The Alliance for Public Schools Foundation (APS Foundation) is a teachers’ union-funded advocacy group opposed to school choice initiatives in Florida. It operates in four Florida counties: Hillsborough County, Orange County, Pinellas County, and Volusia County. The organization focuses on local and state policy, urging people to sign petitions, and write letters to state governments urging them to give more funding to public schools and repeal voucher programs. 1
Both major national teachers’ unions, the National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have reported funding Alliance for Public Schools Foundation. 2
History
Alliance for Public Schools Foundation (APS Foundation) was founded in 2012 as an advocacy group supporting increased funding for traditional frequently unionized public school systems in Florida. It opposes voucher and school choice programs that offer parents alternatives to traditional public schools outside of the union monopoly. The group is currently operating in four counties, and has advocacy programs, student engagement summits, a donation page, and a take action section for those to take part in letter writing campaigns, and other activism. 3
Funding
Both major national teachers’ unions, the National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have reported funding Alliance for Public Schools Foundation. 4
Research and Advocacy
The Alliance for Public Schools Foundation supports several teachers’ union-aligned education policies. It pushes repealing voucher programs; increasing public school teacher benefits, including salary, health care, and community leadership; prohibiting teachers from carrying firearms; and providing government-run health services for students. 5APSF. “Community Priorities.” A4ALL Community Priorities, all4schools.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Community-Priorities.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2020.[/note]
References
- “Support Students, Teachers and Public Schools; Oppose Vouchers.” Alliance for Public Schools, 10 Feb. 2020, all4schools.org/schools/.
- Data compiled by the Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards from Annual Reports of Labor Organizations filed by labor unions. Queries conducted July 27, 2020.
- “Guidestar Profile: APSF.” Guidestar.org, www.guidestar.org/profile/45-5598673.
- Data compiled by the Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards from Annual Reports of Labor Organizations filed by labor unions. Queries conducted July 27, 2020.