government relations Advocacy in Action Brad Schneider, WMEA State Chair, Government Relations
Pol i t ical events seem to be moving at a presto tempo lately. I am writing this article in mid- February and care- fully picking topics that I hope will still have relevance in April.
NAfME Webinar: Federal Landscape of Education After the Inauguration NAfME hosted a webinar on February 8 titled Federal Landscape of Education After the Inauguration. The webinar covered a wide range of topics and how the new administration may ap- proach them. A webinar synopsis can be found at
wmeamusic.org/wsm-magazine/ federallandscapewebinar. Embedded in the synopsis is the link to the PowerPoint presentation from NAfME.
WMEA Drive-In Day Report
Also on February 8, WMEA coordinated with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for our first Drive-In Day to the State Capitol. We held meet- ings with over 30 legislators and discussed
“…‘Well-Rounded Education’ is more than a ‘feel good’ phrase. It appears almost 20 times in ESSA and could be considered a foundational element of the new law.”
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the rollout of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and how its language differs from No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In a nutshell, our “ask” centered on replac- ing the term “Core Academic Subjects” (NCLB language) with “Well-Rounded Education” (ESSA language). Without getting too deep into the weeds here, “Well-Rounded Education” is more than a “feel good” phrase. It appears almost 20 times in ESSA and could be considered a foundational element of the new law.
Writing Successful Op-Eds, Letters to the Editor and Letters to Legislators As we have heard said, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.” Legislators regularly report that written notes have the big- gest impact on issue before them. With special thanks to the Progressive Media Project, here are nine effective writing fundamentals to follow when writing op- eds or letters.
1. Length matters. Papers and other media typically have word count limits. Letters to the editor are best at 150 words or less.
2. Write a strong lead (opening sentence). Most editors and readers will only read the first couple of sentences to decide if a piece merits their attention. The simplicity and directness of your lead is very important. The lead should convey two things: your subject and your point of view.
3. Establish the relevance of your topic. Be aware of the question in every reader’s mind, “Why should I care?” You need to show that you have something of value to say. Reference the news connection that makes your subject relevant and topical.
4. Write about what you know and reflect your position of authority. Some of the best op-eds and letters draw on the writer’s personal experience and use the “I” word. However, avoid “I think such and such.”
5. State your case. Present a small number of arguments that support your position, probably no more than three. Be sure they are clear and separate points. Structural use of bullet points or the words “next,” “also,” “moreover” can help the logical flow.
6. Deflate opposing arguments. Briefly rebut the counter-arguments to your position, especially if they are well known or familiar. Render these counter-arguments accurately but point out their weaknesses.
7. Keep it simple. Don’t deal with multiple issues or introduce new subject matter late in the piece. Stick to your main point.
8. End on a strong note. If the lead is your chance to grab a reader, the ending is where you can leave a lasting impression. Try to appeal to a reader’s higher values. Make him or her feel good about agreeing with you.
9. Review before submitting. Check your facts and read the piece several times in search of errors. Have someone else read it too. If you need prior approval, like from members of a group, do so before submitting.
Brad Schneider recently retired from teaching instrumental music at Middleton High School. Email:
brad.schneider102@
gmail.com
April 2017
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