ASCD’s Annual Event Connects the Classroom to the Capitol

Washington, D.C. (September 15, 2009)— Gerry Buteau, Roberta Tenney, Marianne True and Jan Yost of NHASCD attended the LEAP Legislative Institute, September 13 to 15, in Arlington, Va. The LEAP Institute, which is sponsored by the nonprofit educational leadership association ASCD, brings educators from across the United States to the nation’s capital to advocate for sound education policy.

The goal of the annual event is to prepare educators from all levels and subject areas—superintendents, principals, teachers, professors of education, and school board members—to advocate on Capitol Hill and at the local and state levels for policies that are best for students. This year’s event also provided participants with critical federal education policy updates on the status of education stimulus funding and pending changes to the No Child Left Behind Act.

The LEAP Institute’s speakers included Roberto Rodriquez, White House special assistant to President Obama for Education and former Chief Education aid to Senator Kennedy. Mr. Rodriquez explained that the highest interest of the Obama administration is turning around struggling schools and innovation within the schools. He stated that the administration was motivated by the reality that the United States still falls behind international measures, and as a nation we must focus on improving education in order to strengthen democracy.

On September 15th, participants in LEAP visited Capitol Hill to meet with their members of Congress and address education policy issues, including those highlighted in ASCD’s 2009 Legislative Agenda. The priorities raised with elected officials focused on the need for

• Equitable access to educational options and experiences—regardless of geography, socioeconomic status, race, or gender.
• Highly effective teachers who elicit growth in student achievement and receive comprehensive support at all stages of their careers, from preparation and induction to ongoing professional development.
• A comprehensive assessment system that incorporates multiple and varied indicators and analyzes student growth over time.
• An accountability system that discerns varying levels of performance in schools and districts and targets improvement assistance where it is needed most.
• Innovative, research-based redesign that ensures that young children are well-prepared for school, students successfully transition from the elementary to secondary grades, and high school graduates are ready for success in a global society.
While on Capitol Hill, NHASCD representatives had meetings with the following:
• Representative Shea-Porter and her Senior Legislative Assistant, Chris Hillesheim
• Allison Dembeck, Senator Judd Gregg's Legislative Assistant.
• Michael Yudin and Jessica Chau, Legislative Director and Legislative Correspondent, respectively, for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
• We were unable to secure a meeting with Representative Hodes

During each visit, there was discussion on New Hampshire's Growth Model, the use of assessment data to support making informed decisions, the reauthorization/revision of No Child Left Behind, NH's quest to apply for the "Race To The Top" stimulus funds, and examples of innovative programs that exist in New Hampshire schools.