The election of 2008 was a milestone for our nation. With a groundswell of enthusiasm among youth and minorities, the American people turned out in record numbers to vote for change. The NEA helped lead the way in this historic event.

With the U.S. facing a crumbling economy and fighting two wars, Americans made history Tuesday night by electing Barack Obama. Voters also elected pro-education candidates at all levels.

As we pause to savor this moment for its historic significance, we should also consider what it means for the children of our nation.

But Election Day 2008 is finally here. If you're not among the tens of millions of people who have already voted, today's the day. If you need to find the route to your polling place, check out Vote 411. If you still need a bit more information on where the presidential candidates stand on the issues, check out our comparison. And don't forget to vote down ballot in crucial gubernatorial, Senate, and House races, as well as on any ballot initiatives in your state.

Here's your benchmark for tomorrow: In the 2004 presidential election between George W. Bush and John Kerry, 61 percent of eligible voters turnout out at the polls. But we can do better than that. Italy's average voter turnout is 93 percent and Australia rings in at 81 percent. So get out there!

It's coming to a close: An unprecedented effort by NEA to mobilize its 3.2 million members to elect friends of public education at the national, state and local levels. "Watch NEA members and their families on election night if you want to know the outcome of races across the country," says NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. "Our members are in every precinct, county, congressional district and state. Given our unique demographic makeup—women, rural and suburban members—we are the typical swing voter of the 2008 election." In addition to NEA's 3.2 million members, factor in their immediate family members and that audience that cares about public education grows to more than 5 million potential voters.

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We want to hear from state education Association officials about what they saw on the ground during the election, the role members played, GOTV efforts and anything that you want to
share about the campaign. Tell us how you helped elect friends of public education!

Unfortunately, the story of an Albuquerque, New Mexico, teacher named Juliana Sanchez is probably all too familiar to many of you. (Her story begins around the 13:20 mark in the video.) Sanchez, who teaches at a school for low-income, special needs students, is up before the sun. And "at the end of the school day her work is only half done," says Obama in narrating the video describing the pressures on teachers earning Sanchez's salary. "Most of us who are educators, we all have second jobs," says Sanchez.

John McCain wants to experiment with your school and apply “free market” principles to education. His education plan promises that with deregulation, we’ll all have more choices, and the free market will somehow solve all of our educational ills.  But just as deregulation resulted in financial turmoil on Wall Street, deregulation in our education system will force our schools to lose critical services. 

His program would take money away from your public school, and give it to private schools and organizations through vouchers. The reality, however, is that private school tuition typically exceeds the value of the vouchers, and most charter and privates schools are already filled to capacity. Your school’s funding will be further cut by McCain’s spending freeze. Experts agree that after the freeze, education will be one of the first services to lose nearly all of its funding overnight. This “free market” experiment represents a terrifying risk to our children’s futures, and through McCain’s plan:]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EducationVotes/~3/1uyqNl8Zj8w/the-real-halloween-horror-john.php http://educationvotes.nea.org/blog/barack-obama-for-president/the-real-halloween-horror-john.php Barack Obama for President John McCain School Funding School Reform Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:57:20 -0500 http://educationvotes.nea.org/blog/barack-obama-for-president/the-real-halloween-horror-john.php With just 6 days to go before election day, the campaigns GOTV (get-out-the-vote) efforts are in full swing and they can use your help! Contact the local office of a campaign you favor to see how you can help. Primary GOTV tasks include phone banking and door knocking.

Live near a swing state? Plan now to travel this weekend and knock on voters' doors in key neighborhoods!

P.S. Do You Live in Vermont? If so, it’s your last day to register to vote. Get that form to the elections office!