Advocacy

Political Action

It’s a fact of life that virtually all decisions affecting public schools are decisions made in the political arena. Rather than back away from the political process, the OEA has chosen to embrace it as a means to make our schools better and to improve conditions for school employees.
We know that if the voices of public school educators are not heard in the decision making process, the voices of others — many who are not supportive of public education — will be. OEA members are encouraged to appreciate the importance of participation in the American political process. It’s the right thing to do.

The OEA Political Action Committee (OEA PACE) offers our members a meaningful opportunity to participate in the political process.

Members are encouraged to register to vote, help others to register, become educated on a wide variety of public issues, support candidates for public office, communicate frequently with public officials, and speak out on issues they deem important, particularly public education.

Everything that happens in public school classrooms across this state is affected by legislation and politics. The decisions made from the White House to the statehouse affect students, parents, education employees and, in fact, all citizens of our state. Elected officials make decisions that impact teachers on a daily basis. From funding decisions to working conditions, public policy makers make political decisions that have very real consequences in the classroom.

The Omaha Education Association, The Nebraska State Education Association, and the National Education Association gives educators a voice when lawmakers make decisions about issues that affect children and public education and has gained the reputation as an influential lobbying group which fights for more school funding and for legislation which is good for kids. Our goal is to ensure that public officials have the information they need to make public policy decisions that promote high student achievement, quality teachers and adequate funding for public education.

Get involved — Let your voice be heard!
That happens in our classrooms with the teacher’s dedication to delivering creative, informative lessons. It happens locally as we help parents and neighbors understand how they can work together to make communities stronger. It happens at the bargaining table as we bring the classroom’s voice to decisions that would otherwise be left to isolated administrators. And it happens in our capital as lawmakers set priorities and shape key education policies.