Learning is for Everyone, Inc. takes no political stand or position, but urges readers to be informed voters, just as they’re informed education consumers.  The accompanying links, resources  and candidate surveys come from a variety of sources and are included here to provide a readily accessible resource for those interested in learning more about candidates' positions on educational issues, as well as on other issues that may be important to you.   

Besides surveying candidates – either in person, should the opportunity arise, or via mail or email --- voters may wish to write to candidates, introducing yourself and telling candidates about the value you place on family directed education choices.   It helps candidates understand that their constituents are well informed, and have needs and interests that apply to society as a whole.

In addition to the tips below, also check out:
Children's Defense Fund Questions
National Home Education Legal Defense Questions
Legislative Watch Resources

The Children's Defense Fund offers some great "Activist Basics" tips for communicating with elected officials: As a general rule, Members of Congress are far more likely to heed your message if you are one of their constituents.

• *State your purpose for writing in the first sentence of the letter.  
• *If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it.  
• *Close your letter with a restatement of your purpose and indicate the response that you expect.  
• *Telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.  
• *State your reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators' or representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.

The Children's Defense Fund site also offers a succinct look at the Legislative Process.  For a more comprehensive understanding check out "How our laws are made" at the Library of Congress' THOMAS site.  

Some other possible questions for candidates, as suggested by the Center for Education Reform:

• *What are your three overall education priorities that, in a perfect world, you would accomplish during your tenure in office. How will you go about achieving them? Why are these the most important priorities?
•  *What role does money play in improving schools? Please explain your answer.
•  *What role should parents play in the education process? How much control do you believe parents should have over which programs or schools their child is enrolled in?  
• *Do you agree or disagree that the federal No Child Left Behind Act is good policy? Please explain your answer.
• *Do you agree with the position of many teacher unions and others in the education bureaucracy that the public school system is healthy as it is? Have you accepted or received support and/or endorsements from any of these groups or like organizations?
• *If you could dictate one area where you would spend Bill Gates’ money for education, what would it be?

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