The Association offers many resources to inform reading professionals and many opportunities to join advocacy networks. But what can you do directly to influence the decisions made about your profession—decisions that will affect how students learn in your classroom? This page offers some ideas.
Designed for council leaders and others interested in helping to shape U.S. and local education policy, this document is full of specific, useful information on communicating effectively with Members of Congress and their staffs.
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Personal, thoughtful letters can have a significant influence on your elected representatives. The most effective letters focus on one issue, explain the local impact of legislation related to that issue, advocate that the elected official take a particular stance, and are courteous in tone. Ask for a reply, and make sure you include your return address.
To contact U.S. senators or representatives, use the following addresses:
The Honorable
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
You can also encourage colleagues, family, neighbors, and friends to write letters, and, if appropriate in your particular context, have your students express their ideas in their own letters.
A letter to the editor of your local newspaper is another way to communicate your well-considered views to the wider community.
Face-to-face discussion can be very powerful. Consider making an appointment to talk directly with your elected representatives. To ensure that your visit is taken seriously, make sure to call first to schedule an appointment. Arrive with a brief written statement outlining the importance of the issue. Be concise, since government officials must usually juggle many commitments. Point out the political impact of the issue. Be informed and prepared to answer questions. Above all, be flexible and polite, recognizing that time may be short and could be interrupted. After your visit, follow up with a thank you note and include additional data, information, or other materials that support your position.
Elected officials are also frequently willing to visit schools. A tour of the school, a read-aloud to young students, and a more formal talk to an older group are all activities to which an elected official could be invited. Make sure to organize the visit well, providing an agenda to the official’s staff and coordinating the event with them. Find out from the press secretary whether the media is expected to attend—and then prepare (and dress!) accordingly. Follow up with a thank-you note and any requested additional material about your school and the issues you and your colleagues face.
In addition to letters to the editor, many newspapers publish opinion-editorial pieces from community members. Establish a relationship with a member of the press who covers education topics in your local media. And then find out what opportunities there are for you to get your message across.
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