April 25, 2005
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Kellogg Center, MSU

This session will explore in-depth a current K-12 education policy issue and determine how public advocacy has and can influence policy development. The selected policy issue will be examined through several "lenses."  This session was developed by the Advocacy & Public Policy: Considering Systemic Change in K-12 Education Learning Team.

EPFP Learning Team Members:

• Jan Ellis
• Cynthia Farrell
• Ruth Anne Hodges
• Valerie Hughes
• Tom Johnson
• Bruce Umpstead
• Laurie Van Egeren
• Lynnette Vandyke

Agenda

• 12:45 p.m. Introductions – Lynnette VanDyke, English Language Arts Consultant, Office of School Improvement, Michigan Department of Education
   
• 1:00 p.m. Advocacy Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Models
  • Bruce Umpstead, Director of Operations and Special Projects, PROM/SE Project, Michigan State University
  • Laurie Van Egeren, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Outreach & Engagement, Michigan State University
     
• 1:45 p.m. Reflecting on the Effects of Advocacy in Proposal A Initiative
  • Introductions – Tom Johnson, Director of Technology, Manistee County School Management Cooperative
  • Jan Ellis, Manager of Communications, Office of School Improvement, Michigan Department of Education
  • Presenter – Jeff McAlvey, McAlvey & Associates
  • Presenter – Al Short, Michigan Education Association
     
• 2:40 p.m. Break
   
• 2:50 p.m. The Role of Advocacy in Current Education Funding Debate
  • Introductions – Lynnette VanDyke
  • Ms. Valencia Hughes, Executive Director, Instructional Improvement & Special Services, Pontiac City School District
  • Presenter – Richard Studley, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
  • Presenter – Don Wotruba, Director of Legislative Affairs, Michigan Association of School Boards
     
• 3:45 p.m. Break
   
• 4:00 p.m. Mock Advocacy Exercise
  • Cynthia G. Farrell, Program Manager for Adult Services & HIV/AIDS, Bureau of Adult & Family Services, Michigan Family Independence Agency
  • Ruth Anne Hodges, Mathematics Education Consultant, Office of School Improvement, Michigan Department of Education
     
• 4:45 p.m. Report out and Wrap Up

Resources

• Proposal A Background
• Advocacy Toolkit from the International Society for Technology in Education
• Advocacy in Action (PDF)
• Proposal A, A Retrospective (PDF)
• Biographies of Speakers (Word)
• What is Advocacy (PowerPoint)

Additional Resources

• Senate Bill 246 - Mandate Minimum Annual School Aid Funding Increase House Bill 4582 - Mandate Minimum Annual School Aid Funding Increase House Bill 4579 - Increase School Aid to Declining Districts
• House Bill 4575 - Expand Allowable School "Sinking Fund" Uses