Volume 9,
Issue 6
November -
December 2007
Dear NAFEPA Members:
The ending of a year and the beginning of another is a
perfect time to stop and reflect. As an organization, we have
had a very productive and rewarding year. We now have over 3,000
members nationwide. Our membership not only grows in numbers but
also in the diversity of job titles. We have many more members
who deal with the fiscal aspects of federal education programs
as well as many who are on the front lines implementing NCLB on
a daily basis. This includes many building principals including
some from my own school district in Alabama. Welcome all of you
and I know you will find membership in NAFEPA to be very
beneficial to you. While on the reflective theme, I recently
received a letter from Vanessa Moran (Sobeck). Vanessa was the
first recipient of the Stanley J. McFarland Scholarship in 2002,
which was the only scholarship at that time. Now we award three
scholarships each year. The additional two are in honor of John
A. Pfaff and Iva McCants. Vanessa graduated Summa Cum Laude from
the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and is currently teaching
first grade in the Tigerton School District. You can read her
letter on page 3. I appreciate Vanessa’s update and thank you
all for the support you provide for deserving students. As our
membership numbers increase we are adding members to our Board
of Directors. Affiliate states with 100 or more members are
eligible for two members on the Board, and we are pleased to
announce that Minnesota and Mississippi have both exceeded that
mark. Barbara Kearn will join Dale Zellmer in representing
Minnesota and Benny Montgomery will join Peggy Rogers in
representing Mississippi. We welcome Barbara and Benny to the
Board of Directors, and we look forward to working with them.
As we look to 2008 and the reauthorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act, the only prediction I have to make is
that we are closer to reauthorization than we were a year ago.
In this issue you will find comments concerning reauthorization
from several of our Board members. We will be asking all of you
to provide us with your reflections of NCLB and your suggestions
for reauthorization. I appreciate those who contributed and look
forward to hearing from others as we approach legislative
changes. Terry Larson and the Legislative Committee are working
to make sure we are ready when Congress settles down to work on
the task. With the Presidential elections taking a front row, it
may be 2009 before Congress is ready to really focus on NCLB.
The registration for our Spring Conference is in full swing and
I want to encourage you to go ahead and get registered.
Registration information is included in this newsletter and even
more information can be found on our website at
www.nafepa.org. The
conference will be held April 13-16, 2008 at the beautiful Omni
Shoreham in Washington, DC. I look forward to seeing you there.
Happy New Year!!!
Bobby Burns
President, NAFEPA
ANNUAL NAFEPA CONFERENCE -
Washington DC
April 13-16, 2008—Omni Shoreham Hotel
Foundation for Success: Using Data to
Enhance Student Achievement
www.NAFEPAconference.com
Program Schedule:
Sunday, April 13, 2008 – Registration and Pre-conference
Sessions
Terry Larsen, Alhambra Unified School District, California;
Closing the Achievement Gap – District Support through
Leadership, Organization and Program Services;
Sheara Krvaric, Associate, Brustein & Manasevit; Legal Issues
With Federal Programs
New Members Training and Reception
Monday, April 14, 2008—Focus on
Achievement
Doug Reeves, Founder of the Leadership and Learning Center;
Leadership at Every Level: Making a Difference from the Board
Room to the Classroom
Annual NAFEPA Board Meeting at Luncheon
Breakout Sessions – U. S. Department of Education
Tuesday, April 15, 2008—Focus on
Legislation and NCLB
Jack Jennings, CEO, Center on Education Policy; The No Child
Left Behind Act and the Future
Legislative Committee Update and Visits to Capitol Hill
Awards Banquet and Presenter
Wednesday, April 16, 2008—Focus on
Programs
Stan Collender, Managing Director, Orvis Communications;
Budgets and NCLB
Kristen Tosh Cowan, Partner, Brustein & Manasevit; Federal
Issues and NCLB
A 2008 GIFT TO NAFEPA —-
FROM VANESSA MORAN (SOBECK)
In April of 2002, I was awarded the Stanley J.
