How can you use advocacy to promote policy change in your school district?

1 Identify the problem

The first step is to identify the problem that you want to address through policy change. What is the current situation, and how does it affect your students, staff, and community? What are the root causes and the consequences of the problem? How does the problem align with your district's mission, vision, and values? You need to have a clear and compelling case for why policy change is needed and what benefits it will bring.

3 Build the coalition

The third step is to build the coalition of supporters and allies for your policy change. Who are the key decision-makers and influencers in your district, such as the board, the superintendent, the administrators, the teachers, the parents, and the students? Who are the external partners and stakeholders, such as the local government, the media, the community organizations, and the experts? You need to identify and engage with these potential allies and understand their interests, concerns, and motivations.

4 Communicate the message

The fourth step is to communicate the message of your policy change to your target audiences. What are the main points and arguments that you want to convey? What are the best channels and formats to reach your audiences, such as emails, newsletters, social media, presentations, meetings, or events? What are the best strategies and techniques to persuade your audiences, such as storytelling, data visualization, testimonials, or calls to action? You need to craft and deliver a clear and consistent message that appeals to your audiences' emotions, logic, and values.

5 Mobilize the action

The fifth step is to mobilize the action of your coalition and supporters to influence the policy change. What are the specific actions that you want your supporters to take, such as signing a petition, writing a letter, attending a rally, or voting for a proposal? How will you coordinate and organize these actions, such as creating a timeline, assigning roles, providing resources, or tracking progress? How will you motivate and recognize your supporters, such as offering incentives, feedback, or appreciation? You need to inspire and empower your supporters to take collective action for your policy change.

6 Evaluate the impact

The sixth and final step is to evaluate the impact of your advocacy and policy change. What are the outcomes and results of your policy change, such as changes in student achievement, teacher retention, parent satisfaction, or community engagement? How will you measure and report these outcomes, such as using surveys, interviews, observations, or data analysis? How will you celebrate and share your successes, such as hosting a ceremony, publishing a report, or thanking your supporters? You need to assess and demonstrate the impact of your policy change and advocacy on your school district and its stakeholders.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?