RRCNA Advocacy Update - October, 2008

Dear RRCNA Members:

New! RRCNA has two new advocacy resources for use with elected and appointed officials:

1. Reading Recovery: A Guide for Decision Makers: Describes the impact of Reading Recovery and provides action steps for State and federal lawmakers, superintendents, board members, administrators and others that play a role in setting spending and policy priorities for education. It is available on the RRCNA website at:
    
2. Reading Recovery: A Guide for Governors: Governors play a crucial role in setting spending and policy priorities for education in each state and the guide can enhance communications and advocacy with governors, chief state school officers and other state education policymakers:

In other news:

1. Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear features Reading Recovery and the University of Kentucky Training Center on her website. Congratulations to Kentucky advocates and thanks to the First Lady for making education a priority.
    
2. The Education Week debate between presidential campaign advisors Lisa Graham Keegan (McCain) and Linda Darling Hammond (Obama) included spirited discussions of teacher quality, funding and resources, assessments and access to higher education. See the 90-minute event at Columbia University.
    
3. The U.S. Senate reconvenes for a post-election session the week of November 17, 2008. The House of Representatives may very likely follow suit.
    
4. Don’t forget to VOTE on November 4, 2008.
    
5. Swearing in for the 111th Congress is January 5, 2009.
    
6. The Presidential Inauguration is January 20, 2009.