McFarland Scholarship by your organization, the National
Association of Federal Education Program Administrators. I would
like to take this opportunity once again to thank you and your
organization for selecting me out of many well-qualified
candidates as the recipient of this scholarship. I would also
like to give you a brief update as to my educational and
vocational advancements over the past year. I graduated Summa
Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in May of
2007 with a degree in Elementary Education. Furthermore, I
maintained a 4.0 GPA in the Pre-Professional Program of
Education. I was also very active within the education program
at UWGB and was a member of various student organizations
including Student WEA and Phi Kappa Phi. I was also fortunate
enough to be able to attend many wonderful conferences and
workshops around the state in an effort to extend my learning
beyond the classroom. I continue to volunteer within the
community as a
Sunday school teacher and also spent a semester volunteering at
the Brown County Literacy Council as a teacher's aide.
I am overjoyed to announce that several weeks
after my graduation from college, I was offered a job teaching
1st grade at Tigerton Elementary School in the Tigerton School
District. Last week, I completed my first quarter teaching and
could not be more sure that I made the right choice for my life.
My students are an absolute pleasure to have in class and I feel
both proud and honored to be their teacher. For over three years
I have been married to my best friend, Corey. We bought a house
in Green Bay and have recently finished an extensive home
make-over. We are beginning to plan for a family in the next few
years. More so, over the past two years I have developed my own
business: Vanessa's Videography, LLC. As it may be a bit
ambitious to be a first-year teacher and business owner, I
certainly enjoy the challenge and am driven to succeed in all
that I undertake.
I want to thank you and your organization again
for the great honor bestowed upon me. You helped to make my
education possible ,and now I am responsible for the education
of others. I know that the learning that takes place within the
walls of my classroom will one day have a great impact on the
future of our nation. Thank you again for all your support. You
helped to make my childhood dream of becoming a teacher a
reality and for that I am truly grateful!
NCLB—WHAT DO NAFEPA MEMBERS
THINK?
From Helen P. Adams, Retired
Administrator, Wake County School District; Co-Chair of
Legislative and Golden Circle Committees for the North Carolina
Association of Compensatory Educators (NCACE) ; North Carolina
Representative on the NAFEPA Board of Directors:
What do you think have been
the positive outcomes of NCLB?
We have focused attention on all students. Accountability is
the key. We know how all sub-groups are performing, and we have
improved teaching methodologies and or practices for all
sub-groups through professional development. We have leveled the
playing field for all students.
What do you think have been the negative outcomes of NCLB?
NCLB is driven by test scores that don’t necessarily capture
all the success and growth in learning. Less Title I money is
going to students because of sanctions. There is no
consideration for growth (all or nothing standard). Placing
Choice before SES should be reversed.
How do you think the law should be changed?
We need to differentiate between success and failure in
measuring successful efforts of schools. Sanctions should be
reviewed and revised. Structure for growth and more support for
schools after they have gone through all the sanctions should be
provided. SES criteria should be revised as the SES providers
are middle men and they represent another layer of bureaucracy
between the services and students. More funds are needed to
fully fund Title I initiatives.
From Everett Mann, Administrative Assistant, Business and
Planning, Hamilton School District; Ohio Representative on the
NAFEPA Board of Directors:
What do you think have been the positive outcomes of NCLB?
NCLB provides federal funding for a wide array of programs.
Accountability measures are for schools and districts and
include all children. NCLB addresses equity for children by
poverty level, race, disability and proficiency in English. NCLB
requires highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals.
What do you think have been the negative outcomes of NCLB?
Federal funding with setaside requirements is not enough to
meet student and staff needs. Accountability requirements for
disabled and limited English proficient students need more
flexibility. The safety net of employment and social programs
does not meet the needs of students and their families.
Requirements for students and staff competencies increase
difficulty of recruiting and retaining staff.
How do you think the law should be changed?
A new goal should be “… make sure every child is moving
forward.” Spellings, The Achiever, November/December 2007 VOL.
6, NO. 8. A uniform way to calculate the graduation rate is
needed. Ohio’s priorities for reauthorization agree with three
recent recommendations from the Center on Education Policy.
Accountability requirements for the providers of supplemental
educational services need to be established. States should be
allowed the option of using growth models to determine the
academic progress of students. The individual education program
(IEP) of a student with a disability should be allowed to
determine how he or she should be tested.
From Terry Larsen, Director of Special Projects, Alhambra
School District; President of the California Association of
Administrators of State and Federal Education Programs;
California Representative on the NAFEPA Board of Directors:
What do you think have been the positive outcomes of NCLB?
