Make it Great in 2008

As if electing a president, 35 U.S. senators, and 435 representatives isn’t enough, 11 states will elect governors, 5 will elect a chief state school officer, and thousands of state and local legislative and school board races will be decided on November 4th. Here are eight things everyone can do to make literacy a priority in the school house, the State House and the White House in 2008.

1. Surf the Internet for websites and information about office holders and other decision makers, candidates, and issues with potential to impact education in your community. You may want to start with RRCNA’s Advocacy Calendar which includes primary dates, congressional district work periods, literacy commemorative events, etc.
    
2. Sign up for free e-newsletters from your elected local, state, and federal officials.
    
3. Read your governor’s state of the state address for education initiatives. Check your governor’s website or try stateline.org.  
    
4. Blog for the latest in education policy zeitgeist. Examples of well-traveled blogs include:

• Education Week “Campaign K–12”
• Education Sector “Eduwonk”
• Education Writers Association “Education Election”

5. Share your news with stakeholders. Do you have stories of children who received Reading Recovery lessons? Reading Recovery colleagues receiving recognition for their expertise and effectiveness? An innovative collaboration between Reading Recovery and other educators? These are all great reasons to write, email, call, or otherwise contact elected officials. Host or meet at least one stakeholder this year (could be a parent, principal, administrator, school board member, state legislator, governor, member of congress, etc.). Whether observing Reading Recovery, attending a teacher graduation, or something else, seeing is believing! But because not everyone will be able to visit Reading Recovery in person, a visit to a district office, town hall meeting, or other local gathering can be just as beneficial.
    
6. Host or meet at least one stakeholder this year (could be a parent, principal, administrator, school board member, state legislator, governor, member of congress, etc.). Whether observing Reading Recovery, attending a teacher graduation, or something else, seeing is believing! But because not everyone will be able to visit Reading Recovery in person, a visit to a district office, town hall meeting, or other local gathering can be just as beneficial.
    
7. VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 4th!
    
8. Contact the Reading Recovery Council of North America for ideas, information, or assistance with advocacy, or go to the RRCNA website.
   
   

See Who's Making it Great

You can make a difference! Read examples of how others are reaching decision makers in their areas. Let us know what avenue you are taking by emailing us your story at lracher@readingrecovery.org.