PAC- American Federation of Teachers

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is an organization that was formed in the early 1900's because many educators believed that their group should be modeled after that of a labor union that consists of teachers, paraprofessionals, and other working in the field of education (History, 2008). From the mid to late 1900's the AFT grew in members, almost doubling the number of teachers and other paraprofessionals associated with education (History, 2008). This organization distinguishes issues as high priority when they concern issues such as the passing of legislation that stresses the importance of education, salary, special education, and other such education based issues. This organization has been known to use methods such as striking to get their message(s) across.

Funding for the AFT is established through the dues that members pay. These dues can start at "$30 basic associate membership" to higher rates as determined by local affiliates (How do I join AFT?, 2008, ¶3). Some of the benefits for joining the AFT include such things as a quarterly magazine, access to different forms of insurance, discounts on various products, legal defense protection, and the ability to vote in determining what political candidate in a given election the AFT will support (How do I join AFT?, 2008). Membership into the AFT is determined by local, state, or national AFT affiliates, depending on the area in which you reside. Memberships are also offered at a discounted due rate if paid in two year intervals (How do I join AFT?, 2008).

Political candidates supported by the AFT through contributions to a candidate's campaign are made through a political action fund which comprises of contributions and donations made by members of the AFT. Any political candidate that is to be supported by the AFT has to have "...a super majority..." from the members that is at least "...60 percent of..." all counted votes (How do I join AFT?, 2008, ¶7).The AFT holds high standard when it comes to determining which candidate this organization will stand behind. In local political campaigns it is urged that local affiliates hold to this high percentile of approving votes to make any "local political endorsements, but a majority vote is legal" (How do I join AFT?, 2008, ¶7). All political candidates that are considered for endorsement by the AFT are politicians who hold high standards and or views for education and share the view of the importance of educational needs.

According to Editorial Projects in Education (2008), the influence of the AFT for the last decade is one that should be noted. The AFT ranked in the top 10 of the most influential organizations nation wide and shows that this organization is making a huge impact in politics (Editorial Projects in Education, 2008). The AFT has an influence index of 78 on a scale of 1 to 100, according to the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center (2008). This would show that the AFT has a large influence on politics and politicians in the U.S. government.

With a small beginning by a handful of teacher groups the AFT established a lifeline for education activists and professionals to make their voices heard by politicians as Congress. Although the AFT appears to be small when considering total memberships and the larger organizations, the influence held by the AFT is one that can be ignored. Through membership dues this organization strives to reform education to benefit, not only education professionals and or para-professionals, but the students as well. Endorsements to political candidates by the AFT require a higher than normal approval by voting members. Also, political candidates that are considered to be endorsed by the AFT and or AFT affiliates must have a strong educational ethic and expectations for the future of education in America.

Reference

American Federation of Teachers (February 2008). History. Retrieved July 25, 2008 from, web site: http://www.aft.org/about/history/index.htm

American Federation of Teachers (February 2008). How do I join AFT? Retrieved July 25, 2008 from, web site: http://www.aft.org/about/join.htm

Editorial Projects in Education (2008). Influential Organizations. Retrieved July 25, 2008 from, web site: http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/tb/2006/12/13/1139.html

Editorial Projects in Education Research Center (2008). American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Retrieved July 25, 2008 from, web site: http://www.edweek.org/media/aft.pdf