The goals of NCLB are good. The law has held both districts
and schools more accountable for student achievement over time.
What do you think have been the negative outcomes of NCLB?
There is too much federal intervention in the state and
local governance of education. Flawed accountability models that
vary from state to state do not allow for meaningful national
data. Standards and performance standards vary from state to
state creating havoc with who is legitimately entering School
Improvement and who isn't.
How do you think the law should be changed?
Equate standards and performance standards across states so
we can tell the public as well as Congress how many students in
America are proficient. Allow for more valid and reliable
Accountability Models including Growth Models. Provide
flexibility in the Reauthorized NCLB that respects state and
local education governance. Utilize Negotiated Rule Making as
the process.
HOW TO ENTER THE MEMBERS
ONLY PAGE
at www.nafepa.org
The password is esea1965nclb
Keep the password confidential. It is ONLY for NAFEPA members!
CHECK YOUR LABEL TO SEE IF YOU ARE OVERDUE .
IF YOU ARE, IT IS TIME TO RENEW!
Welcome to Our New NAFEPA
Members
Alabama: Tenna Anderton, Eleanor Bailer,
Merri Beth Bass, Carolyn Baumgartner, Danny Berry, Ardrene
Bishop, Joyce Bishop, JoAnne Blair, Hector Boeza, Scott Bonds,
Deborah Box, Lakesha Brakins, Lamar Brooks, Loretta Brown,
Jennifer Burt, Phyliss Campbell, Andy Caves, Eddi Clark, Susan
Collins, Stephanie Damzy, Judy Davis, Joe Dyar, Debra Ellis,
Carol Evans, Mary Harrington, Sonja Harrison, Robert Harry,
Charlene Hill, Barbara Hoffman, Larry Hooks, Nancy Horton,
Patricia Hughes, Tim Isbill, Ken Jarnagin, Lillian Jefferson,
Charles Johnson, Phillip Johnson, Teresa Johnson, Jean Jones,
Kathryn Jones, Alesa Judd, Susan Keller, Grace King, Rhonda
Lassiter, Sharon Lessley, Barbara Locke, J. L. McCarty, Sally
McClure, Ricky Messick, Becky Miller, Anita Mitchell, Gwendolyn
Moore, John Moore, Willard Moses, Jeff Newman, Lakeyella
Nichols, Regina Nolen, Doug O’Dell, Sharon Owes, Brenda Palmer,
Brenda Rickett, Belinda Roberts, Ernestine Shakoor, Marcia
Smiley, Amita Smith, Tim Solley, Gerald Stephens, Fran Stewart,
Joey Warner, Annie Walker, Jan Williamson, Larry Wilson, Karen
Winn, Stephanie Wisener, Treba Young; Arkansas: Jeannette
Alstadt, Jan Bartlett, Sandra Beck, Dubs Byers, Carol Byrd,
Julie Coveny, Jim Deloach, Paula Dickerson, Rick Duff, Tish
Ford, Rick Gales, Bruce Griffin, Dinah Haertlein, Pam Hickson,
Paul Hines, Sandy Hughey, Russ Johnson, Delton Kitchell, Danny
Lusk, Scott Martin, Teresa Matochik, Debbie Miller, C. H.
