TASB Publishes Its Newest Toolkit To Amplify Public Education Support
A Toolkit for Community Advocacy: A Guide To Amplify Public Education Support was developed on the premise that all school boards can positively influence public education policies at the state level through grassroots advocacy. This work has been a collaboration between TASB and Smith Advocacy, founded by Dr. Michelle Smith. The outcome is an innovative step-by-step guide to building community support for public education using collaborative and engaging activities.
“We’re very excited to offer this resource for our members,” said Dan Troxell, TASB executive director. “This new publication is the fourth in our toolkit series and is the result of visionary leadership by the TASB Board of Directors, which really wanted to support boards in building confidence and expertise in the area of advocacy. It’s designed support members with advocacy, no matter their level of experience, and is customizable to the needs of every school community.”
Source of Ideas
The guide offers seven steps that trustees and their school boards can use as they chart their district’s advocacy goals and priorities. The steps may be followed in any order with the goal that each school board determine their own advocacy journey based on the unique needs of their districts.
“With more than 1,000-member school boards across the state, we know there aren’t any one-size solutions that work for everyone,” said TASB President Rolinda Schmidt, who serves on the Kerrville ISD board. “That’s why it was important that this guide serve as a source of ideas and inspiration, especially as we all prepare for the 89th Legislative Session. We know there is nothing more important right now than sharing all the successes and challenges facing our school districts in Texas.”
Schmidt thanked Immediate Past President Armando Rodriguez for spearheading the community advocacy project during his time as TASB president. “He kept the focus on this project and the importance of building capacity for advocacy at the local level,” Schmidt said.
How To Get It
Each member school board will be receiving eight copies of the printed toolkit, expected to arrive in early December. Additionally, members can extend their advocacy learning with complementary, online resources and activities, as well as access a digital copy of the toolkit (TASB login required). Trustees are encouraged to share their advocacy activities online using #txed.