Although our students are on summer vacation, most of our federal policymakers, state legislators, parents, and concerned citizens are not!  The summer months are a great time to share your views and information on literacy education (see NCTE's Legislative Platform for the policies the Council is focusing on as it tries to influence federal education policy).  Here are five things you can do this summer (and some helpful tips to get you started):

1. Send an email to your member of Congress (or meet with your legislators while they're in their home offices this summer) to share your views on national education issues.
   
2. Schedule a visit with your local congressional representative to talk about a local education issue.
   
3. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper highlighting the great work being done by teachers and students in your local schools.
   
4. Pitch a story about an outstanding local teacher or program for your newspaper's back to school issue.
   
5. Visit a local organization that is involved in supporting education and talk about the importance of teachers and families working together to further children's literacy development.

» » »  Bonus:  Listen to the free archive of NCTE's "Advocacy for the Everyday Teacher" Web seminar (this file is similar to a movie file; just open the file and the seminar will play).

Tell us your story!  What issue did you discuss with your legislator?  What was the result?  What advice do you have for NCTE leaders?

Mark your calendars for next year's Literacy Education Advocacy Day:  Thursday, April 23, 2009!


Personal Opinion Papers:

• In Look Around. What Can You Do? SLATE Newsletter editor Fred Barton tells us that "small acts like speaking out at faculty meetings, with neighbors, to groups like the PTA, or by writing letters to the editor, can have a cumulative effect.  We can’t all testify before Congress, or lead a demonstration on the state legislature," Barton continues, "but, even so, we are not absolved from our responsibilities to do what we can to advocate for the students in our charge." Barton also reminds us that individual acts of resistance can have meaning, by introducing us to a teacher and a parent who refuse to subject their students and children to state high-stakes tests.
  
  

Critical Policy Resources
NCTE's Action Center and the Latest Action Alerts
NCTE's Anti-Censorship Center
NCTE Position Statements
NCTE Policy Collections
NCTE Executive Committee Strategic Governance Policies (see "Strategic Governance" at the bottom of the page)
SLATE Website (archives of past SLATE newsletters, SLATE Starter Sheets, and other SLATE-related resources)
Congress.org (to find your elected representatives)

Contribute to SLATE 
Your donation to SLATE will help us to implement and publicize the policies adopted by NCTE, to support NCTE's anti-censorship work, and to influence public attitudes and policy decisions affecting the teaching of English language arts at local, state, and national levels.

Donations can be made through the NCTE online store or by using the donation form (fax it to 217-278-3761 or mail it to SLATE, c/o NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd. Urbana, IL 61801-1096).

NCTE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Donations received by December 31 may be deducted from your income taxes for that year.

• seeks to influence public attitudes and policy decisions affecting the teaching of English language arts at local, state, and national levels;
• seeks to implement and publicize the policies adopted by the National Council of Teachers of English; and
• serves as NCTE's intellectual freedom network, providing support for those facing censorship challenges.

Every NCTE member will receive SLATE updates on a regular basis, will have an opportunity to participate in SLATE campaigns, and will occasionally be invited to support SLATE through voluntary contributions.

SLATE Update is distributed by email by the National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096; 800-369-6283. This online newsletter is mailed to you at the email address NCTE has on file for you. In it you'll find articles and information on and about issues that affect the teaching of the English language arts. If you would like NCTE to have a different email address on file for you, please email slate@ncte.org.  If you do not wish to receive future SLATE emails, please send an email to slate@ncte.org.  If you have trouble viewing this email, read this issue online.

Share These Materials
SLATE Newsletters are offered as resources for dealing with current issues affecting the teaching of English language arts. Reproduce these materials and use them to help promote better understanding of the goals of English teaching.  Email this issue to a friend!

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Copyright 2008 National Council of Teachers of English