Education Advocacy: An Introduction and an Invitation

Something happened in Albany on the spring morning of March 4, 2010.  Teachers took to the streets. Dressed in red to protest the red ink of the state budget deficit in Sacramento, they were joined by staff members, parents and students at every school site to "Start the Day for Students." Their presence was a visible demonstration of the commitment Albany residents have for our schools.

These people were acting as advocates for education – speaking up in favor of the excellent public education children in Albany, and all of California, deserve.

They recognized how tenuous the funding for our schools is, and they let legislators in Sacramento know they are watching what is happening in education. Supported by the California State PTA, this statewide Day of Action to Defend Public Education was a way to highlight the need for our state to invest in children and education.

Albany is fortunate. Again and again, voters have supported parcel taxes and contributed to fundraising organizations to bring badly needed funds to schools. But improving schools will take continuing support and awareness – plus action.

Advocates for Education

What does it mean to be an education advocate? The answer is simple. Being an advocate means speaking up and making sure your opinion is known. Sometimes an advocate may speak for those who have a hard time making their voices heard by those in power. Adults can help the 3,800 children in Albany, and the nine million children in California, get the attention of lawmakers in Sacramento through advocacy work.

Who can be an advocate?

You can! Anyone who cares about Albany public schools can take action right now to speak up for excellent public education in Albany. In as little as five minutes, you can make your voice heard – right from your kitchen table – through an e-mail, letter or phone call to your representatives telling them to fight hard for education.

In future Advocating from Albany columns, I will give you more detailed ideas on how to turn some of these suggestions in to actions, and I will keep you updated on state legislation that will have direct impact on the quality of public education in Albany. I invite you to join me on this journey to make public education great in Albany, as well as in California.

Where to Start

Do you know who your representatives are and how to reach them? Albany Patch has it all right here.

• Assemblymember Nancy Skinner
• Senator Loni Hancock
• Congresswoman Barbara Lee
• U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
• U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
• Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson