Advocacy and You

1. Advocacy and You David Griffith, ASCD Public Policy Director Iowa ASCD February 15, 2012

2. Session Overview • Advocacy 101 • A few pointers • The Elevator Pitch • Issues • The Meeting • When I get home, I’m gonna…. • Q & A

3. Advocacy 101: Born this Way You’ve been advocating since day #1

4. Advocacy 101: Your Voice Counts • If you don’t ask, someone else will! • Policymakers have limited time. • States have limited resources. Silence implies acceptance, so… Be the squeaky wheel…..

5. Four Basic Advocacy Tips

6. Advocacy Tips Tip #1: Do your homework • Know your issue • Be able to defend it • Know your legislator • Committees/positions

7. Advocacy Tips Tip #2: Establish relationships • Emphasize locality • School in common? • Be friendly • Be yourself

8. Advocacy Tips Tip #3: Think locally • You are a constituent. • You know what’s good for the kids—expertise. • Tell a story from your school or district. • Anecdotes, data: make it personal and memorable.

9. Advocacy Tips Step #4: Begin the process early Being proactive is the key to advocacy.

10. The Elevator Pitch What would you say if you only had the time it took for a short elevator ride?

11. Elevator Pitch: ESEA Reauthorization Reauthorize ESEA now to recognize the importance of whole child education and encourage accountability and evaluation systems that accurately measure student and teacher performance.

12. Elevator Pitch: Educator Effectiveness Each student deserves access to highly effective educators in every subject and school. The evaluation should be based on a combination of inputs and used for educators’ continual improvement.

13. Elevator Pitch: Funding Investing in education is an investment in our country’s future. Schools are already doing more with less, and policymakers need to provide the resources necessary to adequately help all students meet high standards.

15. Questions?

16. Issues, Backgrounders, Talking Points • Issues • Backgrounders • Talking Points

17. Issues, Backgrounders, Talking Points • For you • Issue briefing • Messaging pointers • Specific “asks” • Meeting materials • For staff • Resource

18. Issues, Backgrounders, Talking Points • Prioritize • Issues • Talking Points • Examples • Connections

19. Key Issues • ESEA Reauthorization • Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness • College, Career, Citizenship Readiness • Funding

20. ESEA Senate – Harkin/Enzi House Same. (eliminates science) Same Same State and districts determine Eliminates SIG • Keeps annual testing • No AYP, 2013-14 deadline • State authority for accountability, interventions • Specific actions for lowest-performing schools • N/A

21. ESEA Reauthorization Senate – Harkin/Enzi House Same Requires states/districts create teacher evaluations N/A • Student growth • Teacher evaluations optional • Well-rounded grant program

22. Senate – Harkin/Enzi House Limits Secretary’s waiver authority Eliminates maintenance of effort requirements Eliminates 43 programs • N/A • N/A • Consolidates 80 programs into 40

23. ESEA Reauthorization Senate – Harkin/Enzi House Allows block granting of Title I • N/A

24. ESEA Reauthorization • ASCD position • Reauthorize ESEA now • Whole child approach • Support/define college, career, citizenship readiness • Well-rounded education • All core academic subjects • Assess multiple measures • Growth model accountability • Ongoing PD

25. Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness • HQT to HET • Federal involvement? • State/ district options? • Definition of “effectiveness”? • Extent of student test scores? • Help or hunt? • Subjects?

26. Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness • ASCD position • Induction and mentoring • Team-based, job-embedded PD • Support for school leaders too • State-developed evaluations • Common definition of “effectiveness”

27. College, Career, Citizenship Ready • College, Career Readiness = Common Core = Reading & Math • Blueprint • Consolidates subject discipline grants • FY12 funding • Eliminated • Teaching American History • Foreign language • Civic education • Economic education

28. College, Career, Citizenship Ready • ASCD Position • Include all core subjects in college, career ready • Grant competitions within subjects • Reporting and accountability for all subjects at school, district, state levels

29. Funding • FY12 • Essentially flat • FY13 • Title I - $1.1 billion • IDEA - $896 million • Head Start - $590 million

30. Funding • ASCD position • Investments needed to serve all Title I eligible students • Help bridge state and local budget shortfalls • Rewards and incentives

31. Issues • Worksheets • Beyond elevator pitch • Talking points • More specific

32. The Meeting

33. Meeting with Policymakers Tip #1: Be professional • Be on time and courteous • Offer your credentials • Avoid being too familiar • Avoid confrontation • Even if your legislator disagrees, do not argue • Staffers are very important!

34. Meeting with Policymakers Tip #2: Know your key messages Use materials Use cheat sheets Use your own words Plan Prioritize Practice

35. Meeting with Policymakers Tip #3: Get it on the record The “ask” Get a response—co-sponsorship, sign the Dear Colleague letter, etc. Getting an issue on the record proves that your elected official supports the legislation or policy recommendation you are making.

36. Meeting with Policymakers Step #4: R-E-S-P-E-C-T Even if you disagree, understand the other side’s opinion. Today’s opponent is tomorrow’s ally.

37. Additional Tips/Logistics • Comfortable shoes • Business cards • Call if running late • Be yourself (everyone else is taken)

38. Role Playing • Practice the basics of the meeting: • Introductions—your credentials • “Thank you for meeting with us today.” • Background—think locally—yourstory • The problem—what is wrong w/ educator evaluations? • Iowa ASCD’s solution • The ask— • Be prepared for tough questions.

39. Role Playing Get to the point!! Don’t lose focus.

40. Meeting Tips • Do your homework • Focus on 2 to 3 key messages • Don’t only talk about what’s broken; provide solutions or alternatives • Share examples • Be specific, clear, and concise Source: http://itsunderstood.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/22/conversation_small.jpg

41. When I get home, I’m gonna…

42. Advocacy = Relationship Building Source: http://bellapetite.com/bella-petite-hour-business-edition-on-relationship-building.html

43. #1 Stay Informed • Become an ASCD Educator Advocate: • Capitol Connection • www.educatoradvocates.org • Follow! • @ASCD, #ascdpolicy • ASCD Inservice: www.ascd.org/blog, #ascdpolicy • @Iowaascd

44. #2 Leverage Your Networks As an individual: • Tell a friend • Become a mentor • Join a coalition

45. #3 Leverage Your Networks As a member of an ASCD constituent group: • Educate your fellow members • Set shared priorities/goals • Organize group Capitol visits, letter campaigns, briefings, etc. • Develop partnerships

46. #4 Connect the Dots • Help ensure coordination across school, district, state, and federal policies and practices • Talk to your federal legislators about state issues and vice versa

47. Building a Relationship with Your Lawmaker • Express your gratitude and appreciation. • Thank you letter • Throughout the year Source: www.resumeswan.com

48. Building a Relationship with Your Lawmaker 2. Listen. • What are their priorities? • What information are they seeking?

49. Building a Relationship with Your Lawmaker 3. Learn. • Lawmakers’ communication channels: • Website • E-newsletters • Twitter • Facebook