Off to Washington D.C.!

This week I was approached by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators to attend a federal advocacy campaign in Washington D.C. from September 16th to the 19th.  It is a true honor to accept this invitation and I look forward to representing rural Minnesota in Washington D.C. as well as our District.

When one thinks of federal advocacy each should consider what role the federal government plays in education.  Although the states hold authority over the educational priorities, the federal government does play a critical role.  Some of the items the federal government has interest in are the following:

1. Special Education - In 1975 Congress enacted the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) to ensure that children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE), just like other children.
2. Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - In 1965 Lyndon B. Johnson passed this bill to fight the war on poverty.  Programs assimilated with ESEA are Title I and Rural Education.
3. Free and Reduced Lunch Program (FRP) - This law allows families an opportunity to purchase lunches at a reduced price or receive them for free based on income.
4. Others - Although the three above are the most prevalent, there are some other programs of importance.

All in all, the state government and local population are the majority when it comes to supporting education.  However, the federal government does provide a portion of our funding.  It is my goal to ensure rural Minnesota is represented well in Washington D.C.  It is my hope that our advocacy efforts will have a positive impact on our learning organization.

While in Washington D.C., I will do my best to post information on Facebook, Twitter and our District Blog.  Stay tuned...