Tips for Getting Financial Help for Annual Conference
During these leaner times, ASCD understands that finding funds for Annual Conference can be tough. We would like to offer you some assistance to help you talk to your supervisor and organization to approve the costs associated with ASCD's Annual Conference.
Tips for Making Your Case for Annual Conference
Start the Conversation About Funding Help as Soon as Possible
ASCD is a nonprofit organization, and we do our best to keep the registration price for our Annual Conference as low as possible. However, because of the rising cost of producing such a conference, we must charge a fee to attend. Educators who wish to attend should secure access to funding to cover the registration and travel costs through their local school, district, or agency's professional development budgets.
Research Local Funding Sources
We realize this can be a complicated and bureaucratic process and may take time to figure out locally, so we encourage you to begin as soon as possible. We highly recommend that you do some research within your school or district to see which administrators, curriculum heads, professional development coordinators, or grant coordinators may have access to discretionary professional development funds. Once you find out who that is, you should alert the person(s) to your interest in attending Annual Conference and the costs involved.
See If You Qualify for a Lower Registration Rate
Demonstrate What You Will Bring Back as a Return for the Investment
Offer to prepare and deliver a short presentation and question-and-answer session to your colleagues or school board to share what you've learned. That way, others in your district will also get the benefits of your attendance. You can also share the speaker handouts with your colleagues.
Make Your Case
Provide them with information about ASCD and the Annual Conference to help "make your case" to attend. You can direct them to the event website so that they can see the range of high-quality professional development content offerings taking place at the event.
Seek Out Other Sources Than Your Own District for Funding Options
- Did your state or district win a Race to the Top (RTTT) or an Investing in Innovation (i3) competitive grant? If so, there could be funds allotted from those grants for teacher training and professional development, because recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers were critical criteria for obtaining those grants.
- Check for any leftover funds that may have been awarded to your district from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Many states and districts receiving these funds have not used up their supplies.
- Try the “Feds.” Under the Federal government’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) there are provisions in Title II, Part A, providing funds specifically for teacher and principal training and recruitment. And for schools that qualify for Title I funding sources targeted at improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged, there are specific provisions for teacher preparation and training and for comprehensive school reform that qualify these funds for professional development.
- Request funding from your local educational foundation, local businesses, or parent/teacher organization. If you explain how certain sessions at the conference will help teachers gain a better understanding of new teaching methods or curriculum applications, maybe potential funders in your school community will see the value in attending the ASCD Annual Conference.
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Sample Letters to Principal/Supervisor
We're including a sample letter for you to take and make your own. Remember, when you're asking for financial assistance, the best pitch is a personal one. Listed below are three versions that you can save and download in the format that serves you best.
If you are unable to access any of these formats, let the ASCD Conference staff know, and we'll work with you to find something you can use.
We hope that you are able to successfully navigate your local school system to acquire this funding. If you have any questions about the process, please e-mail the ASCD Annual Conference staff, or call us at 1-703-578-9600.
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