School might be out, but it’s just starting for some members of Congress.
Clint Raever, principal of Toledo Jr./Sr. in Toledo, Oregon, ventured to Washington, DC in late June to meet with federal elected officials about the most pressing issues facing schools in Oregon, including the transition to the new federal education law, resources for student literacy, and greater support for the ongoing development of principals. The meetings were part of the annual Advocacy Conference for principals, conducted by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, in cooperation with the Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators.
Clint Raever visited congressional offices on Capitol Hill to meet with Educational Advisors for Rep. Greg Walden and Senator Merkley. He also met with Rep. Kurt Schrader and Senator Ron Wyden. The agenda was driven by the need for Oregon to focus efforts on implementing the new Every Student Succeeds Act, which President Obama signed in December and which takes full effect in August 2017. The law require states to use other factors in addition to standardized test scores to determine school success. The law also requires a renewed emphasis on reading and writing across the curriculum and includes language that encourages states to dedicate up to 3 percent of professional development dollars specifically for principals.
“It was an honor to represent Oregon principals in this effort,” Clint Raever said. “The conversations went very well and we have already seen some movement on the issues we discussed. I heard a speaker once say, “The further you are from the classroom, the less you know your impact.” It is important that policy makers hear the voice of practitioners so they understand the needs of our schools to better know how to make an impact.” Mr. Raever plans to maintain communication with his elected officials and meet with them during the year in their local offices.
Story by LCSD.
