AFT - American Federation of Teachers

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Voices Questions

Click on a question below to read comments from AFT members and share your opinion on that topic.

May 02 2012

We want to hear your story of what doubling the interest rate on student loans would mean for you or your family, or for the people you educate and serve.

 3comments
Apr 27 2012 The labor movement will remember millions of working people who have been hurt or killed on the job April 28, Workers’ Memorial Day. Tell us about health and safety issues at your workplace. 0
Mar 08 2012 If you could ask the Republican presidential candidates one question they haven’t answered so far, what would it be? 262
Feb 17 2012 President Obama's budget proposal rejects the cuts-only obsession of many in Congress, and includes several concrete, doable policies that will provide relief to Americans still struggling to get by today. Tell us what you think about President Obama’s budget blueprint. 6
Jan 25 2012 What are your thoughts on President Obama's State of the Union address? 119
Jan 18 2012 How you have been affected in this economy and what you want to hear from President Obama during his State of the Union address? 192
Jan 11 2012 What are your thoughts on the Republican presidential candidates’ policy positions? Which issues would you like the Republican candidates to address as this nominating process continues? 135
Jan 04 2012 What are your thoughts on the Iowa Republican Caucus results, and which issues would you like the Republican candidates to address as this nominating process continues? 86
Nov 01 2011 How do you think the Occupy Wall Street movement will affect the 2012 elections? 83
Sep 09 2011 Pres. Obama proposed the American Jobs Act to strengthen our economy and create jobs. How would you like to see the money and resources put to work in your community? 199
Aug 26 2011 As part of the recent deal to temporarily raise the debt ceiling, a congressional "super committee" was created to recommend ways to reduce federal spending and lower the deficit. What recommendations do you think this committee should make? 267
Apr 26 2012

Should teachers friend their students on Facebook?

 0comments
Mar 15 2012 Community schools give students and families access to healthcare, after-school tutoring, adult education and other services on site. What are your thoughts on schools offering these kinds of wraparound services? 20
Feb 24 2012 Should students be required to take the SAT or ACT, and apply to college, before graduating? 4
Feb 24 2012 Should students be required to take the SAT or ACT, and apply to college, before graduating? 0
Dec 14 2011 Will mats make cheerleading safe? 0
Oct 24 2011 Should schools be able to search student cell phones? 6
Oct 24 2011 How are Facebook and other social media affecting your school or classroom? 39
Aug 10 2011 Is Sept. 11 footage appropriate for the classroom? 4
Jun 24 2011 The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is fast approaching. Pause to reflect and share your memories of the days following the tragedy. 6
Jun 10 2011 The Special Olympics World Summer Games start June 25 in Athens. Are you a Special Olympics volunteer or coach? Please tell us why you volunteer and the benefits of being involved. 8
Apr 25 2011 Are school gardens always a good idea? 4
Mar 02 2012

Environmental awareness is growing. Is something “green” happening at your school or college? Tell us about it.

 5comments
Dec 09 2011 If your school district or college system has a labor-management team, what issues does it tackle and what has it accomplished? 1
Oct 11 2011 What is the most pressing issue facing paraprofessionals who work with students with disabilities? 40
Jun 10 2011 The Special Olympics World Summer Games start June 25 in Athens. Are you a Special Olympics volunteer or coach? Please tell us why you volunteer and the benefits of being involved. 8
Apr 27 2011 Whether it's finding volunteers for school projects or helping streamline procedures at your college, tell us how support staff make a difference in the lives of students every day. 0
Mar 01 2011 Have you seen or experienced bullying on the job by a boss or co-worker? (You don't have to give your real name.) 9
Dec 09 2010 What will we lose if we lose our school libraries? 9
Sep 02 2010 How do students' physical or mental health issues (e.g., dental, eating disorders, vision, asthma) affect their academic performance? 100
Aug 24 2010 Describe how facilities maintenance has become “greener” at your school or college. 0
Apr 23 2010 Tell us your story about how the work you do makes a difference in the lives of your students. 18
Mar 15 2010 What changes would you like to see in the new, reauthorized version of ESEA? 0
Mar 15 2012

What is your college doing about preparing students for careers?

