Kathleen Barker Executive Director of Special Education, Oakland Schools Abby Allen Special Education Consultant, Oakland Schools Policy Making in Education; How to Influence the Influencer

Participants will...  better understand the relationship between politics, policy and interest and how leadership organizations can effect policy development and implementation;  gain deeper knowledge surrounding the key players who drive policy formation and adoption; and  be introduced to the Michigan Educational Policy and Fellowship Program (EPFP) Learning Outcomes:

Today's Context  POLICY, POLITICS AND INTERESTS

 Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy allows eligible citizens to participate equally—either directly or through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self- determination. Democracy

VUCA

“A changing landscape” =  Volatile  Uncertain  Complex  Ambiguous  Vision  Understanding  Clarity  Agility VUCA

 Good Policy, Good Politics  Good Policy, Bad Politics  Bad Policy, Good Politics Policy and Politics

 It will produce a measurable and positive outcome (good policy)  No one is expected to criticize you, write negative letters to the editor, send negative s, etc. (good politics) Good Policy/Good Politics

 Will not get the outcome you want. (bad policy)  People will have a positive response. (good politics) Bad Policy/Good Politics

 The proposed intervention will lead to a measurable and positive outcome. (good policy)  You will be criticized; negative letters to the editor will appear; you will pay some kind of political price for advocating or supporting the proposal. (bad politics) Good Policy/Bad Politics

 Legislative Alerts  Bill Pages  HELP Committee  MAASE LAC and Legislative & Finance Committee Reports and/or alerts  CASE How do I know what to pay attention to?

Ask yourself……  Whose bill is it?  Is there more than one current bill proposal addressing this same issue?  What patterns do you see?  Who and how will this impact?  Are there unintended consequences? How do I make sense of a bill?

Acting as an Individual  Principles  Belief System  Values  Vision  Knowledge  Past Experience  MAASE Platform and Priorities and Positions  CASE Positions  Your district’s Board of Education and Supt. Positions What do I want to see happen? Acting on Behalf of a Group

WHO DO I NEED TO INFLUENCE?

 Representatives?  Senators?  How do they function?  As a delegate- representing their district’s views?  As a trustee- advocating for their personal beliefs?  As a politico- more interested in maintaining office?  Legislator vs. Aide?  Advocates for and against?  The Doers and Thinkers behind the introduction of the bill? WHO in this case is the Influencer?

 Be there  Be informed  Be able to count  Don’t be intimidated  Don’t take no for an answer  Follow through Making It Happen- Six Steps

 Numbers  Coalitions  Unity  Positions  Knowledge  Relationships  Voting  Use of the media  Money  The internet Forms of Power

story Tell a story Use data Public Hearings Tweet Face-to- Face Use Ambiguity Use Metaphors Synecdoche

Where/How do I Learn More?

 MAASE  CASE Educational Seminar  EPFP

 The Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) is a 10 month in- service professional development program for emerging and mid-level leaders. These professionals work in public, non-profit, and private sector organizations, but they all share the same professional passion: education.

 Assess Leadership Styles  Understand Strategic Leadership  Explore the importance of communication  Dialogue with influential policy figures  Simulate the political process of running for a public office  Participate in a Professional Learning Team  Network with other fellows from your state as well as other states EPFP Opportunities:

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” -John F. Kennedy

EPFP Commitment: Monday afternoons twice a month Two full days one in fall and one in spring Pennsylvania Trip Washington D.C. Trip $2,500

 EPFP  CASE  CEC  MAASE Kathleen Barker Abby Allen Where to get more information: