Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/740763
Everything You Need to Know Last day to register to vote: Oct. 24. Register online at registertovote.ca.gov. Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you're in line by 8 p.m., you're allowed to vote. (If you are voting for the first time or have recently registered, it's a good idea to bring an acceptable form of ID; see sos.ca.gov/elections.) Online resources: • Information, resources, toolkits: cta.org/campaign2016 • Watch educators speak in sup- port of students, education: youtube.com/CaliforniaTeachers • Elections and voter information: sos.ca.gov/elections • Build your personalized voter guide: cta.yourvoter.guide California's attorney general and can- didate for U.S. senator discusses her education agenda. You've made impressive gains for students and teachers in your current position. How will the position of U.S. senator provide new opportunities for your advocacy for education, educa- tors and children? I believe that meaningful access to edu- cation is a fundamental civil right, and I am fighting to ensure all California chil- dren have access to a high-quality public education. Investing in education is a surefire way to ensure that children grow up prepared for 21st century jobs, and helps children become productive and contributing members of the community. In the Senate, I'll continue fighting for universal early childhood education so that students enter school ready to learn, and I'll fight for policies that foster innovation and improve low-performing schools. And I will focus on getting more resources into classrooms and giving children a fair shot at success in school and in life. CTA and NEA have long battled inflex- ible, one-size-fits-all directives from the federal government. What kind of education-related legislation would you propose and support as U.S. senator? The most important role the federal gov- ernment can play to help improve public education is to ensure that through legislation and appropriation, all students are educated equitably in our schools and colleges no matter their background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or income level. Often children in underperforming schools are too overwhelmed by circumstances in their lives to be able to concentrate on their schoolwork, and often these schools lack adequate resources and services to ensure students' needs are being met. In the Senate, I will give the highest priority to increasing resources for wraparound services in our poorest schools, so that children and families can have the services they need to keep stu- dents alert and focused in the classroom. Investments in supporting the whole student will lead to better educational outcomes and prevent children from acting out and turning to criminal activity in the future. Educators are concerned about the skyrocketing costs and concomitant debt that have harmed students wish- ing to attend college. What proposals would you make or support so higher education is more affordable? We have an opportunity and a respon- sibility to train the next generation of workers and keep our economy compet- itive. I believe we can fix it, so students do not have to take on tens of thousands of dollars in debt to get a college educa- tion. As a prosecutor, I took on powerful corporate interests that have taken advantage of students, wasted taxpayer dollars, and made the cost of education more expensive for everyone. In the U.S. Senate, I will fight to make our higher education system more affordable for all families by ending the crushing student debt cycle and creating pathways to free tuition at public colleges and universities. Educators are particularly disap- pointed by the federal government's failure to fully fund its obligations to students with special needs. What could you do as U.S. senator to help ensure full federal funding for spe- cial education? As California attorney general, I led an investigation of a California school accused of abusing children with dis- abilities. And my Bureau of Children's Justice is specifically tasked with cracking down on discrimination and inequities in education. I will continue this fight in the Senate to make sure that disparities in our public education system are eliminated, and that all children, including students with dis- abilities, receive the diagnosis, IEP and accommodations they need. The Advocate Key questions for Kamala Harris 30 cta.org # C T A G O T V California Faculty Association's CSU East Bay chapter strategizes.