Work with the governing board, district and local leaders to influence policies that benefit students and support the improvement of teaching and learning.

Collaborative policy advocacy: Educational leaders collaborate with the governing board, district administrators, and local leaders to advocate for policies that benefit students and support the continuous improvement of teaching and learning. This involves building relationships, sharing expertise, and engaging in constructive dialogue to identify priorities, set goals, and develop strategies for advancing policies that align with the needs and priorities of the school community. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, educational leaders can leverage their collective influence to advocate for policies that promote student success and enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
Influence on policy development: Educational leaders play a key role in shaping education policy by providing input, expertise, and perspectives to inform policy development processes at the local, district, and state levels. This may involve participating in policy committees, task forces, or advisory groups, attending board meetings, and advocating for specific policies or initiatives that support the improvement of teaching and learning. By actively engaging in policy development, educational leaders can ensure that the voices and interests of students, educators, and the school community are represented in decision-making processes.

To support educational leaders in this endeavor, here are some web links to relevant resources:

Policy Advocacy Organizations: Organizations such as the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) provide resources, advocacy tools, and policy briefs to support educational leaders in advocating for policies that benefit students and support the improvement of teaching and learning: NAESP Advocacy, NASSP Policy and Advocacy, ASCD Policy and Advocacy
Local Government and Education Agencies: Educational leaders can collaborate with local government officials, district administrators, and education agencies to advocate for policies that benefit students and support the improvement of teaching and learning. This may involve attending school board meetings, participating in community forums, and engaging in dialogue with elected officials and policymakers to discuss education priorities and initiatives.
Policy Research and Analysis: The Education Policy Center at the Urban Institute and the Learning Policy Institute conduct research and analysis on education policy issues, providing resources, reports, and briefs to inform policy advocacy efforts and support evidence-based policymaking: Urban Institute Education Policy Center, Learning Policy Institute Research
Professional Learning Communities: Educational leaders can participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) or networks focused on education policy and advocacy to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on policy advocacy efforts: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) PLCs, National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) PLCs, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) PLCs

By working with the governing board, district, and local leaders to influence policies that benefit students and support the improvement of teaching and learning, educational leaders can advocate for systemic changes that enhance educational opportunities, promote equity, and contribute to the success of all students.