The What, Why and How of Candidate Surveys

What: The Candidate Survey Project invites local school board candidates to go on record with their views about the role of arts education in local schools. The results, published a few weeks before the election, give the public a way to learn more about candidates’ views before they vote.

Why: In recent years local school boards have been given increasing control over how education dollars are spent. The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) passed last year, solidified that shift giving local school board members unprecedented power about what programs are funded in district schools. Effective advocacy for arts education programs in California schools must target local school boards and elections provide a valuable opportunity.

Candidate surveys provide a time-based, newsworthy way to raise awareness about the value of arts education in public schools; they educate candidates and the public about the issue; they spark ongoing conversations and relationships between local school board members and advocates. We provide a briefing paper to provide background information about arts education to candidates.

How: It's easy to survey candidates in your community; the Alliance has created all the necessary materials. We provide sample letters, press releases, a step-by-step guide and training webinars where participants can ask questions. Our webinar, How to Survey Candidate in Five Easy Steps, will be available soon! To download slides from the webinar click here.

The Alliance operates its own online publishing tool that provides information in an easy-to-follow visually driven format where participants can upload their results. We’ve created a with all the tools you need – from cover letters to an online publishing platform – to undertake a survey in your community. A statewide network of organizations, including the Alameda County Office of Education, Arts for LA, Arts Orange County, California Arts Advocates, California Art Educators Association, California State PTA and Californians for the Arts will promote the results to thousands of voters.

Want to Join? Have Questions? Email us here!