Thomas Vice-President Nidia Lias Treasurer AEA STAFF Mark Simons Executive Director Sheenae Shannon Editor Roxanne Rash Graphic Design Advertising Nancy Hall Editorial Associate Andrew F. Morrill, President Arizona Education Association