Washington Update
Volume 8, Issue 2
Jan. -
Feb. 2006 Dear NAFEPA Members:
These are exciting days for NAFEPA! In early January, I attended a strategic
planning retreat for members of the Committee for Educational Funding. The
retreat was very productive, and I came away with a much better understanding of
how our government operates. In late January, the Executive Committee
represented NAFEPA at the National Title I Conference in Dallas, Texas. We had
our NAFEPA booth, and we were able to spend several hours planning for the
future of our association. It was great seeing so many of you there.
I was honored to be at a meeting on February 8 with Assistant Secretary of
Education, Dr. Henry Johnson. Leaders of the major professional education
organizations were brought together to identify ways we can work together to
build state capacity around school improvement. I can't begin to tell you how
excited I was to receive the invitation and to represent you with folks in state
and local education agencies who have the task of making sure that all federal
education legislation is carried out effectively.
Several weeks ago, I asked Dale Zellmer, chairperson of the legislation
committee, to write an article on how to prepare for your Capitol Hill visits on
Wednesday, March 29. Dale was able to give you much guidance on planning for the
visits with your legislators, and he did it in a very creative manner. Be sure
to read his article on pages 3 and 4.
NAFEPA has been blessed to have many outstanding people who have served as
leaders and supporters during the past 32 years. With this in mind, the
membership committee recommended that we recognize individuals who have played a
significant role in the life of NAFEPA. It is my pleasure to announce our first
inductees as Honorary and Emeritus members of NAFEPA. Honorary members are those
who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to federal education programs
and/or NAFEPA. The first Honorary Members are Mary Jean LeTendre, former
director of Title I at the USDE, and Jack Jennings, founder of the Center on
Educational Policy. Emeritus Members are retired persons who were active in the
affairs of NAFEPA and who contributed to the progress of federal education
programs. Our first Emeritus Members are Carley Ochoa, former president of
NAFEPA (California and North Carolina), Iva McCants, first treasurer of NAFEPA
(Mississippi), and Ambrosio Melendrez, former president of NAFEPA (Texas).
Additional information on these folks will be in the next newsletter.
Congratulations to all these fine folks and to our association for choosing to
recognize them for their contributions.
Very special thanks to Tonya Christianson who has been writing articles for our
newsletters. Tonya is leaving the law firm of Brustein and Manasevit and moving
to New York. We wish her and her family well! I am looking forward to seeing
many of you at our spring conference in Washington, DC on March 26-29, 2006. The
conference agenda is outstanding, and there is no better opportunity to meet and
share with fellow federal education program administrators from across the
nation. See you in DC!
Bobby Burns
President, NAFEPA
NAFEPA CONFERENCE
– MARCH 2006
MARCH 26-29, 2006—Washington DC
For all conference information go to:
http://www.nafepa.org
Here’s the
schedule of events for the conference - “Charting the Course: Implementing
NCLB.” If you have not yet registered, go to the web page and from there to
the conference registration page. Do not delay. We are filling up fast!
Sunday, March 26
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8:00 am - 9:00 pm |
Conference Registration |
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9:00 am - 11:00 am |
Board of Directors’ meeting |
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1:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Pre-Conference Workshop: Supplemental
Education Services |
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5:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
President's Reception |
Monday, March 27
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7:00 am - 5:00 pm |
Conference Registration |
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7:00 am - 8:00 am |
Continental Breakfast and Exhibits |
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8:00 am - 8:45 am |
General Session: Jackie Jackson, U.S. Department of
Education |
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8:45 am - 10:00 am |
General Session: James Comer, Yale University |
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10:00 am - 10:30 am |
Break and Exhibits |
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10:30 am - 11:45 am |
General Session: Kati Haycock, The Education Trust |
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12:00 pm - 1:45 pm |
Lunch and Awards Presentation |
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2:00 pm - 3:15 pm |
General Session: Glenn Singleton, Pacific
Educational Group |
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3:15 pm - 3:45 pm |
Break and Exhibits |
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3:45 pm - 5:00 pm |
General Session: Yvonne Caamal Canul, Michigan
Department of Education |
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5:15 pm - 6:15 pm |
Annual NAFEPA Membership Meeting |
Tuesday, March 28
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7:00 am - 5:00 pm |
Registration |
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7:00 am - 8:00 am |
Continental Breakfast and Exhibits |
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8:00 am - 9:30 am |
General Session: Deborah Pickering, Private
Consultant |
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9:30 am - 10:00 am |
Break and Exhibits |
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10:00 am - 11:15 am |
Workshops - Presenters from the U. S.
