2012 AEA Member Guide - Alabama Education Association

Gathering Information the
Association Needs
The AEA Research Department accumulates important educational data from a variety
of sources. The data are mathematically analyzed and various reports are provided to
the membership.
Of high importance in the process is financial data having impact on revenue and
expenditures for public education in Alabama. The information is shared with state
government officials and members of the Alabama Legislature as the annual education
budget is discussed and modified.
Amy Marlowe The department is also charged with the responsibility for keeping the association
Manager of on the cutting edge of technology to make the business of AEA more efficient.
Electronic communication with staff and members has been steadily increasing.
Research and
Establishment of AEA’s website, www.myaea.org, and our e-mail response to
Technology
members has allowed a greater and more instant flow of information.
The AEA, in conjunction with the national organization (NEA), maintains a
communications network available to every staff member both at the headquarters
and in the field. AEA has established an Internet home page and staff e-mail addresses to receive and send
messages to members. Every field staff member has been provided state-of-the-art computer equipment
for use in data maintenance, word processing, and newsletter production.
The AEA Technology Department provides necessary and ongoing training for staff members in the
utilization of computers and software.
Dr. Gerald W.
Johnson
Director of Capital
Survey Research
Center
The Capital Survey Research Center (CSRC) is the polling department of the
Alabama Education Association. Established in 1996, the CSRC is a 24 station state-ofthe-art
telephone interviewing center. The CSRC uses a Computer Assisted Telephone
Interviewing (CATI) system that efficiently produces highly accurate survey results.
The center conducts a variety of polls, including:
• Statewide Public Policy Issues and Political Surveys
• AEA Membership Surveys
• Legislative Issues Surveys
• Election Surveys
• Special Surveys for Local School Districts and Others
The results of public policy and legislative surveys are used to inform the
legislative and policy-making processes and participants, particularly those related
to education policy. Special surveys are conducted for local school districts on topics
ranging from school calendars to education tax referenda. AEA membership surveys
are conducted each year to learn about member attitudes and expectations so that AEA programs can best
meet the needs of members.
The CSRC provides an in-house, timely, efficient, productive, and responsive capability to conduct
surveys of interest to the mission and welfare of AEA and its membership. CSRC polling data play an
important role in the arena of public policy, specifically as it relates to public education policies, programs,
legislation, budgets, and personnel.
Results of recent CSRC polls can be found on the AEA website at www.myaea.org.
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