Teachers have a variety of channels—and a range of potential partners—to help advocate for change in education policy, especially at the state and local levels. Stakeholders who can help leverage change in your community include:

• Policymakers
• Lawmakers
• Community leaders
• Nonprofit organizations
• Foundations

No single channel or lever will bring about reform in isolation. It is important to identify ways to build alliances and partnerships across stakeholders, decision makers and influential individuals in your community who have the most potential to help you achieve your goal. In addition, remember to do your homework. You may find that while some key decision makers or influentials don’t agree with you immediately, you may find common ground by understanding the history and breadth of their positions.

Finally, remember that change rarely happens all at once. Building relationships and familiarity with these influentials takes time, and persuading them of your ideas [link to the Create Plan page in the Advocacy Cycle Toolkit] can be a gradual process. Remember that even if your initial work as an advocate only serves to lay the groundwork for future changes, or makes incremental progress, these achievements are still important first steps toward realizing your goals.

Local
Local organizations and individuals drive education policy locally. Learn more >

State
Governors, boards of education and others influence education policy at the state level, Learn more >

National
Congress and other players influence education policy nationally. Learn more >

Better understand governments’ roles in education policymaking. Learn more >

Download the complete Levers of Change tool.