Families & the Community Series

The Changing Face of Education Advocacy

Education Education Industry's Campaign & Lobbying Spending
Since 1989, spending by the education industry to fund election campaigns and lobbying activities has continuously increased. Also of note is the large disproportional level of spendings on campaigning versus lobbying efforts.
Chienyi Cheri Hung, May 29, 2012
Education Single Issue Advocacy Groups
As single-issue advocacy groups gain traction in education lobbying, questions arise about who they are, where they get their money from and what issues they represent.
May 29, 2012
Kira Orange Jones campaigns in New Orleans last fall for a seat on Louisiana’s board of elementary and secondary education.
Kira Orange Jones campaigns in New Orleans last fall for a seat on Louisiana’s board of elementary and secondary education.
James Robichaux-File
School & District Management Jackpot of Cash From Outsiders Helped Insurgent in La. Board Race
The race for a seat on Louisiana's board of education attracted the attention of education activists and politically connected individuals—and unleashed a torrent of spending.
Sean Cavanagh, May 21, 2012
9 min read
Teaching Profession Relationship Between Advocacy Groups, Unions Uneasy
New organizations are jousting with teacher groups for influence on policy issues.
Stephen Sawchuk, May 21, 2012
13 min read
School board member Jason M. McCarthy, in Buffalo, N.Y., speaks during a special board meeting in August held to reinstate teachers. In his campaign two years ago, Mr. McCarthy received unsolicited contributions from outside education advocacy groups, including one associated with Democrats for Education Reform.
School board member Jason M. McCarthy, in Buffalo, N.Y., speaks during a special board meeting in August held to reinstate teachers. In his campaign two years ago, Mr. McCarthy received unsolicited contributions from outside education advocacy groups, including one associated with Democrats for Education Reform.
Harry Scull Jr./The Buffalo News
Education Funding Outside Advocacy Groups Target Local School Board Elections
A new breed of K-12 advocacy organizations is making its campaign-cash influence felt in local school board contests.
9 min read
Education The Changing Face of Education Advocacy: Political Capital in Colorado
Colorado’s largest teachers’ union and two of the education advocacy organizations profiled in this Education Week series made significant political contributions and endorsed candidates in state elections in 2010.
May 14, 2012
Education The Changing Face of Education Advocacy: Trickle Down
A number of prominent foundations have supported the charitable wings of national education advocacy groups. The engagement of philanthropies in policy advocacy is a relatively recent phenomenon that roughly parallels such education groups’ expansion over the past decade. This list details three foundations’ investments; it is not a comprehensive list of all private foundation contributions, nor does it include local, public, or community charities’ contributions.
May 14, 2012
Federal New Advocacy Groups Shaking Up Education Field
The organizations' influence over policy and politics appears to be growing, especially at the state and local levels.
Stephen Sawchuk, May 14, 2012
17 min read
Then-Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll, a Democrat, gavels to a start the 2010 state legislative session. Mr. Carroll, who was term-limited and left office in 2011, relied on education advocacy groups, including Democrats for Education Reform and Stand for Children, in helping to pass a new teacher-evaluation law. He says the groups helped organize teachers, parents, and students in support of the measure, which was fiercely opposed by the state teachers’ union.
Then-Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll, a Democrat, gavels to a start the 2010 state legislative session. Mr. Carroll, who was term-limited and left office in 2011, relied on education advocacy groups, including Democrats for Education Reform and Stand for Children, in helping to pass a new teacher-evaluation law. He says the groups helped organize teachers, parents, and students in support of the measure, which was fiercely opposed by the state teachers’ union.
--Andy Cross/The Denver Post-File
Education Funding New K-12 Advocacy Groups Wield State-Level Clout
New organizations are making their impact felt in statehouses on issues such as teacher evaluation and charter schools.
13 min read
Education Funding Foundation Cash Boosts Education Advocacy Groups
Grants to prominent K-12 groups often helps underwrite activities touching on sensitive areas of education policy.
Stephen Sawchuk, May 14, 2012
4 min read
Education An Overview of Campaign Finance and Lobbying
An influx of money from the financial industry to single-issue advocacy groups threatens to challenge the hegemony of unions in political lobbying.
May 14, 2012
Education An Education Campaign-Finance Primer
Act as an individual or organization advocating for a specific effort related to education. Navigate the myriad of options you have to fund your cause.
Stephen Sawchuk, May 14, 2012