Campaign Campaign

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TheThe

www.ncae.org/weheartpublicschoolswww.ncae.org/weheartpublicschools

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

politicians, and the general public about the issues teachers care most about!• 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 CampaignThe Decline to Sign Campaign• The Decline to Sign 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, over 40%

of all NC school boards, have passed resolutions opposing this policy!• Over 50% of all NC K-12 students are

served by these school districts! 3

Key Issues:Key Issues:• Raise teacher pay & per-pupil funding to the nat’l avg.• Restore pay steps for all state employees• Teaching Assistants for all K-3 classrooms• Class size limits for all K-12 classrooms• Minimize time used for test-taking & prep• Only developmentally appropriate testing• Guard against “cherry-picking” of high-scoring students

by certain charter schools• Restore master’s & doctoral pay• Restore career status and due process• Restore Teaching Fellows

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1. Maximize number of petition signatures.2. Teachers visit legislative incumbents and candidates

to invite them to town halls and legislative forums.3. Town Halls for teachers to tell their stories to the

audience with candidates and the media listening.4. Legislative forums where candidates go on record

regarding where they stand on our issues.5. Turn out voters for the May 6th election and primary.6. Mobilize teachers, parents, and students to the

legislature or local education rallies on May 14th.7. Write, call, and visit state legislators in their offices.8. Fill legislature balcony seating on Monday nights.

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Key Steps:Key Steps:

1. Click to download campaign materials.2. Share the online petition at this link.3. Call your NCAE UniServ Director or

Local Chapter NCAE President if you need extra support or information on what is going on!

4. Meet with your local legislative candidates, ask them to sign thepetition, and invite them to an upcoming Town Hall or Candidate Forum. 6

Getting StartedGetting Started

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

Committee are scheduling Town Halls & Legislative Forums near you.• We encourage retired teachers to moderate them.• Candidate Forum & Interview Questions will be

available for everyone in attendance, who are encouraged to keep these issues the focus of the evening.

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Endorsement MeetingsEndorsement 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.

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May 14May 14thth::They’re Back!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!• Public schools supporters, wearing RED and/or t-shirts will greet legislators as

they arrive in the morning and begin filling the balconies at 11am• Every Wednesday: Local activities directed at

legislators: calls, emails, post cards, office visits, etc.

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

of public education will host instructional conferences across our state to maximize the power, effectiveness, and number of people across our state who will join us in this fight for public schools. We need folks like you to help make this happen!• Visit ncae.org/weheartpublicschools, ncae.org,

or the NCAE Facebook page for information regarding training dates

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• It’s all hands on deck as we work together to GOTV (Get Out The Vote)! Local chapters of the NCAE are currently interviewing legislative candidates for endorsements. Fall is all about getting these people elected through phone banking, door-knocking, voter education, and souls to the polls!

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

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Fall ActivismFall Activism

We can’t do this without We can’t do this without you! If you aren’t a member you! If you aren’t a member already, please consider already, please consider joining the NCAE at this link:joining the NCAE at this link:

https://ims.nea.org/JoinNea

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So Let’s Get Going!So Let’s Get Going!