COPE
The Purpose of The Committee on Political Education
Should teachers get involved with politics? To be honest, up until a few years ago, we never really thought so. Then the Federation was thrust into the voucher campaign, the bilingual education campaign and a series of PUSD School Board elections. And now every day we are more convinced that teachers should come together to combat the attack on public education.
Do you really think, as we once did, that there is no relationship between teaching and politics? That, somehow, all this political folderol about tenure, due process, civil litigation against teachers, teacher dismissal, per pupil spending, assessments, and school bond issues really won't affect you if you simply retreat into your classroom, shut the door and just teach?
No - these issues are real. We shouldn't let our naiveté about politics get in the way of our common sense. And your common sense should you that our profession is under attack.
What can you do? Reaffirm your own belief in public education, one of the most basic precepts of our nation. Make sure you are a COPE member and contribute $3 per month to our Committee on Political Education. Then, when you're asked if you're a Democrat or a Republican, you can answer, "I am a teacher and my political affiliation is Education."
Become Politically Active - Help COPE to Speak Out for You!