1. POLITICS & YOU What’s in it for me?

2. WHICH IS NOT AFFECTED BY POLITICS? Curriculum Curriculum Licensure Licensure School funding School funding Assessments Assessments Benefits, including retirement Benefits, including retirement School Facilities School Facilities Accountability Accountability Educational availability Educational availability

3. WHAT HAPPENED LAST SESSION? 18% increase in K-12 funding 18% increase in K-12 funding $500 million for Community College $500 million for Community College Health Insurance Pool Health Insurance Pool Rainy Day Fund Rainy Day Fund Initiative Reform & Modernization Act Initiative Reform & Modernization Act Elimination of Break in Service Elimination of Break in Service Use of sick leave for family illness leave Use of sick leave for family illness leave And so on…to the most progressive session in 16 years. And so on…to the most progressive session in 16 years.

4. WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE? More moderate, education supportive legislators and Governor Educators telling personal stories Found common vision among diverse groups Quality education needs quality investment (business angle) Developed partnerships

5. SHOULD WE REST? Sizemore has 45 new initiatives Sizemore has 45 new initiatives Chalkboard Project continues to bring forward legislation that could negatively impact educators Chalkboard Project continues to bring forward legislation that could negatively impact educators College funding is still woefully inadequate College funding is still woefully inadequate ESEA (NCLB) Reauthorization is coming forward ESEA (NCLB) Reauthorization is coming forward

6. HOW CAN PROGRESS CONTINUE? Support supportive legislators Support supportive legislators Personally talk to legislators and other elected officials Personally talk to legislators and other elected officials Contribute to campaigns of those who support education issues: give time and money Contribute to campaigns of those who support education issues: give time and money Funds given to PIE and PAC are distributed by members. Funds given to PIE and PAC are distributed by members.

7. WHAT CAN I DO TODAY? 1. Fill out or update your PIE contribution form. The first $50 is a credit, dollar for dollar against your taxes ($100 if married.) The first $50 is a credit, dollar for dollar against your taxes ($100 if married.) Choice of how much to give to each group. Choice of how much to give to each group. 2. Ask others to contribute.

8. 2008 ELECTION EXCITEMENT US PRESIDENT US PRESIDENT US SENATE US SENATE ORE. SECRETARY OF STATE ORE. SECRETARY OF STATE ORE. ATTORNEY GENERAL ORE. ATTORNEY GENERAL ORE. TREASURER ORE. TREASURER STATE SENATE STATE SENATE STATE HOUSE STATE HOUSE

9. OEA PIE CONVENTION March 7 and 8, 2008 Meet the Candidates Meet the Candidates At the Salem Conference Center At the Salem Conference Center Vote on Recommended Candidates Vote on Recommended Candidates Only $5 PIE contribution needed to get seated at Convention Only $5 PIE contribution needed to get seated at Convention Let your voice be heard Let your voice be heard