From Campus to Capitol Hill

Want to make a difference in public education?
Talk to your state legislators.

"As an educator, your job is all about politics," says Michele Devereaux, Missouri-NEA Student chairperson and a senior elementary education major at Missouri Baptist University. As part of a statewide political education committee, Devereaux spent the past year urging students to register to vote. She also was one of many students who partnered with local school districts to rally for education in the state capitol.

"We're trying to get students educated on the issues when they're still in college," she says. "The curriculum, state testing, the budget—everything depends on political decisions."

Since organizing her campus NEA chapter, Devereaux says she's discovered a range of political leanings at her traditionally conservative university. She had to prepare herself for confrontations, both with professors and fellow students. "I had to do research to support myself, but I found that when people speak up for what they believe, others come out," she explains.

"They always start out very nervous," says Gail Watts, SCTA's organizer. "They don't know what to say. Some get blank stares, some get challenged. After their first meeting they get much more confident." To further smooth the way each spring, SCTA pays transportation costs and makes appointments with legislators in advance so that each student gets to visit about four offices. Then students regroup for a debriefing late in the afternoon.

Students discovered that lobbying is "all about building relationships," says Aragon. And, they also learned a thing or two about politicians: "They can do a good job of talking without answering the question," Aragon laughs. "In fact, sometimes students came out of an office unsure whether the politician supported them or not."

Overall, though, the legislators and their staffs turned out "to be really nice people, open to hearing about our experiences," she adds. "It's valuable for them to hear about an average student's life, about how tuition increases and university budget cuts are impacting us."

But lobbying isn't just a one-day event. So the SCTA newsletter keeps students in the loop with political action alerts, boiling legislation down into digestible chunks that emphasize how proposals will impact readers, both as students and as future educators. Meanwhile, the Web site gives students an easy way to e-mail legislators.

"Once students realize everything in education is determined by politics, once they make that connection, they realize the importance of getting involved—not just for their own careers, but also for the children," says Watts. "If they aren't going to advocate on behalf of a child's education, who is?"

—Mary Anne Hess

Take Action

Ready to climb those capitol steps and try your luck at lobbying? Here are some tips for having a successful meeting with your legislator.

• Be prepared. Understand your issue, the bill you support or oppose, and the legislative process before you arrive.
  Be punctual, introduce yourself, and don't overstay your allotted time.
• Be positive, professional, and polite. Never threaten, lie, or conceal facts. Stay calm and be tactful if contradicting others.
• Stay focused. Do not stray from the issue you came to discuss. Keep your message simple and say exactly what you want the legislator to know. Help your legislator understand why your position is important to constituents. You may want to designate a single speaker for your group.
• Say thanks. No matter how you feel, always thank the legislator or staff member for the meeting. Express a willingness to continue talking, to send information requested, and to commit to a future district office meeting. Leave a fact sheet or business card.
• Follow up. Send a letter of appreciation that summarizes your visit, repeats the action you want taken, and outlines any promises the legislator made.
• Stay committed. Keep fighting until you get what you and your school need. Work through grassroots organizations at home and build coalitions with other students and colleges.

Lobbying in Cyberspace

Don't forget to visit NEA's Legislative Action Center. Here you can learn about education-related issues facing Congress and find information on NEA's legislative priorities. You also can track your state senator's or representative's voting record and even send e-mail messages to your state and federal legislators. Be sure to sign up for the weekly e-mail legislative update!