Legislative Advocacy

Fall 2010 UCEA Policy Events:

In the early fall, UCEA will co-host a legislative summit with the Texas Professor of Educational Administration in Austin, Texas.  This event is designed to assist educational administration and educational policy professors, practitioners, and graduate students prepare for the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature.

• Receive updates on current K-12 and educational leadership legislative issues from House and/or Senate Education Committee members and their aids;
• Participate in legislative advocacy workshop that includes tips for working and communicating with state legislators; and
• Begin developing legislative action agenda for the upcoming session

The program also includes a networking luncheon, and you will receive a CD with materials to support you throughout the upcoming legislative year.

A full agenda will be available soon!

Why Do Faculty Need to Communicate with Public Officials?

Have you ever been frustrated about an action taken by Congress or the Department of Education?  Have you ever wanted to share your most recent research with your elected officials or civil servants?  Chances are you didn't.  Although it's everybody's right and responsibility to become involved in government, most don't.  Instead we shake our heads and complain to our colleagues and students. 

What most faculty do not seem to realize is that sharing your research or making your voice heard in Washington can be both effective and relatively easy to do.  Elected officials are very sensitive to the views of their constituents—especially to those who are thoughtful and articulate.  Faculty must remember that they are not only members of academe, they are also well informed constituents.  Constituents are the most important people in a representative's or senator's life. 

Contacting Public Officials Effective Communication Strategies Targeting Information