National Education Policy: How Can Stakeholders Engage? CEEDAR Cross-State Convening June 2017 Chicago janewestdc@gmail.com @janewest

What’s Happening in DC? The President’s FY 2018 Budget Request $9B (13%)cut Eliminates Title II ESSA $2.3B Eliminates After School $1.2B Eliminates Teacher Quality Partnership Grants $43M Eliminates Public Service Loan Forgiveness (often used by teachers) $1.25 B new choice programs FOCUS: $1B to change ESSA/Districts must have open enrollment to public school of their choice Voucher Program: $250M competitive grants for scholarships to private schools for low income students

Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act? Teacher Prep Regs gone Title II HEA Data collection TQP program State report cards State list of low performers Student Financial Aid TEACH Grants Loan Forgiveness

ESSA State Plans Titles I and II ESSA: Reform certification and prep program standards Equitable access to effective teachers Define “effective” and “experienced” teacher Recruit teachers from other fields Create Teacher and Principal Academies Hold job while in alternate route Authorized by state like charter schools No requirements for faculty credentials, # courses etc. Must offer state financial aid May consider “graduates” as having an MA

What Keeps Me Up at Night: De-professionalization of Teaching No more highly qualified ESSA defers to states/locals Pressure of shortages Low enrollment in teacher prep programs Expanded appetite for alternative routes Apprenticeships? Expanded choice: no requirements for teacher quality?

What Can Educators Do? 1) Become an active member of an organization with a strong national voice: Participate in their national activities – action alerts, Days on the Hill, monitor policy developments AACTE, CEC, AERA, NCTE, NCTM, CCSSO

2) Use Social Media TWITTER!!! NOTE: Every Member of Congress has a twitter account: FOLLOW YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Report important research findings in 140 characters! Facebook Instagram

3) Develop Relationships with Your Congressional Delegation - Stay in touch - invite the Member or staff to visit - send good news regularly - meet with them in the district/back home - attend Town Hall meetings - come to DC at least once a year and meet with them

4) Tell Your Story -how are you innovating to address critical needs? -how do you know if educator prep programs are effective? - recruit your STARS and ALLIES to speak for you/with you!

5) Use the Press Op Eds Feature stories in local papers Spread the word on KUDOS

If you’re not at the table…… You’re probably on the menu! And Remember…… If you’re not at the table…… You’re probably on the menu!