Overbay, Petra Pershall, Kimberly Pymm, Teresa Ragsdale, Bob
Rahrle, Nancy Rana, Louanne Rowe, Donald Rowlett, Laura Sanders,
Kristen Scanlon, Gaylon Scharbor, Steve Scoggins, Marsha Shaver,
John Walker, Barbara Warren, Tanya Wilcher, Carolyn Wilson;
California: Allison Adams, Laurie Alexander, Rosana Alvidrez,
Cuahutemov Arroyo, Barbara Ashley, Vickie Atikian Aviles, Marty
Barrios, Cheryl Bean, Juan Becerra, Lisa Bloom, Silvia Borjas,
Bess Bronson, Charleen Brown, Marzella Brown, Pam Brown, Mary
Brown Oleson, Lisa Cain, Doug Carlton, Anna Carrasco, Maria
Castellanos, Marjorie Castro, Ruben Castro, Joy Ceasar, Wanda
Chang Shironaka, Chiung-Sally Chou, Elena Christian, JoAnn
Cisneros, Judy Coble, Linda Conover, Rayna Corral, Rosalinda
Cuebas, Christine Curran, Dhillon Gurprit, Cecelia Dial, Myra
Dickerson, Ramona Duran, Martha Foncerada, J. Antionio Gaitan,
Adreana Garcia, Rachel Garcia, Diane Greenbaum, Linda Harden,
Lisa Hayes, Ormides Hernandez, Violeta Hernandez, Lynn Hill,
Noreen Iwai-Ito, Robbin Jaureguy, Ken Johnson, Leslie Jones,
Kathryn Josephson, Georgeann Kanehiro, Karen Kendall, Kati
Krumpe, Leslie Lacey, Siu Lau, Pat LeGrande, Patricia Levy,
Diana Limon, Arnulfo Lopez, Kristine Lopez, Sandra Lopez, Paula
Lovo, Gregorio Luna, Maria Macias-Hoyo, Patty Marcial, Mary
Martinez, Suzana Martinez, Connie Mayhugh, Amy Monte, Joan
Moorman, Brian Murray, Robert Nacario, Maria-Elena Navarro,
Eileen Nurani, Doreen O’Donovan, Patty Ottoson, Luis Panduro,
Shawna Petit-Dinkins, Susie Pierson, Lisa Pilaski, Judy Post,
Carol Pratt, Martha Ramirez, Lori Rangel, Gloria Rhay, Patricia
Rich, Mercy Rivera, Julio Robledo, Ramona Rodriguez, Silvina
Rubinstein, Irene Salazar, Marcie Sanders, Corrina Santiago,
Katrina Schauble, Ken Scott, Joseph Scudder, Marueen Sellier-Carter,
Earl Shore, Donna Smith, Susanna Smith, Kris Stanga, Thelma
Stevenson, Samara Storms, James Suarez, Theresa Swickla, Barbara
Thieson, Gay Todd, Twila Tosh, Anna Truex, Bernadette Vasquez,
Susan Waller-Mummert, Karla Wells, Becky Wetzel, Ric White,
Cynthia White, Carolyn Williams-Marshall, Marylou Wilson,
Barbara Wolfinbarger, Jerry Wooden; Colorado: Patti
Parades, Joy Perry, Julie Sack; Louisiana: Carolyn
Higginbotham, Dorothy Wheeler; Michigan: Elaine Adamo,
Bruce Barbour, Lynda Bauckham, Michelle Benson, Donna Bergman,
Carole Beverwyk, Cynthia Blackerby, Terry Boguth, Tonda Boothby,
Melissa Cabine, Jamie Carnes, Dorothy Carver, Sharon Chalker,
Carla Choponis, Cheri Chistensen, Valerie Church-McHugh, Bruce
Cook, Susan Curry, Harvey Czerwinski, Jill Dagley, Brian Davis,
Bethany Deschaine, Arelis Diaz, Joan Donaldson, Scot Donley,
Allys Dreves, Kim Duvall, Ethan Ebenstein, Kathy Ellison,Carrie
Erlandson, Jo Essenmacher, Rose Falter, Cathy Ferguson, Blair
Fieldcamp, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Christine Forrister, Debra
Fudala, Brian Galdes, Jose Gamez, Karen Geisz, Macaria Gonzalez,
Diana Gutowski, Samir Haddad, Barbara Hase, Dean Havelka, Pam
Hawkins, Rick Heitmeyer, Melissa Heller, Cullian Hill, Joanne
Hopper, Harry Howard, Sandra Jeanotte, Maureen Jorgfensen, Heidi
Kast, Julie Kauppila, Wendy Kellehan, Ben Kirby, William
Kryscynski, Ann Lars, Karen Lee, Tom Liovezey, David Maile,
Cheryl Malcheff, Syndee Malek, Mary Maloziec, Sherryl Martin,
