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Making the Case
Feel free to use the information and sample documents below as you communicate with community leaders, legislatures and colleagues to make your case for immersion and professional development programs. For additional information and resources, please also take the time to visit the Immersion Leadership Documents and the Professional Development Leadership Documents. Making the Case to Policymakers Policymakers include government officials (e.g. legislators, state education agency leaders, and state school board members). These leaders represent constituents’ interests on the local, regional, state, and national levels and are in the position to drive policies and funding that directly affect educational technology programs. Policymakers are extremely busy—multiple stakeholders constantly compete for their time. When meeting with policymakers, plan your meeting carefully. Focus on a short presentation that illustrates your objectives and provide examples of success stories with compelling data. Ask for specific actions to support your program and volunteer to assist the policymaker in moving your objectives forward. Lastly and most important, make sure that policymakers view you as an expert in educational technology. Your overall goal should be to develop relationships with policymakers where you are viewed as a consistent, trusted information resource for issues concerning educational technology. Tips for Working with Legislators - Find the Right Legislators:
- Spend time and effort on legislators who have power. Meet with legislators on the:Appropriations committee, Budget/Finance committee, Education committee, Technology/Business committee
- Consider new legislators who may have an interest in education, technology, and/or global competitiveness issues
- Build Relationships with Legislators.
- Meet regularly with legislators
- Bring a teacher, student or parent to these meetings
- Develop a relationship with office staff and let them know how you can help
- Provide legislators with success stories backed by research
- Invite the legislator to visit schools showcasing technology
- Invite the legislator to meet with community leaders and parents
- Monitor Upcoming Bills that affect Educational Technology
- Provide legislative language, if appropriate
- Solicit direct support from legislators:
- Co-sponsor bill
- Dear Colleague letter
- Encourage community leaders, parents, and teachers to send letters in support of legislation
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Making the Case to Community Leaders Community leaders are extremely busy and are involved in many policy areas affecting the community, not just education. When meeting with community leaders, plan your meeting carefully. Focus on a short presentation that illustrates your objectives and provide examples of success stories with compelling data. Ask for specific actions to support your program and volunteer to assist the community leader in moving your objectives forward. Specific points to consider for the meeting: Know your audience - determine what appeals to your community leader Set the stage – explain how technology plays a key role in improving instruction, raising student achievement, and increasing student engagement
Address the concerns that the use of computers with Internet access, iPods, cell phones, and database information can be intimidating for teachers, principals, and parents Explain why you are meeting with them and what you want to accomplish
Construct a systemic immersion proposal aimed at improving student achievement Construct a systemic professional development proposal aimed at improving teacher quality, and thus student achievement Show you understand the current priorities or vital needs of your community and explain how your program addresses those needs. Give facts and statistics to support the types of initiatives you are proposing
Lastly, thank them for their continued support for public education
Back to Top Making the Case to State Colleagues Meeting with state colleagues that are interested an educational technology, such as Media/Library specialists, technology specialists, curriculum specialists, math and science specialists, reading specialists can help your cause. Take the time to set-up meetings and share your wealth of knowledge. Things to consider as you meet with state colleagues include:
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State Educational Technology Directors Association