Department of Education: |
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James Evans, Bill Modzeleski, Sandy Brown, Virginia Berg, |
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11:30 am - 1:45 pm |
Lunch and General Session: Brooke Haycock, The
Education Trust |
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2:00 pm - 3:15 pm |
Workshops - Presenters from the U. S. Department
of Education: |
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Maureen Dowling, Phil Rosenfelt, Kay Rigling, Kathleen Leos,
Rich Rasa,
Scott Johnston |
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3:15 pm - 3:45 pm |
Break and Exhibits |
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3:45 pm - 5:00 pm |
Workshops - Presenters from the U. S. Department
of Education: |
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Maureen Dowling, Phil Rosenfelt, Kay Rigling, Kathleen Leos,
Rich Rasa,
Scott Johnston |
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6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
Social Hour and Dinner |
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8:00 pm - 9:30 pm |
General Session: Presenter: Jack Jennings,
Center on Education Policy |
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9:30 am - 11:00 am |
Social Time |
Wednesday, March 29
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7:00 am - 8:00 am |
Buffet Breakfast |
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8:30 am - 9:15 am |
General Session: Henry Johnson, U.S. Department of
Education |
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9:30 am - 11:00 am |
General Session: Leigh Manasevit, Brustein &
Manasevit Law Firm |
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11:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Preparation for Visits to Capitol Hill and
State Meetings |
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12:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Capitol Hill Visits |
NEW FEATURE ON OUR WEB PAGE—www.nafepa.org
We are launching our new Q and A page so that members will have
an opportunity to do group problem solving. If we get questions that are too
complicated to answer, the Board will consider asking our legal partners to
respond. The first two questions have to do with supplemental education services
and serving students in non-public schools.
NAFEPA AND THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Our Invitation to Meet
with the U. S. Department of Education
by Bobby Burns, NAFEPA President
I attended the opening general
session of the National Title I Conference in Dallas, Texas, on January 28, 2006
. The keynote speaker was Dr. Henry Johnson, Assistant Secretary of Education
for Elementary and Secondary Education. During his speech, he mentioned that the
Department would be bringing together representatives from the top professional
educational organizations in the nation on February 8, 2006. The purpose of the
meeting with Dr. Johnson was to discuss issues pertaining to No Child Left
Behind and state educational agencies.
I can't begin to tell you how proud I was that the National Association of
Federal Education Program Administrators (NAFEPA) was one of the organizations
that was invited. I had received my invitation just a few weeks earlier.
As I arrived at the United States Department of Education that day in February,
I couldn't help feeling a little overwhelmed. As you walk in the building, you
walk through a “little red schoolhouse” bearing the words “No Child Left
Behind.” Once inside I cleared security and was directed to the meeting room. As
soon as I saw the room setup, I realized that this was going to be a small
group. I was one of only 22 participants joining the assistant secretary and his
staff.
Some of the other organizations represented included representatives from NASSP,
NAESP, NMSA, ASCD, CEC, Council of Great City Schools, National PTA, National
Coalition of Title I Parents, NEA, AFT, AASA, and NASBE. Most of the
representatives I recognized either by face or name.
I felt the meeting was very productive as we discussed three basic questions:
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How can the USDE
defines roles and responsibilities for school improvement to eliminate
overlap or duplication of efforts?
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How can the USDE best
partner with States to identify and meet the needs of schools in
improvement, corrective action, and restructuring?
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How can the USDE assist
States to institutionalize practices and procedures that will ensure
high-quality statewide systems of support as required by the No Child
Left Behind Act?
Each table of five had to reach
consensus on three top issues and then present them to the rest of the group. At
the conclusion of the day, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Jackson wrapped up the meeting
and assured us that the information shared would be discussed with the staff and
presented to Secretary Spellings.
