"The message that comes out of Congress is shaped by you. If you want to change it, you have to start at the grassroots level," Congressional staffer Chad Miller told attendees at ASCD's third annual Leadership for Effective Advocacy and Practice (LEAP) Institute. LEAP convenes yearly to promote effective advocacy that bridges the gap between education policy and practice. It's an opportunity for emerging and veteran education leaders to hone their skills for effecting sound education legislation.
This year, LEAP broadened its reach by inviting ASCD Educator Advocates, like Kara Rosenblatt and Peña Bedesem, to the event. Both Rosenblatt and Bedesem work with special-needs students in Florida, and both say their students were a big reason they were at LEAP. "I just kept seeing all of these injustices, but felt that changing the situation was out of my reach," says Rosenblatt. Bedesem adds, "I became disenchanted with educational policy that wasn't working, especially for students with disabilities. I wanted to do something about it, but I didn't know how to get involved." LEAP provided the opportunity for these two and others to connect with advocacy-minded educators and build the skills to directly influence education policy.
As part of the three-day institute, attendees heard from featured speakers Hugh Price of the Brookings Institution, William Bushaw of Phi Delta Kappa International, Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute, House and Senate staff members, and ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter. "I love the variety of perspectives," says Phyllis Pendarvis, Executive Director of South Carolina ASCD. "At LEAP, voices from different fields come together to share insights into their work and discuss how it intersects with the work of educators," she adds.
A Day on the Hill
The institute culminates in a "Day on the Hill," in which participants go in their state groups to Capitol Hill to meet with their House and Senate leaders. Attendees from countries outside the United States shadow state groups and develop advocacy practices applicable in their home countries.
Prior to this wide-scale advocacy event, attendees participate in professional development to learn how to craft legislative messages and have an effective meeting with policymakers and their staffs. For returning LEAP participants, this was a great opportunity to coach newer participants on Hill etiquette. Pendarvis was reassured by the amount of comfort she saw in "veteran" attendees. "We band together to support first-timers in their visits to the Hill, and they return the next year as confident veterans themselves," she notes. Ann Etchison, of Virginia ASCD, also relishes the possibility for capacity building among newer affiliate members and Educator Advocates. "I'm a very shy person," admits Rosenblatt, "but I actually did a lot of speaking during our Hill visit. It's that important to me. I don't know what happened, but I hope it keeps happening. I need to talk about what I've seen in schools."
In reflecting on her group's Hill visit, Etchison remarks, "It's really powerful to have 12 colleagues from your state, all together, in both your senators' offices." She adds, "We've built relationships over the past few years with these staffers. They're knowledgeable about our stances, and they follow up with questions and opportunities to share resources. We're able to keep Virginia ASCD positions on the political radar."
For many, LEAP is a catalyst for long-term collaboration between ASCD educators and their political representatives. In South Carolina, for example, Senator Lindsey Graham followed up on the LEAP experience by inviting the South Carolina ASCD affiliate to have a voice at his No Child Left Behind roundtable event in late September. Pendarvis attributes these opportunities to the advocacy training that LEAP provides for ASCD leaders to help them confidently step into the political arena.
Building Partnerships for Positive Change
Ultimately, the presence of educators in the political arena has the power to positively shape the lives of whole children. As featured speaker Price was quick to point out, "Children may make up 18 percent of our population, but they represent 100 percent of our future." Price's call for action resonated with Rosenblatt. "It's important for educators and policymakers to work together. Educators need to go to their representatives and share their actual experiences in schools. If people knew what was really happening, political opinions would change."
It comes down to connecting on a personal level, finding those grass roots, and digging in on behalf of our students. With each year, LEAP is growing in scale and reach, while staying true to the very personal passions at the heart of each participant. "This year, through LEAP," Bedesem affirms, "I found an avenue for making a difference not only with my special-needs students, but for all students."