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AAE Releases 2016 National Member Survey

  • 03/03/16

Mission Viejo, Calif. — Today, AAE released its 2016 National Membership Survey on the nation’s most pressing education issues. We're proud to showcase member views and share our findings with policymakers and stakeholders on all levels.

Overall, AAE members are eager to embrace various education reforms particularly involving school choice, technology, teacher preparation, testing and assessments, and collective bargaining AAE has been a vocal supporter of educators in all academic settings, and AAE members have embraced policies that increase options for students and teachers alike. In fact:

  • 95% of teachers expressed support for course choice allowing students to craft custom educational plans utilizing a variety of providers.
  • 79% of members expressed support for public charter schools.
  • 71% of AAE members expressed support for Nevada’s Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs), allowing parents to choose a school that best suits their child’s needs.
  • 38% of AAE members are currently benefiting from school choice policies.

Today’s students have embraced technology unlike any other generation. However, while AAE members are willing to embrace innovation they have concerns about scalability and access. AAE’s survey questions regarding these issues revealed:

  • 93% of AAE members utilize technology in their classrooms.
  • 48% of survey respondents agree with a proposal that would require students to take an online course to graduate.
  • 69% of teachers would support a blended learning environment in which students spend part of their day with a teacher and part of their day on a computer.

AAE members have been consistent proponents of policies that help retain and attract excellent teachers. According to our survey:

  • 77% agree with the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) report that recommends rigorous teacher preparation requirements, including a 3.0 GPA and passing of subject-matter tests to gain entry into teaching programs.
  • 68% agree that to attract new teachers and those with experience in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects we need to explore alternative certifications, allowing degreed professionals easier paths to the classroom.
  • 73% expressed support for efforts to recruit well-qualified teachers who are more representative (color and/or gender) of the student population.

AAE members are concerned with overtesting but remain committed to measuring success. Regarding these issues:

  • 78% of teachers expressed support for requiring students to pass proficiency tests to graduate from high school.
  • 86% expressed support for the U.S. Department of Education’s proposal of capping standardized testing at 2% of classroom time.

Collective bargaining and workforce reforms are also matters considered by AAE member teachers. For example:

  • 67% of those surveyed are interested in negotiating their own contract so that they can negotiate a salary and benefits package that best suits their lifestyle.
  • 67% expressed interest in a “Worker Choice” policy that would allow a teacher to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement in their district to negotiate their own salary and benefits package.
  • 82% recognized the need for a choice between a traditional pension plan and the opportunity to invest in a portable 401(k) for new teachers.

"We’re proud to support dedicated teachers eager to embrace professionalism," stated AAE Chairman and President Gary Beckner. "This survey represents the real voices of classroom teachers without the spin of the status-quo."

The complete survey can be fund at www.aaeteachers.org/natsurvey.

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