Mary Jane Mayne, Helen McCartan, Karen McGuire, Lorrie McMahon,
Debra McNally, Sandra McNeely, Debbie Mithcell, Pennyo Morgan,
Cynthia Nagle, Robert Naumann, Kathy Nerychel, Mary Beth Niemi,
Michael Ostyn, Laura Otten, Marie Paris, Erica Philo, William
Pitts, Mary Lou Provost, Cynthia Raymo, Thomas Reeder, David
Rees, Dolors Reid, Sandra Robinson, Wageh Saad, Arnae Sajdak,
Jacklynn Salazar, Henry Schafer, Maura Sedgeman, Tiffany
Slobodnik, Lenora Smith, Christine Solberg, Wendy Somers, ,
Karen Strong, Mary Strom, Kathleen Stuby, Judy Sundquist, Mike
Syropoulos, Shereen Tabrizi-Arraf, Kim Tanis, Deborah Tyson,
Shelly Umphrey, Sue Van den Hoek, Robert Van Dis, Julie
VanBergen, Kim VanderVlucht, Nancy VanNortwick, Dana Wade,
Cheryl Wald, Patricia Ward, Christine Wargo, Timothy Wedge,
Kimberly Wells, Diane Wilberding, Coliene Willison, Kami Winton,
Judy Wordelman, Suzanne Zellinski, Jill Zuegar, New
York: Cheryl Wheeler; Ohio: Sue Bradley; Oklahoma:
Richard Bishop; South Carolina: Toni Ramon; Texas:
Ann Sandoval; Virginia: Nan Alga, Carolyn Baker, John
Ball, Larry Barber, Ava Barrett, Donna Bates, Carlton Bell,
Rita-Anne A. Bigelow, Karen B lake, Barbara Blount, Teresa Blum,
Annette Board, Cheryl Bostick, Linda Bowers, BJ Brewer, Rebecca
Broaddus, Herphine Bryant, Donald Bullock, Eileen Burgwyn, Trula
Byingont, Barbara Carper, Thomasine Carter, Polly Cassady,
Patricia Clark, Ann Cocke, Tracy Coleman, Janet Covington,
Cindyo Crance, Maria Crenshaw, Teresa Culbertson, Angela
Dahlinghaus, Ann Dalton, Linda Dalton, Jack Davis, Shanna Deane,
Karen Dubiel, Mary Dunn, Bernice Dunstan, Susan Fidelman, Susan
Flemmons, Gabie Frazier, Susan Funk, Karen Garst, Anna Gee,
Marie Gee, MaryAnn Gibson, Rebecca Gillette, Anne Glancy, Janet
Goodhand, Breanda Greever, Susan Hall, Wanda Hamilton, Paige
Hannon , Sandra Harman, Angela Hash, Brenda Hess, Debra Hicks,
Linda Hill, Ursula Hill, Frieda Hines, Julie Honeycutt, Linda
Hyslop, Florestine Johnson, Tomassina Jones, Lynne
Kendall-Wilson, Judy Kinder, Selena Kiser, Kimberlyn Lancaster,
J. Vernon Laney< Nancy Lantz, Sheryl Leeds, Norma Lester, Tammy
Lindsay, Barbara Lowery, Mark Macekura, Bonnie Maki, Joyce
Mannherz, Valdivia Marshall, Jill Martin, Carl McDaniel, Jamey
McKenna, Donald Meney, Foney Mullins, Rebecca Nelson, Ellen
Nipper, Ernest Palin, Michele Parker, Elvera Parrish, Kathleen
Pendergraft, Mary Jane Perrault, Sandra Pettigrew, Devra
Pickett, Charlome Pierce, Patricia Popp, Connie Puckett, Hilda
Puryear, Beverly Rabil, Amy Raines, Rosemary Rice-Jones, Kerry
Robinson, Tracey Rogers, Debbie Rolen, Diane Rose, Michael
Rudder, Ernestine Scott, Terry Shirley, Melinda Skeens, Johnetta
Smith, Rebecca Smith, Stephen Smith, Sue Smith, Mary Stephenson,
Janice Stilwell, Kelly Storey, Tammy Sullivan, Bessie Tatem,
Helen Taylor, Sybil Taylor, Elizabeth Toney, Fred Vaughan, Laura
Vick, Catherine Wagner, Judith Walker, Diane Watkins, Barbara
White, Pamela White, Donna Whitley-Smith, Pamela Wilson, Angela
Wimberly, Karen Wood, Karen Woodford, Joan Woodson, Rochelle;
Wisconsin: Kim Christian, Milt Collins.
OUR APOLOGIES TO NEW NAFEPA MEMBERS FROM
MISSISSIPPI AND MINNESOTA —
WE WILL LIST YOUR NAMES IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER.