I was very humbled to have had this opportunity to represent you, the 1,520
members of NAFEPA. It made me realize that our organization is recognized as one
of the leading professional organizations in the nation. So many of you have
worked hard to get the word out about NAFEPA. All these efforts are now being
rewarded.
I thank you for allowing me to represent all of you, such a fine, professional
group of leaders in the educational field.
MORE NEW FEATURES ON OUR WEB PAGE—www.nafepa.org
Leigh is generously sharing his presentation
with NAFEPA members. The presentation covers many of the legal and compliance
issues that are surfacing for school districts in their implementation of No
Child Left Behind. Leigh used this presentation in his workshop at the NASTID
conference in Dallas.
NAFEPA members are a very talented group of
educators, and for this reason, we have started something new to help our
members promote their talents. We are now providing free advertising of your
professional services on our Members Only web page. You will be able to find the
Presenter Form the form at this site (esea1965nclb is the code for
access). Download the form, fill it out and email it to
elizabeth.pinkerton@frontiernet.net.
The Executive Committee will review what you send and approve it for posting on
this page. The rest is up to you and the folks who want to use your services.
GOING TO WASHINGTON—VISITS
TO THE HILL
NAFEPA Goes to Washington
By Dale Zellmer, NAFEPA Board Member, Minnesota
Chair, Legislative Committee
As we hurriedly walk toward the Hart Senate
Office Building for our first of nine visits on a sunny April afternoon, our
small group of three feels like David vs. Goliath. Walking on every block,
crowding every corner, filling every hallway, and massed outside every
Congressional door are the thousands of people trying to get their voices heard
and more importantly, have their messages remembered. How do I ever stand a
chance against the well organized and financed group trying to promote grain
sales with their clever button - Beer, America's Drink! The three of us
are from “Minnesoda ya know,” and we even forgot a gift of lutefisk.
OK - settle down. There's the Hart Office Building. Just stay calm and get
through security. Why did I have to stop and buy that two-foot high metal candle
tree? They'll never let me bring it in and now one of us will need to baby-sit
it outside. Breathe—stay focused. Let's see - got my NAFEPA position paper,
state packet, business cards, and appointment schedule, … Finally inside, but
where do we go? What time is it? Quick - we're here! What do I say? And so the
afternoon began for me not all that many years ago.
While it sometimes seemed chaotic and un-nerving, it was even more enticing,
invigorating and exciting. At the end of the day I really felt special. For me
it meant that I had participated in a new part of the political process. I had
the chance to have that “discussion on topics of educational importance” with
the people who made the laws and enacted the legislation that I implemented.
I am the NAFEPA representative from Minnesota, and my goal in this brief article
is to share a little of what I have learned and to offer you some practical
suggestions that will help you in your preparation for the all important Capitol
Hill visits. For the past two years I covered this topic at the spring NAFEPA
conference “Newcomers” session. This year we decided to give you some heads-up
time to prepare in advance. Once there you will soon discover that your ultimate
challenge will be how to structure the visit so they will remember
your message long after all the other groups have left!
Who you will ultimately see on the day of your visit depends on many factors,
most of which you cannot control. However, you can influence your visit by how
you organize it in advance. While you might be lucky to actually meet your
Congressional Representative, more than likely you will see an educational
legislative assistant instead. But that can be very good.
So let's begin.
A month prior to the Hill visits your state NAFEPA representative will know how
many from your state have registered to date for the conference. All who are
attending need to know that they are counted on to be part of the team. If you
are able to have two or three good size teams, it makes the scheduling much
easier, and you will have a greater impact at the meeting as the size of group
does matter. Contact your NAFEPA representative (the names are listed in this
publication) and let them know which Congressional districts you live and work
in and if you have had any personal contacts with any of the staffers. I can’t
underestimate the value this can have because having every Congressional
District represented will be an asset. Often one of the first questions asked is
if anyone in the group is from their Congressional district. Voters count, you
know. Once the preliminary teams have been organized you need to plan the
schedule. An aggressive schedule would allow 20 minutes to get to the office and
30 minutes for the visit. Depending on the office locations, plan on 45 to 60
minute intervals.
