Who Decides?
OEA-PIE and the Candidate Recommendation Process
OEA's candidate recommendation process is a unique and transparent process conducted by members of the Association's political action arm, People for the Improvement of Education (OEA-PIE). This is a separate organization of OEA members and other Oregonians who make voluntary financial contributions in support of pro-public education candidates. It exists because, by law, OEA member dues dollars may not be used for direct candidate support.
All OEA members are encouraged to become members of OEA-PIE. OEA-PIE membership provides educators and those who care about public education a greater voice in political decisions that affect Oregon's schools and community colleges. It also entitles its members to help determine which candidates will be recommended by the Association to its general membership.
OEA-PIE measures and recommends pro-education candidates through a thorough evaluation process.
At the local level, a committee of OEA-PIE members interview candidates before making their recommendations. All candidates are asked the same questions. The answers to these questions help members determine the level of support the candidates have for the concerns of children and public education, according to the following Measures Up Criteria:
» Strength of candidate support for increased funding for schools and community colleges, and opposition to vouchers and privatization of school programs.
»Strength of candidate support for safe school programs, Head Start, and health and nutritional programs.
»Strength of candidate support for smaller class sizes, early childhood education, programs for disadvantaged children, vocational education, college scholarships, school-to-work programs and updated technology in our schools.
»Strength of candidate support for including school employees in decision-making, increasing funding for professional development and supporting the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
At the statewide and federal level, candidates are considered at the OEA-PIE Convention, held in April of even numbered years.
Delegates---OEA members who contribute financially to OEA-PIE---attend from across Oregon to meet and vote on candidates for recommendation to the entire membership of OEA. Many candidates attend the convention, deliver speeches, participate in question and answer sessions, host information tables and "meet and greet" OEA members throughout the two-day event. This gives delegates a firsthand opportunity to discuss issues with candidates for elective offices that are vital to OEA members' interests.
The OEA-PIE Board of Directors works with the results of these two processes (the local level and the statewide OEA-PIE Convention) to determine campaign targets. Additionally, the PIE Board interviews and selects recommended candidates in contested judicial races.
An important characteristic of the candidate evaluation process is nonpartisanship. OEA-PIE considers Democrats and Republicans alike for recommendation. The outcome is based on local OEA members' assessment of how candidates measure-up to the criteria.
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