During the annual 2020 NASSP Advocacy Conference, hundreds of principals, administrators, teachers, and other advocates from across the country storm the Washington, D.C., metro area to fight for better education—and you don’t want to miss it.

Taking place March 23–25 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA, this conference provides a platform for school leaders and their supporters to speak directly with policymakers in a unified voice on behalf of critical education issues. Over the course of three days, attendees will engage in valuable networking opportunities with their peers and establish lasting connections with policymakers. Plus, attendees receive hands-on training that will equip them with the know-how to have meaningful conversations with their legislators—all in preparation for the conference’s Capitol Hill Day on Wednesday, March 25.

What’s more, panel discussions featuring national education policy experts will lead conference attendees through the hottest topics in the education landscape and provide an open floor for thought-provoking questions, discussions, and action plans. Take a look at a few of the featured sessions taking place on Tuesday, March 24, for a sneak peek at the agenda:

  • Joint NASSP and NAESP Advocacy Program and Capitol Hill Day Prep
    In joint programming with NAESP, K–12 school leaders will come together to discuss federal policy with leading national education experts; receive training for the Capitol Hill Day on Wednesday, March 25; and coordinate individual state strategy for meetings with members of Congress and their staff.
  • Title II: Advocating for the Top Federal Policy Priority of School Leaders
    Policy experts will cover how to navigate where Title II dollars, which are spent in school districts to support professional development for school leaders and educators, You’ll learn how you can advocate with district leaders for professional development funding and also how to communicate the importance of this Every Student Succeeds Act program to lawmakers.
  • Advocating for State Education Policy
    The majority of policy for our nation’s schools is made in state capitals. Attendees in this session will discuss specific advocacy tactics and strategy for influencing state lawmakers to help ensure school leaders have a voice in their state legislature. Topics will include coalition building, how to set up an advocacy day at your state capital, and ideas for contacting your state representatives. Expert presenters will share their success stories from several marquee legislative victories in recent years and explain how the lessons they learned can be applied in your state.
  • Taking Congress to School: Inviting Lawmakers and Influencers for Shadowing Visits
    Inviting lawmakers to your school for shadowing visits provides a wonderful opportunity for officials to experience firsthand the role and responsibilities of exemplary principals. Furthermore, it provides the perfect occasion for you to highlight the excellent leadership that principals provide to schools, educators, and students around the country. Attendees in this session will discuss best practices for securing a visit with a lawmaker and how to influence their attitudes towards public education.

The NASSP Advocacy Conference is not only a chance to effect positive change for public education in the United States, but it is also an unforgettable experience filled with community and professional growth. “The Advocacy Conference is one of the most professionally rewarding experiences I have had as a school leader,” said a 2019 attendee. “NASSP provided me the tools and resources to be a powerful advocate for school leaders.”

And, registration for the conference is completely free—so you can show your strength in numbers by bringing your colleagues, friends, or anyone willing to lend their voice.

Registration is open until February 16, 2020. Register at www.nassp.org/advocate and get ready to use your voice to make an impact that matters.

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