 5comments
May 04 2012 Should career counseling be mandatory in the first year of college? 0
Mar 05 2012 Should President Obama’s policy of maintaining the Pell Grant maximum be the a priority, especially during these tough economic times? 2
Feb 09 2012 How is your college or union reaching out to engage with the community? 0
Jan 04 2012 Are there enough green jobs to merit green jobs training in colleges and universities? 0
Oct 25 2011 As demand for a college education grows, how are you stretching resources to meet the needs of your students? 10
Oct 24 2011 Do unpaid internships exploit college students? 3
Oct 04 2011 Demand for a college education is growing, even as state support shrinks. How are you stretching resources to meet the needs of your students? 2
Aug 12 2011 Should universities accept corporate funding for research? 2
Aug 04 2011 How does your campus prevent bullying among students and/or faculty and staff? 2
Jun 10 2011 The Special Olympics World Summer Games start June 25 in Athens. Are you a Special Olympics volunteer or coach? Please tell us why you volunteer and the benefits of being involved. 8
Mar 12 2012

The contributions of public employees are often taken for granted. How would you explain the value of your work to a stranger?

 13comments
Jan 12 2012 What is the most pressing issue facing public employees in 2012? 2
Nov 10 2011 What are your thoughts about employers and health insurers providing incentives for wellness behavior? 39
Aug 19 2011 With the loss of federal stimulus funding combined with the continuing recession, state and local governments have experienced unprecedented cuts over the past year. What impact have these cuts had on you personally, and on the services you and your agency provide? 2
Jun 13 2011 What revenue-raising policies do you support and why?
a. Income surtax on wealthy earners.
b. Sales taxes on services, including dry cleaning, legal services and home repairs.
c. Elimination of the ceiling ($106,800 in 2011) on Social Security taxes.
d. Elimination of subsidies for oil companies.
e. All of the above.
f. None of the above.		 17
Jun 13 2011 Do you think all public employees should be covered by Social Security? 8
Jun 10 2011 The Special Olympics World Summer Games start June 25 in Athens. Are you a Special Olympics volunteer or coach? Please tell us why you volunteer and the benefits of being involved. 8
May 09 2011 If you were an elected official, what policies would you support to balance the budget, and why? 7
Apr 15 2011 Do public employees earn more than comparable workers in the private sector? 1
Mar 11 2011 Public employees across the country make a difference every day in the lives of Americans. How is your work making a difference? 3
Jan 13 2011 Which is the most pressing issue facing unionized public employees in 2011 and why?

a) Layoffs and/or furloughs
b) Attacks on collective bargaining
c) Diminished public services
d) Negative portrayals of public employees by politicians
e) Privatization
f) Other

 33
May 14 2012

Is your hospital taking a team-based approach to healthcare? Do you think it's the best way to improve patient care?

 0comments
Mar 09 2012 What is your hospital doing to improve patient satisfaction? 5
Oct 18 2011 What effect do you think healthcare reform will have on your job? 14
Jul 12 2011 How are housekeeping staff at your facility included in infection control efforts? 0
Jun 10 2011 The Special Olympics World Summer Games start June 25 in Athens. Are you a Special Olympics volunteer or coach? Please tell us why you volunteer and the benefits of being involved. 8
May 17 2011 If you could change one thing to improve the quality of patient care, what would it be? 1
Mar 16 2011 Does your facility have a policy on the appropriate use of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter? Are you aware of any disciplinary actions from improper use of social media? 1
Dec 20 2010 To reduce errors, more hospitals are using checklists to ensure proper protocols are followed. If your facility uses checklists, has patient care improved? If not, how do you think checklists would improve care in your facility? 1
Nov 15 2010 How is bullying by supervisors or co-workers addressed in your workplace? 0
Sep 07 2010 What are some of the challenges or opportunities created by having multiple generations in today’s workplace? 9
Aug 23 2010 Have you ever worked overtime or through a lunch break at your facility without getting paid? 5
Mar 16 2012

What action has your state legislature taken this session on early childhood programs?

 9comments
Jan 07 2010 Do you believe your legislators have made early childhood education a high priority? 17
Jan 07 2010

What does it mean to be a union member? Why it is important to stand together?

 25comments

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