AACTE Convenes 2018 Washington Week, June 3-6
(June 4, 2018, Washington, D.C.) – Teacher educators and other members from colleges and schools of education across the nation are convening June 3-6 for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) 2018 Washington Week. This national advocacy event for educator preparation, themed “Your Voice Matters,” is taking place at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, and on Capitol Hill.
“Washington Week is one of our premier programs, and AACTE is very proud to gather our colleagues and students from throughout the states to focus on policy and advocacy. I strongly encourage all of our members–administrators, faculty and staff—to attend and to make their voices heard,” said Dr. Lynn M. Gangone, president and CEO of AACTE. “Washington Week also showcases many of AACTE’s partnerships and highlights the importance of coalition and collaboration, particularly among education organizations here in Washington, to advocate for educator preparation at the federal and state levels.”
Held each June, AACTE’s Washington Week features three major components
- State Leaders Institute (June 3-4): AACTE state chapter leaders and members gather to discuss important state trends in policy and advocacy related to educator preparation. Chapter members learn from each other and identify key advocacy strategies together.
- Holmes Summer Policy Institute (June 4): Participants in the Holmes Program–an AACTE signature program that supports education students from high school through the doctoral level who are underrepresented in the academy–interact with deans and faculty members, national education policy advocates and program alumni, learning about connections across research, advocacy and policy.
- Day on the Hill (June 5-6): AACTE members head to Capitol Hill to make their voices heard directly with members of Congress and their staff. A full-day orientation and advocacy training precedes the Hill visits.
Participants include deans of schools and colleges of education, their faculty and students, local principals and educators, as well as representatives from the Education Trust, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United Negro College Fund, teacher unions, National Governors Association and National Association of Elementary School Principals, among other organizations.
At the State Leaders Institute today, the keynote address was given by Mark Keam, Virginia House of Representatives Delegate of the 35th District. Meanwhile the Holmes Summer Policy Institute featured dynamic panel discussions on the topics “Connecting Grassroots with Research: Engaging Communities in Policy Advocacy” and “Educational Policy Matters: Advocating for Students of Color.” Tomorrow’s Day on the Hill pre-sessions will feature two new tracks for attendees to choose from: Track A for those new to advocacy, or for those who wish to polish up their advocacy skills, and Track B for those with extensive experience in advocacy.
For more information, visit aacte.org and follow what’s happening on Twitter at #AACTEWW18.
Tags: AACTE partner organizations, advocacy, events, federal issues, Holmes Program, state affiliate, state policy, Washington Week
