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ASCD: A Worldwide Community of Educators

Who We Are and What We Do ASCD is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that develops programs, products, and services essential to the way educators learn, teach, and lead. Our 175,000 members are professional educators from all levels and subject areas—superintendents, principals, teachers, professors of education, and school board members. We are a worldwide leader in expert and innovative solutions in professional development, capacity building, and educational leadership.

Since its inception, ASCD has built on a core set of values and beliefs in support of the whole child. We believe student success depends on academic knowledge, physical and emotional health, engagement, and school and community support. We advocate for sound education policies and best practices to ensure that each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. ASCD as an Advocate

Become an Educator Advocate Today It only takes a minute to become an effective voice for education. When you sign up to be an ASCD Educator Advocate, we provide you with the resources to make sure your advocacy time is minimal but your influence significant. Visit to join Educator Advocates.

ASCD’s 2009 Legislative Agenda This year ASCD’s legislative agenda addresses the following education policy priorities: 1.Equitable Educational Opportunities 2.Highly Effective Educators 3.Multiple Indicators of School Success 4.Innovative Educational Redesign

Equitable Educational Opportunities Equitable access to education options and experiences— regardless of student background, socioeconomic status, race, or gender—requires adequate resources and meaningful community engagement. ASCD supports federal policies that provide all students with access to highly effective teachers; engaging and rigorous coursework; cutting-edge educational technology; and resources for strengthening schools, families, and communities.

Highly Effective Educators Each student must have highly effective teachers who elicit growth in student achievement and receive comprehensive support at all stages of their careers— from preparation and induction to ongoing professional development. ASCD calls on Congress to support approaches to the career development of educators, including their preparation, induction, mentoring, coaching, ongoing professional development, and evaluation.

Multiple Indicators of Achievement No Child Left Behind’s assessment system is much too limited to provide a complete appraisal of students’ skills or overall school quality. Congress should support an assessment system that incorporates multiple and varied indicators and analyzes student growth over time, as well as an accountability system that distinguishes among schools and districts with varying levels of performance and targets assistance where it is needed most.

Innovative Educational Redesign Innovative educational redesign should include a rich and rigorous curriculum, meaningful and relevant experiences, and relationships with caring adults who know students well. We ask Congress to support the efforts of states and districts to improve education outcomes by using research- based approaches that ensure young children are well- prepared for school, students successfully transition from the elementary to secondary grades, and high school graduates are ready for success in a global society.

Educating the Whole Child Since its inception, ASCD has built on a core set of values and beliefs in support of the whole child. We believe student success depends on academic knowledge, physical and emotional health, engagement, and school and community support. Visit ASCD’s for more information.

ASCD Resources [Include those you want to highlight.] Web site: Action Center: Advocacy Guide: Communications Tool Kit: Legislative Agenda: Whole Child Initiative: Whole Child Community Conversations Project: