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Race to the Top Resources
Race to the Top is a competitive grant program to encourage and reward states that are implementing significant reforms in the four education areas described in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Check out AEA's Race to the Top Resource page.
Earthquake Relief in Haiti
We invite you to financially support the EI Solidarity Fund for Haiti; directing the funds to the recovery efforts of teachers there. Checks can be made out to the National Education Association; which will be forwarded directly to EI for humanitarian assistance to CNEH. These can be sent to:
Haiti Earthquake Recovery
National Education Association
1201 16th Street NW, Suite 614
Washington DC 20036
Cash donations are the most efficient and effective way to help the relief effort in Haiti right now. They allow humanitarian organizations to purchase (often within the affected region itself) the exact type and quantity of items needed by those affected by the crisis. We thank you, in advance, for your generosity.
Education Coalition Press Conference
On January 12, a group of education advocates - The Education Coalition-Arizona Learning First Alliance - assembled on the state capitol lawn following Governor Brewer's State of the State Address. The event was to demonstrate unity among the state's leading education organizations and their interest in protecting funding for public education.
The coalition's chairperson and Associate Director for the Arizona K-12 Center, Penny Kotterman, said, "The organizations that form this statewide alliance have varying interests and agendas, but for nearly 20 years The Education Coalition has worked collaboratively to address public education issues in our state, all with advocacy and support for students and public education as our mission.
"Too often these days we hear from our legislative and state leaders about all the things Arizona can't do. This coalition is living proof that, when leaders come together through finding their commonalities, there is far more that we CAN do."
The Education Coalition unveiled plans to launch a statewide project to engage educators, parents, and voters in a conversation about Arizona’s current fiscal crisis and how it connects to public education. According to coalition leaders, the forums will include a 30-minute video which profiles state and national leaders from several influential communities including business and education.
Kotterman explained, "Millions of Arizonans are watching the state legislature and wondering how they will solve the state's greatest fiscal crisis in its history. The Education Coalition and its members believe that there is a better way to help our state recover from this massive deficit than making cuts to vital services like public education. Our forum will give participants an honest picture of where Arizona is today and where it CAN be with an adequate investment in public schools."
The group plans to host a half dozen or more community forums throughout the state. Hosted by school board members, administrators, teachers, and parents, the forums aim to encourage dialogue and problem-solving conversations.
"Today we call on Arizonans from all corners of the state and all walks of life to decide what they CAN do and to help determine what our elected leaders CAN do. We are challenging Arizonans across the state to attend these events and let us know how they think the legislature CAN best support our schools," Kotterman said as she closed her remarks.
In Loving Memory of Debbie Rusiski
The Arizona Education Association mourns the loss of one of its own, Debbie Rusiski, who died on December 16, 2009. Debbie was an Organizational Consultant in the AEA Northern Office and committed herself wholeheartedly to the promise of quality public education for every child in Arizona. Read more.
AEA Filed Special Action Petition with AZ Supreme Court
On November 23, 2009 the Arizona Education Association filed a special action petition with the Arizona Supreme Court against Governor Jan Brewer and the 49th State Legislature targeting policy changes made in the 3rd special session of the Arizona State Legislature aimed at teachers and other school employees. The policy changes allow arbitrary reductions in salary, prohibit seniority as a criterion for reduction in force, eliminate deadlines for issuing contracts, and limit employee rights to engage in professional association activities.
John Wright, president of the Arizona Education Association, said, "These policies represent a complete abandonment of legislative leadership. The special session was called to address Arizona's budget deficit; instead, the legislature mysteriously determined that removing contract security and allowing salary reductions for career educators was a more appropriate focus. The interests of Arizona's families, students, and economy were completely ignored." Read entire story and comment.
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