Original Article: https://www.npr.org/2018/08/27/641649941/3-ways-education-is-influencing-arizonas-midterms
With upcoming midterm elections in Arizona, teachers have continued to fight for change in the public education system. David Garcia, an education professor, is running in the Democratic primary for governor with hopes to better influence reform in the school system. Many more teachers are running for smaller positions in this trend of educators seeking office. In addition, a proposed rise in income taxes for those who make >$250,000 a year, called the Invest in Education Act, would benefit public schools if it succeeds. Many are also campaigning to do away with school vouchers, which give 90% of the per-pupil school funds to parents whose children don't attend public school, in effect taking resources from these schools.
Arizona teachers, like those of multiple other states, did walk-outs in April protesting their low wages and the low funding of schools. They were promised a 20% raise in salary by 2020, and they're continuing to work on making more changes. In Arizona, more school funding was cut after the recession than in any other state, and altering these income taxes that are on the low side and have only been cut since the 90s seems sensible.
When you look at these education reform campaigns led by teachers today and the American Labor Movement of the 19th century, driven by unions, there are clear parallels. Workers went on strike to protest unfair wages and their lack of benefits just like teachers did walk-outs. During the Labor Movement, unions formed, following the widening gap between rich and poor caused by industrialization. This divide is what tax raises for the rich, like the Invest in Education Act, attempt to compensate for.
All in all, these reports show progress in the making, which can be comforting in political climates like the one we are in now.
I think it’s great that teachers are finally gaining attention from officials and candidates. It shows that fighting for what you believe in and persistence, when it’s for the right thing, really works. I’m glad people are realizing the importance of this issue. -Emma Hancock
ReplyDeleteTeachers have worked so hard for a low income job for the longest time, it's very promising that change is actually happening. I hope this gets teachers who didn't really care about their job to take their job seriously when their salary is increased.
ReplyDeleteIn today's charged political climate seeing teachers finally getting the attention they deserve is promising for our future, even if much organization and work was needed for this change. Hopefully apathetic teachers will begin to care more about the ideals they teach to their students in order to ignite even more, better change down the line.
ReplyDeleteEmma Burkey:
ReplyDeleteThese walkouts and other movements for higher wages for teachers have been a long time coming. As the article explains, Arizona is one that has made a promise to increase the salary by 2020. This is realistic, but is it soon enough? Teachers have been under payed for too long, and anyone who makes the decision of higher income for the teachers must consider that they are doing one of the most important jobs in America: training the next generation.
I find it interesting how there is a need for protests in order to spark educational reform. Really, I believe that even though educational reform should always be changing as our society evolves, it should not be necessary to have to fight against low wages or the low funding of schools. I think that these should be seen as fundamental priorities, as school plays such an essential role today, helping to shape the minds of tomorrow.
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