aae-logo.gif
Professional Association of Colorado Educators on Facebook

PACE Response to Deceptive Literature

Administrator
05/23/2008

The Professional Association of Colorado Educators (PACE) created this document in response to deceptive information distributed by others about our organization. If you have any questions, please contact us at 1-877-640-7223 or info(at)coloradoteachers.org. 

Myth:     PACE is independent of the Association of American Educators.

FACT: PACE is a proud affiliate of the Association of American Educators (AAE). PACE was started by AAE members who wanted to have their own state organization. In fact, all PACE members are members of AAE at no charge.

Myth:     PACE provides only liability insurance and no legal assistance.

FACT: PACE provides both legal assistance and liability insurance. As a PACE member, you have free access to our attorney referral network or you may utilize legal representation of your own choosing. Instead of having to accept a predetermined legal advisor, you have a choice.

Myth:     PACE members must pay for their own attorney.

FACT: PACE's network of attorneys bills the insurance provider—not you, the individual—for services covered under PACE's plan. In instances when you choose to use your own attorney, you will be reimbursed for services rendered up to the limits specified in the policy. In fact, PACE guarantees you job protection and legal services. With PACE, there is no committee to determine if you get legal assistance. It’s guaranteed! 

Myth:     PACE/ AAE support privatizing public schools.

FACT: We say to those who make such accusations, “Prove it.” First, PACE & AAE were both founded by public school educators. Not only do PACE & AAE support public schools, 96 percent of our members are public school teachers – educational professionals – just like you who want to be associated with a non-union professional association.   PACE & AAE were created of, for, and by public school teachers. We proudly support public schools and teachers, through and through.

Myth:     PACE and AAE are associated with a variety of pro-voucher organizations. 

FACT: PACE and AAE work with any organization that is interested in helping all students achieve. Neither PACE nor AAE has ever supported vouchers because our membership does not support vouchers. We take pride in the fact that we only take positions on issues when our surveys indicate a super majority of our membership is “for” or “against” an educational issue. It’s simple: if you aren’t in favor of it, we won’t work for it! 

Myth:     AAE is funded by “ultra-right billionaires who want to privatize public education.”

FACT: The AAE Foundation receives donations from a variety of charitable organizations that want teachers to have choices in professional representation. That’s no secret. AAE foundation donors aren’t happy with the status quo in education and believe AAE can help bring an alternative voice for teachers to the table. We readily admit that some of our donors have given to causes that unions don’t like. But ask yourself, how many times has your union supported causes with which you don’t agree? 

Myth:     PACE wants to “sap” the union’s “power.”

FACT: Must labor unions be the sole voice for professional teachers in America? In Colorado alone, there are more than 15,000 teachers who have chosen not to belong to a labor union.  These teachers deserve a “voice” as well. In fact, there are over 300,000 teachers in America who belong to a non-union professional teacher organization like PACE.  In Colorado, you too have a choice!

FINAL WORD: We are proud to share information about our organization. We have members across Colorado and are growing every day. We simply want to give educators a choice in professional membership. We deliver exactly what we promise and what our members tell us they want—advocacy, choices, protection, and professional development – all at an affordable price. Visit PACE at www.ColoradoTeachers.org and see how we are creating a new vision of what a career in teaching can be!

PACE Member Survey
In this survey we ask for your opinions and insights on how PACE can best serve you.

Risks Facing Today's Educators
Click here to find out how to safeguard yourself & your students