Try to cover all offices in one building before you move next door. Going from
the House to the Senate buildings can take a good 15 minutes. At the same time
your teams are being organized and the schedule set, the information packets
need to be prepared. These need to be customized for each office you visit.
Approximately two months in advance, I send a message to all the state
association members asking for their assistance in providing me with some
specific information. I try to collect personal stories of NCLB successes and
challenges from as many districts as possible. I collect summary funding trend
data, areas of service, numbers served, and assessment data. I also ask that
they seek comments from parents of Title I students regarding how the program
has helped their children. This really helps bring faces to the numbers and is
information that is always well received. We then add the district reports to
the appropriate Congressional packets.
Next I add our state organization chart
(Minnesota Association of Administrators of State and Federal Programs) which
contains all the contact information for the Executive Board members and the
Congressional Board of Directors members. If your association has its own
Legislative Position Paper, be sure to include it in the packet. I sometimes
include summaries of other federal NCLB funding data as well as IDEA. Do not
forget to include the NAFEPA Legislative position paper which will be
distributed at the conference. And, it is very important to remember to bring a
supply of your business cards.
Approximately three to four weeks before the conference, I fax a letter to the
Education Legislative Assistant in Washington DC outlining who we are, the
purpose of the visit, and that I will be calling in a few days to set an
appointment. A good source for background information on the Congressional
Representative as well as office location, phone numbers, and staff, can be
found at www.congress.org. It is
very important to know the educational voting record of the member of Congress.
A few days later I call and schedule each visit and finalize the overall days
schedule and team assignments. By the way, they usually ask how many people will
be coming.
Show Time!
No matter how many times I visit the Hill it is always an exciting fast-paced
event. Sometime that morning the entire team meets for at least 45 minutes, and
we review the team assignments, office locations, and the packets. The majority
of the time should be spent scripting the all-important message. Remember, every
hour that the Congressional office is open there is a non-stop flow of
delegations coming to discuss their pressing concerns and requests. An important
key to your success is finding a way to “connect” with the person you are
meeting so that he or she will remember your message at the end of the day. If
you have someone on your team from the Congressional district, have that person
take the lead the moment you enter. People from their districts represent voters
and potential supporters.
Who you will actually meet with is dependent on so many factors, so do not be
disappointed if you actually meet only a few members of Congress. Respect their
limited time, stay focused, and get them engaged in the discussion. Elicit their
views on topics contained in the position papers, and make sure they understand
your concerns and allow them to hear about the good things that are happening.
I've been in meetings where after five minutes, the staffer leaves and then
returns with the Chief of Staff or sometimes the Representative. I have also
been in one visit where the first statement made by the legislative assistant
was, “So what do you want from …………? ” But later that day I also heard, “So what
can …….. do for you?” Same number of words; totally different message. You never
quite know what to expect.
I suggest not scheduling your most important visits at the very beginning of the
day. As you hurriedly walk to your second and third appointments you will
undoubtedly be critiquing your presentation and making those subtle
all-important modifications. Those changes might be critical for your most
important visit. Before you know it, your precious time is up, and it is time to
leave.
There is one more thing to do, and while it is easy to forget, it is a very
important follow up. When you get home, send an e-mail thanking the folks that
met with you. And, if you can, offer to assist them with their NCLB questions.
Good luck!
NOTE:
If you are unable to attend the March conference in Washington DC, and unable to
visit the senators from your state and your members of the House of
Representatives, there are still ways that you can be involved.
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Contact someone from your state that you
know is attending and have that person speak on your behalf.
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Call or email your NAFEPA representative
and provide information from your district that can be delivered to your
members of Congress.
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If you are from a state that does not have
a NAFEPA affiliation, contact me and I will help you get someone to speak
for you.
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Prepare your own paper with your ideas for
reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind law (the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act). Send you views to President Bobby Burns or
Legislative Chair Dale Zellmer. Or send them to me for posting on the
Members Only Page.
Elizabeth Pinkerton
NEW
MEMBERS and Board of Directors
Welcome To Our New
NAFEPA
Members!
