The NCTE Literacy Education Advocacy Calendar lists possibilities large and small, from some you can do in the wee hours of the morning between grading papers to others you must do in our nation's capitol. Please take a moment to find that one little thing you can do.

NCTE has been working in Washington, DC, to influence federal education policy. In fact, this is the third year NCTE members have developed a legislative platform to guide the Council's efforts in the federal policy arena. Read The NCTE 2008 Legislative Platform: A Blueprint for Change by NCTE Executive Director Kent Williamson to learn why NCTE has a platform and how that platform is developed.

You can do the important work of personally talking to legislators or their aides when you attend Literacy Education Advocacy Day on April 17 in Washington, DC. A morning briefing by legislative staffers will prepare you for afternoon meetings with legislators on the Hill and a late afternoon gathering to debrief the day's experiences.

Note that while there are many ways to help policymakers understand the work and expertise of literacy educators, there are things NCTE and its constituent groups can't do when it comes to advocacy. Election Year Update: What NCTE and Its Constituent Groups Can and Cannot Do When Advocating for Our Professional Community sums these up.

Along with efforts to influence federal education policy, NCTE advocates at the school and district level for the students' right to read. The second quarter's Censorship Challenge Report describes NCTE's anti-censorship efforts during October, November, and December 2007.

Every day valiant educators and community members devote themselves to protecting intellectual freedom. The NCTE/SLATE Intellectual Freedom Award National Award is designed to recognize and honor individuals, groups, or institutions for advancing the cause of intellectual freedom. Please make nominations by the May 1 deadline.

Ken Flowerday of Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, Nebraska, describes one little thing he did in support of literacy education in his Personal Opinion Paper: Workin’ at the Mill.

Join NCTE in celebrating Literacy Education Advocacy Month by doing just one little thing to share your expertise about literacy education.


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 Newsletter 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.

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Copyright 2008 National Council of Teachers of English