How Can STEM Teachers Become Effective, Impartial Voices in Public - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

How Can STEM Teachers Become Effective, Impartial Voices in Public Policy? Co-organized by National Academies Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) California Teacher Advisory Council (CalTAC) @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Organizers and Speakers Susan Hackwood, PhD (Executive Director, CCST) ● Andy Kotko (Chair, California Teacher Advisory Council, CCST) ● Jay Labov, PhD (Director, Teacher Advisory Council, National ● Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) Sarah Brady, PhD (Senior Program Associate, CCST) ● Herb Brunkhorst, PhD (Professor Emeritus, CSU San Bernardino) ● This session made possible through a grant from the Gordon and ● Betty Moore Foundation. @CCSTorg @theNASEM @MooreFound #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Our Interest in Policy Training for STEM Teachers ● The National Academies (NASEM) serves as the Nation’s independent scientific advisory body, responding to questions and requests from Federal policymakers. ● The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) serves the same function for California. ● We each cultivate an advisory council of STEM teachers (TACs), which convenes to discuss emerging issues facing STEM and their implications for public policy. @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Why Get Training in Public Policy? 1. Increase your understanding of how policies affecting the classroom are set or influenced. 2. Learn how to analyze proposed rules for implications and consequences — then effectively communicate your perspective as an advisor or as an advocate. 3. Become a more informed teaching professional and citizen. @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Our Broader Goals ● Strengthening teacher voices and cultivating future leaders requires helping teachers learn how to engage the policymaking process. ● So, we want to test ideas and gain feedback towards designing policy leadership programs that would benefit STEM teachers. @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Session Plan 1. Mini Lessons: a. “Framing the Federal Policy Landscape” b. “Engaging the State Policy Process” c. “Understanding Advice Versus Advocacy” 2. Breakout Discussion: “What Would You Want Out of a Policy Leadership Program?” >> SESSION HANDOUTS: http://ccst.us/caltac/nsta17session << @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Mini-Lessons Jay Labov, PhD Director, Teacher Advisory Council National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Sarah Brady, PhD CCST Senior Program Associate and Former Legislative Director for California State Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Teacher Leadership Opportunities at the Federal Level Jay Labov, PhD

Congressional Oversight of Education • Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions • Subcommittee on Children and Families • Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety • House Committee on Education and the Workforce • Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development

Federal Contributions to K-12 Education • Because of the 10 th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, responsibility for education is vested to the states. • Of $1.15 trillion spent nationally for all purposes on K-12 education, the Federal Government contributes about 8% of all costs through various agencies. • Federal funds are distributed to states and school districts through formula funding (e.g., block grants) and competitive grants. • Amounts distributed vary widely across states. Sources: https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/fed/role.html http://www.edcentral.org/edcyclopedia/school-finance/

Sources of Federal Funding Source: http://www.edcentral.org/edcyclopedia/school-finance/

The Maze of STEM Education in the Executive Branch • A 2012 GAO report* cited 209 programs for STEM spread across 13 federal departments and agencies, and overlaps in 83% of them (although many are not duplicative). • Range within agencies is 3-46 programs. • One-third of agencies spent less than $1 million; some spent more than $100 million • HHS and NSF administer more than half of these programs. • Limited use of performance measures at time of report. Source: http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/587839.pdf

Recent Federal Initiatives in STEM Education • $1 billion in private investment for improving STEM education as part of the Educate to Innovate campaign. • Preparing 100,000 new math and science teachers by 2021 (PCAST report, 100Kin10) • STEM incorporated into the priorities of the Department of Education through Race to the Top competition. Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2016/02/11/stem-all (Feb. 11 2016)

Recent Federal Initiatives in STEM Education • 350 commitments from college and university leadership and others to provide pathways for underrepresented students to attain STEM degrees. • White House Science Fair to honor young people using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to improve their communities and the world. • Investment of $3.0 billion across 14 Federal agencies for dedicated STEM education programs proposed in President Obama’s final budget. Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2016/02/11/stem-all (Feb. 11 2016)

Proposed Areas for Investment in STEM in President Obama’s Final Budget Proposal: (1) Improving STEM teaching and supporting active learning (2) Expanding access to rigorous STEM courses, and (3) Addressing bias and expanding opportunities for underrepresented students in STEM. Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2016/02/11/stem-all (Feb. 11 2016)

Engaging the State Policy Process: A California Example Sarah Brady, PhD

How a Bill Becomes a Law: CA State Assembly Example Assembly Assembly Committees Floor Governor BILL vetoes, or signs into LAW Senate Senate Committees Floor

Key Steps in the Bill Process A Bill Idea Can Come From Anyone: Governors and citizens all can ● propose bill ideas, but a legislator must author and carry the bill. Committees and Calendars Are Key: Committee staff analyze bills ● and recommend necessary amendments. Committee hearings allow Members to consider expert testimonies and see list of supporters. Legislature imposes deadlines on when bills must leave committees. Governor Has Final Say: After being approved by both chambers of ● the Legislature, the governor can still veto the bill. @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Where Advice or Advocacy Can Shape Outcomes Bill Proposal: Legislators often author bills based on public sentiment ● or organization lobbying. Committees and Amendments: A bill in committee is under great ● scrutiny. Committee staff write bill analyses to point out implications and recommend amendments, often calling on expert input. Letters of support and hearing testimonies can sway committee votes. Looking Down the Line: Bill authors also look to major lobbies and ● the governor for hints on future support or opposition. @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Politics and Intangibles Does This Make Me Look Bad? Politicians look out for how an ● action affects their image and career. They consider “the optics” when deciding to show up at a rally, side with a lobby, vote on a bill, etc. Do We Need to Pay for It? Make sure you know whether a proposed ● policy requires financing or affects the government budget and taxes. This triggers fiscal negotiations and processes. Maybe Next Time? Legislators may ignore certain issues during any ● given legislative year/cycle, due to personal priorities or influence of party leadership, and limits on bills they are allowed to carry. @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Advice for Talking with Policymakers Decide on 1-3 Main Takeaways: What are key points you would like ● the policymaker to remember? Why should they care about what you have to say, and can you tell a compelling story that resonates with their interests in under 3 minutes? Do Your Homework: Are you meeting with a Member or their staffer? ● What district do they represent, and what are their main issue areas? Prepare a One-Pager: Create a simple handout with your main ● takeaways, numbers/figures, and your contact information. @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy

Advice Versus Advocacy: Language, Formats, and Optics Sarah Brady, PhD

Pro-Tips for Communicating ADVICE 1. Tell a Story from the Real World: Convey the implications of proposed laws through your individual context as a teacher. 2. Provide Data: Give examples of how a particular policy might affect you in terms of dollars, hours, and other numbers. 3. Think Like a Policy Analyst: Spell out consequences under alternative scenarios. Present likely outcomes given Policy A, Policy B, or “No Change” using yourself or classroom/school as example. @CCSTorg @theNASEM #NSTA17 #WhyLearnPolicy