state law resources group, inc. annual conference may 2–4, 2013
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State Law Resources Group, Inc. Annual Conference May 2–4, 2013. About Us. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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State Law Resources Group, Inc. Annual
ConferenceMay 2–4, 2013
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About Us
StudentsFirst is a national advocacy organization working to to put
the laws and policies in place that ensure every child receives a high-
quality public education. We work with our two million members to
advocate for school systems that put students first by elevating the
teaching profession, providing families with quality school choices
and using resources wisely.OUR MODEL HAS TRACTION In the past two years, StudentsFirst, led by founder and CEO Michelle Rhee, has helped pass over 100
policies across 18 states, dramatically changing the way more than 23 million children will receive their public education. We have
changed the political landscape when it comes to education by helping to elect 135 pro-reform leaders and successfully protecting and
expanding reform by helping with ballot initiatives in Michigan, Ohio and Georgia. Lawmakers can now rely on StudentsFirst to provide
the financial resources necessary to protect their pro-reform voice, the strength of two million education voters nationwide and the
information they need to put students first.
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Our FocusWe know the problem.
Every student has the potential to achieve at high levels. Moreover, there is no shortage of effective, innovative, and dedicated educators and schoolsin America. The problem is thebureaucratic environment that theseeducators and schools operate in Is antiquated, adult-focused, andstifles innovation.
We know what works. Using a research-based and commonsense approach, StudentsFirst has identified the biggest levers to unleashing the potential of students and innovators to succeed.
OUR POLICY PILLARS
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Our Approach and Record
BUILDING AND ACTIVATING MEMBERSHIP
StudentsFirst is a massive movement of more than 2,000,000 parents, teachers, students and everyday citizens. We’ve worked hard to build our membership because we know that in order to pass laws, we need constituents to put pressure on their elected leaders AGGRESSIVE AND STRATEGIC LOBBYING
Student-centered policies must be translated into new laws and regulations. This requires a tough-minded approach to legislatures. StudentsFirst and our members have become a significant presence felt in state-houses across the country.COMMUNICATIONS
StudentsFirst is driving the national conversation about education reform. We have a distinct ability to be the chief voice for aggressive education reform through earned and paid media. SUPPORTING COURAGEOUS REFORMERS ELECTORALLY AND OPPOSING ANTI-REFORMERS
We are changing the political calculus around education reform. Lawmakers can stand up for student interests knowing StudentsFirst and its members will provide the financial and grassroots support needed to defend against those who support the status quo.
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Our PoliciesSTUDENTSFIRST POLICY AGENDA There is no silver bullet to fixing our education system. However, the last twenty years of research
and experience have taught us that the policies that govern how we educate our children matter. Great schools require the right policies
that put the interests of students first and drive student achievement. The StudentsFirst Policy Agenda articulates the 37 most powerful
levers for transforming public education across three pillars:
Elevating the Teaching Profession
Empowering Parents with Real Choices
Spending Taxpayers’ Money Wisely
TRACK RECORD Over the last two years, our Policy Agenda has been translated into more than 100 new policies governing the
education of 23 million children.
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MissionOur mission is to build a national movement to defend the interests of children in public education and pursue transformative reform, so that America has the best education system in the world.
– Active in 18 states.– Passed 68 policies in 2011.– Passed 45 policies in 2012.– Supported ballot initiatives in Michigan,
Ohio and Georgia.
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StudentsFirst Entities• StudentsFirst (c4)• StudentsFirst Institute (c3)• StudentsFirstNewYork (c4)• Great New England Public Schools
Alliance (c4)• Teacher Quality Matters Advocacy
Inc. (c4)• 7 registered PACs
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Lobbying Activity
Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee
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Lobbying Activity• StudentsFirst is a registered lobbyist
in our 18 active states and regularly lobbies on the legislative and executive level.
• The legal team regularly advises our legislative staff on compliance items such as gift restrictions and permissible activities in each respective state.
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Campaign Finance Activity
California Georgia (PAC & IE)
Michigan
New York (PAC & IE)
PennsylvaniaTennessee
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Campaign Finance Activity• StudentsFirst engages in two types of campaign finance activity:
– Direct Contributions• Contributions to state legislative candidates and party
committees, and in some cases local candidates, to the extent permitted by state law
– Independent Expenditure Activity• Independent expenditure activity in support or opposition to state
legislative candidates and in some cases local candidates, to the extent permitted by state law
• This activity is done through our C4 entity and our state specific PACs based on the limitations of campaign finance law in each state
• The legal team regularly advises our electoral staff on compliance issues related to state campaign finance law.
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Government Affairs/Legal Representation
• StudentsFirst works with its national legal team on our overall legal strategy
• StudentsFirst also needs state-specific legal advice in certain instances on lobbying and campaign finance issues