We also welcome our two new members to the
NAFEPA Board of Directors:
Benny Montgomery, Mississippi, and Barbara Kearn, Minnesota
NAFEPA
Membership/Subscription Form
Download form now!
(.pdf file*)
NAFEPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STATE REPRESENTATIVES
Alabama:
Karen Jensen: 256-852-7073;
kjensen@madison.k12.al.us
Margaret Mastin: 256-582-3171;
mastinma@marshallk12.org
Arkansas:
Anita Farver: 870-543-4236;
afarver@pbsd.k12.ar.us
Marilyn Chambers: 870-853-9851;
mchamber@hca.sesc.k12.ar.us
California:
Terry Larsen:
626-308-2251;
larsen_terry@alhambra.k12.ca.us
Linda Cook: 916-263-8258;
lcook@nssd.k12.ca.us
Colorado:
Mary McGrane: 970-352-7404;
mmcgrane@cboces.org
Florida:
Robert Pugh: 386-329-0543;
pugh_b1@firm.edu
Illinois:
JB Culbertson: 309-672-6754;
jb.culbertson@psd150.org
Louisiana:
Annette Jennings:
985-651-0969;
ajennings@stjohn.k12.la.us
Maryland:
Chrisandra Richardson:
301-230-0660;
chrisandra_richardson@mcpsmd.org
Massachusetts:
Paul Zinni:
508-588-0230; pzinni@tmlp.com
Michigan:
Glenda Virden: 734-495-0797;
virdeng@comcast.net
Marie Miller: 313-297-9600;
millerm24@comcast.net
Minnesota:
Dale Zellmer: 763-506-1120;
dale.zellmer@anoka.k12.mn.us
Mississippi:
Peggy Rogers:
662-244-5001;
drpjrogers@cs.com
Missouri:
Sandra Pettit: 816-413-5067;
sipettit@nkcsd.k12.mo.us
Nevada:
D. Terry Lizotte:
702-799-8630;
terry@interact.ccsd.net
New Jersey:
Daniel Loggi:
609-646-0109; dlogedd@aol.com
New York:
Christian Johnson:
917-710-1913;
xtnjohnson@gmail.com
North Carolina:
Helen Adams:
919-772-4009;
helenadams1@earthlink.net
Oklahoma:
Tom Sipe: 580-767-8000;
sipet@poncacity.k12.ok.us
Ohio:
Everett C. Mann III:
513-887-5000;
hasa_em@swoca.net
Pennsylvania:
Jim Sheffer:
717-309-9383; jsheffer@aol.com
Patrick Detterbeck: 987-8490-4030;
patdet@berksiu.org
Rhode Island:
Patricia Dubois:
401-767-4614;
rid25595@ride.ri.net
South Carolina:
Denise Ling:
843-899-5051;
deniseling@berkeley.k12.sc.us
Texas:
Gloria Williams: 512-414-0113;
gwillms@austinisd.org
Mitzi Doggett: 903-845-6991;
doggettm@gladewaterisd.com
Virginia:
Betsy Mierzwa: 540-946-4600;
bmierzwa@waynesboro.kl2.va.us
Washington:
Robert Harmon:
360-725-6170;
bobharmon@k12.wa.us
Wisconsin:
John Pfaff: 920-459-3596;
jpfaff@sheboygan.k12.wi.us
by Elizabeth Pinkerton — Revised December 2007
A - APPOINTMENT: Make your appointments with your members of
Congress BEFORE you leave for Washington DC. Even though you can
always walk in and talk to someone, your chances of seeing the
right person (such as the staff person who handles education)
will be much better if you let folks know you are going to be
there. Your purpose in visiting your representative is to inform
him/her about federal education in your district and how NCLB is
being implemented.
B - BUILDINGS: There are a lot of buildings on both sides of the
Capitol. The Metro system is wonderful, and Union Station is
very close to the Capitol. The National Mall with all the
Smithsonian museums stretches out in front of the Capitol toward
the Washington Monument. ……………………..(p.s. …. it’s NOT a shopping
Mall!)
C - CAPITOL HILL: It really is a HILL. The Capitol is in the
middle between the House and Senate office buildings. The
Supreme Court is right behind the Capitol.
