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"The paradox of education is precisely this - that as one begins to become conscious, one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated."
– James Baldwin
– James Baldwin
Education Funding: Where’s the Money?
Keeping School Safe
The Pressure is On
A Better Way Forward on Discipline
Chronic Absenteeism
Getting in Front of ESSA
Supporting Undocumented Students
Seeing Past the Hype of New Technologies
Pushing Back Against Privatization
Electing Better Lawmakers
Public education is in DANGER. Every student in Florida deserves to be in a classroom with a certified, highly-qualified, and dedicated teacher. Students deserve schools with full-time media specialists and schools that are staffed with more counselors and nurses than security guards. Florida’s students deserve the very best. Currently, Florida’s politicians are failing Florida’s future.
Over the past two decades the Legislature and governors have shortchanged Florida’s students.
Despite having a $1 trillion state economy – the 17th largest economy in the world – Florida is 43rd in the nation when it comes to total public education funding and 46th in average teacher salary.
Because of this low pay and bad policies, Florida is facing an unprecedented teacher shortage – meaning all students don’t have access to the certified, professional educators they deserve and their parents expect.
Show your commitment to education equity!
Recent FEA Rallies/Demonstrations
Jan 13th, 2020 | Rally in Tally
Feb 15th, 2020 | Central Florida Rally
The Not So Fun Facts of FL's Education System
Florida is 43rd in the nation in per-student spending.*
Florida is 46th in the nation in teacher pay — more than $12,000 below the national average.*
Florida has nearly 50,000 education staff professionals who earn a wage below the national poverty level for a family of four.*
Florida spends less on public education today than before the Great Recession — in inflation-adjusted dollars, nearly $1,000 less per student.
Florida faces a massive shortage of teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals and others.
Because of these shortages, thousands of classrooms lack teachers and paraprofessionals, and many districts are struggling to get kids to school safely and on time.
* Source: National Education Association, 2018
A Decade of Progress FEA
After decades of bad policy and neglect, it is time for a “Decade of Progress” for Florida’s students and our neighborhood public schools. As our Fund Our Future campaign continues, we are asking lawmakers to invest $22 billion in public education over the next 10 years.
WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR:
Over the next decade, Florida will be in the TOP 10 in the nation in
per-student funding.Over the next decade, Florida will be in the TOP 10 in the nation in
teacher pay.Over the next decade, Florida will be in the TOP 10 in the nation in
pay for education staff professionals.
To begin the “Decade of Progress,” lawmakers must make a serious down payment of $2.4 billion in 2020.
An investment of $2.4 billion equals a 10 percent increase in per-student funding. While that sounds like a lot, it will move Florida up only four spots in the national rankings.
This investment would increase per-student funding by $767, of which at least $614 must go to the base student allocation (BSA), the flexible money under local control.
This investment would allow districts to restore cuts to music, art, physical education, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers and others.
This investment would allow for districts to better address struggling schools that have suffered under decades of underfunding.
This investment would allow pay increases of 10 percent for every public school employee — teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, office staff, cafeteria workers, etc.
Tallahassee Information + FAQS for Rallies Attended by SNEA
What: A march on Tallahassee to support funding for public education in Florida; organized by the Florida teacher's union. 50,000 people are converging on Tallahassee to advocate for our profession.
Who: Parents, students, aspiring educators, teachers – anyone who supports public education.
Where: The march started at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center at 1:30 PM and finished on the steps of Florida's Old Capitol, facing Apalachee Parkway.
IMPORTANT: from UCF, the drive is approximately 4 hours. We were bused by OCPS!
When: The event took place Monday, January 13, 2020 at 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Why: Florida is a no strike state. To show legislators that teachers and students desperately need them to care about public education needs, a peaceful march was organized in protest of Florida's poor education policy choices.
January 13th Speakers:
Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers;
Fedrick Ingram, president of FEA
Jesse Sharkey, president of the Chicago Teachers Union
Michael Mulgrew, president of New York City’s United Federation of Teachers
Addison Davis, superintendent of Clay County Public Schools
Johanna Lopez, a teacher and member of the Orange County School Board
Jairus Williams, Florida A&M University student and president of Student FEA
Adela Ghadimi, a graduate student at Florida State University and president of the university’s Graduate Assistant Union
Rev. James T. Golden of Pastors for Florida Children
FAQs for Rallys
Q: I don't have a ride.
A: SNEA officers are always available to drive.
Q: I can't attend the protest but I still want to do something to support it.
A: Not to worry, there are TONS of ways to show your support if you can't attend.
1) Make a sign and post on social media using the #FundOurFutureFl #RedForEd #AspiringEdLife #4EveryStudent hashtags!
Q: Will I get in trouble for attending any rallies?
A: Florida is a NO STRIKE state, which means teachers have to find peaceful, 'non disruptive' ways to have their desperate cry for support heard at our state capital. This demonstrations are completely legal, peaceful, and organized. Law makers is aware of these events as FEA has been traveling the state on the FEA Bus Tour in support of education.
Q: I'm not very involved in politics... and I'm a bit on the fence about this being worth it.
A: It's completely up to you! Organized efforts are SUPER important, and also great opportunities for networking. Despite the fact Florida has a teacher shortage – and can't really afford to turn prospective teachers down right now – interviews can be difficult when your resume doesn't shine with dedication to your career and your future students.
If you decide to join us – or show your support with a sign or letter – here are some of the possible gains:
Networking with teachers all across Florida
Strengthening your political advocacy
Showing your dedication to your field/students
Fighting for a cause you find important
Bonding with other aspiring educators
Getting your name out there!
SNEA MEMBERS EARN 10 POINTS PER SIGN THEY MAKE, 10 PER LETTER THEY WRITE, AND 25 IF THEY ATTEND ANY MARCH (maximum of 50 points)
Couldn't join us at a rally but still want to show your support? Write a letter to your Legislator!
Yes, seriously, writing a letter to your Legislator ACTUALLY WORKS. The one thing policy makers fear is losing the support of their constituents.
SAMPLE POST CARD 1
Dear (name of Legislator),
Supporting public schools is important to me. Please commit to increasing the base student allocation in a way that will change the face of public education for generations. Florida shouldn’t be last in the nation when it comes to education.
Sincerely,
(Your name and city)
SAMPLE POST CARD 2
Dear (name of Legislator),
Florida has the 4th largest GDP in the nation, and yet we are failing to adequately fund public schools. If our economy is doing so well, shouldn’t we invest in our children? Please Fund our Future.
Sincerely,
(Your name and city)
Some Suggested Talking Points for a Letter
· Talk about your school, and what your school and students need
· Talk about how students are suffering because of lack of teachers/ESPs
· Talk about how VAM scores/test scores have affected your schools
· Talk about your 2nd job
· Talk about how ALL educators deserve a boost in pay and morale, not just brand-new recruits
· Talk about wanting to be treated like a professional
ASPIRING EDUCATORS:
· Discuss the lack of 1) numbers 2) enthusiasm/motivation in future educators in college classes
· Talk about your internships, test scores, your worries for your future in education
· Talk about your financial issues, student debt, and the teachers who tell you to "never become a teacher"
· Talk about your fear of not being prepared or supported during your first year, not meeting bills, not being able to give your students what they deserve
· Talk about 21st century problems and how you feel you will struggle to meet ALL the needs of your students
· END WITH asking them to support the FEA’s Fund Our Future Decade of Progress campaign. Tell them “we are counting on YOU to do what it takes to demonstrate meaningful commitment to Florida’s children- a commitment that is long lasting- not just enough to get us through to the next election.”
Thank you for helping us keep public education at the TOP of their list this legislative session!
