Michigan ASCD

1. Michigan ASCD Board of Directors Presentation November 17, 2006

2. Michigan ASCD Presentation Why Lobby? 110th Congress- A look ahead ASCD Legislative Agenda High School Reform What Works Questions/Discussion

3. 2007 The Year Ahead110th Congress Power Shift in the Congress • House and Senate Controlled by Democrats • House 218 votes needed (230-195) • Senate 49-49 and 2 (Independents who will caucus with Democrats*)

4. 110th Congress • Shifts in Leadership and Committee Chairs Senate Education Committee Senator Stabenow-Budget Committee Majority House Education Committee Rep. Kildee-2nd in Majority Chair-Education Reform Subcommittee Rep. Ehlers

5. 110th CongressMichigan House Appropriations Committee Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D) Joe Knollenberg (R) House Budget Committee Thaddeus McCotter (R)

6. 110th Congress Michigan Leadership positions Senator Stabenow-Chair of Party Steering Committee Rep. Kilpatrick-Chair of Congressional Black Caucus

7. 110th Congress-Issues • No Child Left Behind • Head Start Reauthorization • Appropriations

8. Whole Child Campaign • All students get a more well-rounded education and communities work collaboratively to meet the needs of young people.

9. ASCD Whole Child Campaign • Proficient in the basics — reading, writing, math, science, social studies (including civics), arts, foreign languages, health and physical education, and life skills • Prepared for work and economic self-sufficiency • Healthy and safe • Taught by caring, qualified teachers, mentors and other adults

10. ASCD Whole Child Campaign • Commission on the Whole Child • National campaign • Initial states Colorado North Carolina Michigan Pennsylvania Washington

11. ASCD Legislative Agenda: 2006 • Determine accountability through multiple measures of assessment • Increase support and flexibility for comprehensive professional development • Increase support and resources for school readiness of the whole child

12. ASCD Legislative Agenda • Increase flexibility for research-based interventions in schools needing improvement • Provide flexibility and resources to support innovative high school reform

13. High School Reform • Setting just one child on the right path—graduating from high school, avoiding alcohol or drug abuse, remaining out of the juvenile justice system—saves taxpayers $2 million. - World Bank/America’s Promise

14. High School Reform • State/federal policymakers, elected officials, businesses and educators are asking for high school reform. • White House • Gates Foundation • College Board • National Governors Association • Broad Support on Capitol Hill • ASCD Legislative Agenda Item-calls for innovation, resources, and flexibility to reform high schools

15. High School Reform • ASCD drafting legislation for Congress to consider. • Schools are free to participate in pilot; but not required • Local control • Some requirements for participation Data Collection Programs

16. High School Reform • Multiple Measures of Assessments • Expanded Learning Opportunities • Personalized Learning • Flexible Use of Time and Structure • Professional Development • Business/community Engagement

17. High School Reform Multiple Measures of Assessment Interdisciplinary Exams Portfolios Performance-based assessments Project-based assessments State/district criterion-referenced end-of-course exams Exhibitions Other state approved assessment measures

18. High School Reform Personalized Learning Approach Developed in collaboration with students, parents, and educators Student/Advisor relationship is foundation Progressive plan leading to High School Graduation Not an IEP!

19. High School Reform Flexible Use of Time and Structure Students learn at different rates; school requirements need to reflect this reality. Allow states to redefine graduation rate and other federal accountability measures that inhibit flexible use of time. Create new models of attendance enrollment and graduation rates to reflect learning.

20. High School Reform Professional Development for Teachers and School Leaders that provides focus on: Multiple assessments Personalized learning Flexible use of time Utilization of community resources Leadership capacity

21. High School Reform Business and Community Engagement Designed and approved by the school Flexibility Higher-education partnerships Apprenticeships Community service experiences

22. High School Reform • ASCD drafting legislation for Congress to consider. • Schools are free to participate in pilot; but not required • Local control • Some requirements for participation Data Collection Programs

23. Building Influence What makes advocacy successful in organizations? What can be done within framework and what must be created?

24. Grassroots • Recruit people on the ground • Different roles • Education outreach people • Local regional leaders • Media outreach people • Letters to the editor • Everyone needs to write elected officials

25. Grassroots • Grassroots network • Easily activated • Well informed • E-mail is easy Action Center is Critical to Success

26. What Works • Grassroots Training -Easy -Effective -Empowering

27. What Works Issues and Agenda Legislative Committee Position Team Staff Focused Delegate Assembly

28. What Works • Fact Sheets -Why and how -More substantive than talking points -Provide rationale -Foundation for talking points -Great for members and public

29. What Works • Talking Points • Concise • Clear • Crucial

30. What Works • Advocacy Success depends on People taking action Letters/Voices Presence Media outreach Local Education Groups Champions

31. What Works • Public Hearings -Gather intelligence -Good for branding and presence -Provide opportunity for testimony -Media -Formal record on issues

32. What Works Testimony Written Formal Include Logo and Contact Information Provide local examples Testifying In Person Prepare Patience Anticipate Questions “I don’t know but will get back to you,” is acceptable answer.

33. What Works • Legislative Day • Specific Day • Bodies count • Issue focused • Newsworthy

34. What Works • Rallies -Coordinate with other groups -General message -Pooling of resources -Newsworthy

35. What Works • Schools and Programs • Show them what works in real terms at real schools • Tie items to specific programs • Invite media to attend at the conclusion of the tour. • Coordinate with officials after invitation is accepted • Elected Officials + photographs with kids in schools=Happy Politicians! • Great relationship building

36. What Works • Coalitions Can Work • Helpful to get your voice heard • Seat at the Table • Information sharing • Input and coordination • Group voice is louder • Numbers

37. What Works • Coalitions may NOT work if: • Lose your voice • May not go as far as you like • Not all issues represented • Bulky/cumbersome • Inefficient A tool for those who cannot command their own attention

38. What Works • Media Earned Issue comments breaking news/crisis Ideal- from an established relationship Free Opinion Editorials Letters to the Editor

39. What Works • Candidate Forums • Sponsored by Group or groups • Focused on specific topic (Education) • Not partisan • Negotiate with parties • Great way to highlight issues and build relationships • Election Year

40. What Works • Questionnaires • Ask Candidates about views on issues • Get it on the record • Some may answer and some may not • Branding/publicity • Be careful of the politics

41. What Works • Feature Legislators At Conferences -Great relationship building -Intelligence gathering -Be prepared for the Q and A -Flexibility with schedule

42. What Works • Programming at Annual Conference • Crucial to success • Association priority • Empower members