D - DO’S & DON’TS: Be polite and respectful. State your
positions clearly on issues. Don’t argue. Don’t be rude. Don’t
make a big issue of something that is dear to the heart of your
legislator. DO NOT LOBBY!! THAT IS NOT YOUR ROLE!
E - ELECTION: Remember, all members of the House and one third
of the Senate were just elected or reelected. And, the
presidential election has already started. Education issues are
at the top of most agendas. Do your homework and represent your
district. Legislators want to know what’s important back home.
F - FOLLOW UP: When you get home, send a thank you letter to
show your appreciation. Send a copy to your superintendent—and
maybe something for your local newspaper. Take a photo of
yourself and your legislator and send it along to the newspaper.
G - GOAL: Have your goals for what you want to accomplish in the
few days you will be in Washington. Keep visits to your
legislators high on the list.
H - HOMEWORK: Find out as much as you can about your legislators
before you get to DC. What were the election issues? If your
representative is new, why did he/she get elected? What is
important to the folks who represent you?
I - INFORMATION: Bring information about your
district—statistics, good news, pictures, and news stories. If
your district is pleased with the support from your legislator,
bring him/her a resolution from your Board of Education.
K - KEEP IT SIMPLE: This goes for what you say as well as for
your main messages. Keep advertising in mind, and make your
message easy to understand. Most important, make your message
easy to remember!
L - LOBBYING: You are NOT a lobbyist! Don’t talk about money or
changes you think need to be in the laws. Talk about programs
and their effectiveness. If your salary is paid even partly from
federal funds, you must totally avoid any semblance of lobbying.
What is lobbying? Attempts to influence legislators about
legislation, promoting projects for future legislation, and
trying to sway legislators toward specific action.
M - MAP: Be sure to have a map so that you know where you are
going. Don’t be confused by the various office buildings—the
Senate is on one side of the Capitol (north) and the House on
the other (south). When in doubt, ask. Pay attention to NW and
SW as compared to NE and SE on the street names. There is a
reason for them.
N - NCLB: This should be your number one topic of
conversation—in regard to how the law is being implemented in
your district.
O - ON TIME: If your appointment is at 2:00, give yourself
enough time to get there 15 minutes early. There is no excuse
for being late, so be on time! Don’t plan on a three hour visit.
Plan to stay 10-30 minutes.
P - PREPARATION: Know what you want to say, and come with facts
about your district and how the students in your district are
being affected by federal education programs – especially NCLB.
Q - QUESTIONS: You may want to ask your legislator some
questions about her/his views on certain aspects of education.
Listen carefully. The legislator is representing you and/or the
families in your district.
R - RELAX: Don’t be nervous, scared, or intimidated. These folks
work for you, but be respectful.
S - SUCCESS STORIES: You can’t beat this one. Naturally,
lawmakers want to know that what they put into place is making a
difference. Tell them what is happening in your district and
state. Bring evidence of your success stories – data, charts,
photographs.
T - TOUR: There are many tours to take in our nation’s capital,
but the most important one is the tour of the Capitol. Your
meeting will be in one of the office buildings, so don’t leave
without a tour of the Capitol.
V - VISION: Go to DC prepared to help your legislator develop a
vision for education in the coming months. Education issues are
NOT at the top of every legislator’s priority list. It is part
of your job to make sure that Education is part of the Vision.
W - WASHINGTON DC: It’s our nation’s capital, and sometimes it
seems as if this city is the center of the universe. March is
springtime with tulips and cherry blossoms getting ready to pop
up. Just think of the history in this city!
X - EXIT: Know when to leave, but make sure that you leave your
X—your business card and how to contact you for additional
information!
Y - YOU: This visit is not about YOU, so don’t have your
feelings hurt if you meet with a legislative staffer—which you
probably will. Staffers know what is going on, and they often
have a lot of influence with their boss, the legislator. Treat
these folks with respect just as you would the Senator or
Representative.
Z - ZOO: Is Washington a zoo? If you think it is, remember it is
your Zoo, so any changes are up to you and your fellow voters!
Go to web page for why you need to be there...
This newsletter was prepared by: Elizabeth Pinkerton
If you are in an unaffiliated state, contact me
elizabeth.pinkerton@frontiernet.net
if you need
additional information.
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here for printable version in .pdf format.
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