ISAAC
by KIM HILSENBECK
The race for District 45 state representative is heating up, at least as far as local teachers’ groups are concerned. And the rhetoric is getting harsher.
While the election is months away, local teachers associations are already building their support for, or opposition to, the candidates. John Adams, a Democrat, is challenging Republican incumbent Jason Isaac.
“We’re backed into a corner and I’m sick and tired of it,” said Brock Gregg, a lobbyist for the Association of Texas Professional Educators - the state’s largest nonpartisan teacher association.
Brock spoke to a crowd of about 110 Hays CISD teachers, school board members and guests at a recent ATPE forum at Lehman High School.
“We’re at a major turning point,” Gregg said.
Both state representative candidates, who also spoke at the forum, are on the ballot for the November election. Both happen to be from Dripping Springs. Both say they support public education.
While ATPE officially does not endorse officeholders or candidates, unlike the Hays Educators Association which has thrown its support behind Adams for District 45, the ATPE Political Action Committee does make financial contributions to candidates.
Twelve percent of teachers’ $145 annual dues are used for lobbying, but by law, it cannot be used to support candidate campaigns. According to the organization’s by-laws, that money is used for operational expenses (e.g., mailings, travel, salaries) for advocating ATPE’s philosophy and policies.
ATPE asks for separate donations from teachers for its PAC; those donations are not tax deductible.
ADAMS
How does ATPE select candidates it will give money to?
Gregg said it’s a complicated decision based on several factors, including a survey it sends to legislators, school board members and candidates for office.
In addition, Gregg said they consider voting records, stance on policy issues, and how the candidate matches with the organization’s philosophies and values based on media interviews, debates, and information on the candidate’s website.
ATPE created the website TeachTheVote.org to educate its members on the findings of the research.
One of the more contentious issues according to Gregg is whether teacher evaluations should include class test scores. Gregg says absolutely not.
He also says third party groups control the Texas legislature.
“We’re going to play hardball politics. We want to become one of those third party groups that they’re scared of,” Gregg said.
Gregg said he will ask legislators two questions:
Do they intend to do everything in their power to adequately fund public education?
Will they commit 100 percent to not change the current teacher retirement fund accounts to 401k accounts?
“If they hesitate at all, I will not vote for them,” Gregg said. “We need to elect the right people.”
Gregg insists ATPE will not tell teachers who the right people are; he says it’s up to each individual to make that decision at the voting booth.
ATPE SURVEY QUESTIONS
Here are the ATPE survey questions sent to every Texas state legislator. The group uses this and other data to compile information about candidates on its TeachThe Vote website.
Is there a need to increase funding to meet the needs of our student population, and if so, how would you recommend raising more revenue for public education?
Would you vote to spend public tax dollars on a voucher, tax credit or scholarship that allows students to attend non-public schools in grades K-12? Why or why not?
Do you believe the Teacher Retirement System should be maintained as a defined-benefit pension plan for all future, current and retired educators, or would you vote to convert it to a defined-contribution plan that is more like a 401(k)? Why or why not?
What is the appropriate use of student scores on state standardized tests (e.g., measuring individual student progress, assigning accountability ratings to campuses or districts, deciding if students should be promoted to the next grade level, evaluating teacher effectiveness, determining teacher pay or employment status, holding educator preparation programs accountable, etc.)?
Would you vote to maintain a hard cap on the number of students per class, or should school administrators be given more flexibility to increase class sizes?
Do you believe the Texas public school system currently provides a good balance between the four core subject areas (which require standardized testing) and the concept of a ‘well-rounded education’?
What role should educators and educator groups play in policy decisions made by the SBOE?
Would you recommend any changes to the process for adopting and revising the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards?
Under what circumstances should the SBOE be able to reject a textbook?
Do you believe charter schools in Texas have been largely successful and should be expanded? Why or why not?
