• The KNEA News Room
• Calendar of Events
• KNEA on the Issues
• News Archive
• Read Across America

Purposefully Bipartisan

By Blake West, President, Kansas National Education Association

Back in 2006, I remember looking forward to November election day with the hope that we’d have a respite from the political ads for a while. 

I sure was disappointed! 

The very next day an organization from outside our state began running its anti-tax, anti-public school message on Kansas television stations. 

Since then, they have continued an incessant diatribe against the best economic stimulus Kansas has – great public schools – in their desire to give big business even more tax welfare.

As we reach January 2008, presidential primaries and politics hold the spotlight almost every day on the national scene. 

As educators, we need to be able to look beneath the rhetoric and make some sense of the education proposals of the candidates.  

Our next president and vice presidential team may well provide the direction for public education in the United States for 16 years!

This is serious business for our students, our profession and the future of our nation. 

Hope for 2008

There is hope in 2008 that important changes may be on the horizon.  For example, for the first time in decades, a Republican presidential candidate responded to NEA’s repeated requests to participate in our interview and recommendation process.  Governor Mike Huckabee spoke to the 2007 NEA Representative Assembly AND completed an interview on education issues. 

At the end of the process, his responses were batting close to 50% on topics like school funding, vouchers, No Child Left Behind, etc.

This may not have been enough to earn an eventual recommendation, but NEA has taken the initiative to share this data with our members in states holding primaries, comparing his record to other Republicans.  And we continue the dialogue with his campaign. 

NEA also initiated a strategy to increase the involvement of our Republican members in political action nationally and at the local and state level. 

For instance, in the summer of 2007 Kathy Gann, member of United Teachers of Wichita, KNEA, and chair of the Western Region Republican Caucus was funded by NEA to attend the National Republican Party meeting in Minneapolis, MN. along with Republican members from across the country.   

In the fall of 2007, a new newsletter was launched for Republican members so they will be well informed about the opportunities to influence education issues and to lead the education debate within the party. 

Our beliefs about public schools and our profession, higher education funding, living wage for Educational Support Professionals, college affordability, etc. are not about R’s and D’s – they are about the future of our nation and WE intend to be heard regardless of party affiliation. 

The goal:  Bring the voice of educators to bear on the education platform of both Democratic AND Republican parties.

So what’s next? 

In Kansas, the Legislature returned to town armed with a mix of ideas (both good and bad) about school funding, teacher shortages, achievement gaps, retirement benefits, etc. 

These issues are far too profoundly important for any one of us to ignore. 

Grassroots activism is required if we are to make a difference and make public schools great for each child in Kansas.

Each one of us needs to be involved. If you have not yet subscribed to KNEA’s daily newsletter “Under the Dome” go to the KNEA Web site to sign up. 

Also, sign up to receive “Alert” messages so you can contact your legislators when quick action is needed for them to hear voices of educators. 

Finally, check with your UniServ office to find out about lobby days. KNEA coordinates joint lobbying efforts along with United School Administrators (USA) to bring educators, community members, school board members, etc. to Topeka on 34 days of the legislative session. 

If the planned lobby day for your area doesn’t work well for your schedule, contact KNEA and make plans to come on a day that works for you.

KNEA – a resource and your partner for effective advocacy

Nationally, Kansas teachers can play a role, too.

In January, KNEA provided information about how every member could attend and participate in the Kansas Presidential Caucus process in early February. 

If this reaches you before February 5th (D) and 9th (R), contact us to find out how you can be involved – information is available about both parties’ caucuses.

Delegates to the 2008 NEA Representative Assembly will travel to Washington D.C. in late June.  At that time, we will vote to decide which remaining candidate speaks with the clearest and most positive voice for public schools. 

Through proactive member involvement in BOTH parties, we may have already won major victories on party platforms long before election day in November.

The bottom line is simple.

In Kansas, we need to determine which policy-makers really DO listen (regardless of party) to the voice of educators and respond by investing in our schools, support our work with students and make Kansas strong. 

Bipartisan work is expanding nationally in an unprecedented manner in 2008, too. 

We must make sure our elected officials know we are watching and will hold them accountable for making responsible decisions about the educational future of our children.

Whether the education debate is at the local, state or national level, make sure you are more than a spectator. 

Make a difference in the policies and decisions that are made. 

Make your voice heard. 

And make KNEA your partner for effective advocacy.

KNEA News Room Archives
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
For more information about KNEA and our work, contact the KNEA Communications Department.