When education policy is crafted and debated, misinformation and partisanship sometimes take precedence over research and informed practice. Educators wishing to influence education policies must be well-informed by research and able to explain their positions succinctly. And they must act swiftly before debate is closed off.
With the advent of INFO-NET, a new interdepartmental—and inter-affiliate—pilot project launched by ASCD this month, several ASCD affiliates should improve their capacity to influence education policy, says Susan Nicklas, Project Director. INFO-NET will open a two-way communications process between ASCD and five or six affiliates, to be chosen this month. Three ASCD departments—Field Services, Education and Technology Resources Center, and Public Information and Policy—will collaborate on the new project.
Influence means "being the single most reliable source of accurate information about education," Nicklas says in describing one of the goals of the project.
Why is INFO-NET needed? Nicklas uses an example from last year. Texas policymakers suggested eliminating mandatory staff development, saying it wasn't effective in increasing student achievement. Texas ASCD called headquarters seeking reliable information supporting the importance of staff development. The affiliate also contacted other states to find out their policies on inservice training. Then affiliate volunteers wrote letters and visited lawmakers to press their case. Ultimately, the state kept its 20-hour staff development requirement.
Although the Texas example was resolved successfully, Nicklas says INFO-NET will improve and ease the flow of information between headquarters and affiliates, using telephones, fax, and online systems. As part of the project, ASCD will more systematically track legislative developments and be prepared to disseminate information on key issues, such as outcome-based education or assessment. ASCD also will work with the selected affiliates to designate legislative liaisons who keep up with policy developments and to develop a corps of volunteers prepared to influence lawmakers and others when an issue emerges.
If the INFO-NET project is successful, ASCD may expand it to reach other affiliates and groups.