Alaska: Louise Anderl;
Alabama: Robin Kines, Davine Miller; Arkansas:
Renalla Clemons, Netila Cureton, Lynne Dardenne, Rick Duff,
Cindy Hale, Scott Henderson, Ken Holmes, Trudy Hughes, Vicki
Hurst, Kathie Janes, Carlene Liles, W. Eldon McAnally, Sherry
Powell, Kristen Scanlon, Patricia Searight, Karleen Sheets, Lisa
Todd, Carolyn Vassar, Janet Walker, Barbara Zamboni; Colorado:
Susan Wormus; California: Pamela Bovyer, Annette Cooper,
Rachelle Cracchiolo, Linda Hanger, John Nelson, Emily Smith,
Bernice Stafford, Jerry Wooden; Florida: Jennifer Bell,
Susan Canning, Louis Dunbar, Carolyn Gardinier, Kathleen Grim,
Ann MacDonald, Bruce Tomlinson; Illinois: Monieva Perez-Materko;
Massachusetts: Suzan Cullen, Charles Tetrault;
Maryland: Jeffery Cohen; Michigan: Holli Buck, Shannon
Earls,
Willye Pigott, J.T. Stout, Jennifer Zystra; Minnesota:
Judy Conver; Mississippi: Demetria Armen, Susan Bentley,
Donnie Howell, Norman Powell, John Wells; New Jersey:
Lesley McGiboney, Nancy Silver; New York: Linda Koons;
North Carolina: John Grantham; Ohio: Barbara Crossett
Hoffman; Oklahoma: Vivian Bunch; Pennsylvania:
Marie Bonner, Pat Cawley, Patricia Kriley; South Carolina:
Laurence King; Texas: Victor Forsyth, JoAnn Pacheco,
Pamela Branch; Virginia: Aldridge Boone, Shevine Holeman;
Wisconsin: Peter Pfundtner, Loren Rathert; Washington:
Christine Finkle
CHECK YOUR LABEL TO SEE IF
YOU ARE DUE FOR RENEWAL!!
www.
nafepa.org
Here is the secret code that allows you to enter the new
“members only” pages: esea1965nclb. Please remember to keep this
code confidential so that only NAFEPA members have access. The
code may change from time to time. If you have difficulty
gaining access, email Elizabeth at
elizabeth.pinkerton@frontiernet.net
Meet Your NAFEPA Board Members
EVERETT
MANN— Ohio Representative
Dr. Everett Mann is an Administrative Assistant for Business
and Planning and State and Federal Programs in the Hamilton City
School District, Hamilton, Ohio, a position he has held since
1993. Previously, he worked in the Hamilton district in state
and federal programs and in other districts as an administrator
and a teacher. The Hamilton School District is an urban school
district with 9,200 students, and Dr. Mann is responsible for
all business operations of the school district, governmental
relations, and private, state, and federal programs. His
interests include state and federal programs, grant writing,
school finance, governmental relations, and school/community
relations. His Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are from Miami
University, Oxford, Ohio, and his doctorate is from Indiana
University, Bloomington, Indiana. Everett has been a member of
NAFEPA since 1978 and has served on numerous committees,
including legislative, conference, and archives. He has edited
the last two yearbooks and worked on the two previous ones. In
2003 Everett received the Ralph Steffek award, NAFEPA’s highest
award, which is given for outstanding service to NAFEPA. “NAFEPA
is like a professional family,” said Everett about his long time
connection to the organization. “There are times when you have
tough decisions that have to be made with federal programs. You
can always get help from your NAFEPA colleagues.”
HELEN
ADAMS—North Carolina Representative
Helen Adams has served in a variety of positions in NAFEPA.
She has been secretary, Board representative on the Executive
Committee, and chair of four committees, archives, by-laws,
awards and membership. Helen has had a long association with the
Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, North Carolina (36 years)
as a teacher and administrator. A graduate of Shaw University in
Raleigh (Bachelor’s in English), and North Carolina Central
University in Durham (Master’s in Education), Helen also has
certification in administration, curriculum, and as a reading
specialist. Helen has been honored at local, state and national
levels for her leadership role in many organizations and her
dedicated commitment to education. She worked with state and
federal programs in her district for 29 years and has been North
Carolina’s representative to NAFEPA since 1988. Her NAFEPA goal
was to increase North Carolina’s membership which she has done
over the years. Helen retired in October 2003, but she continues
as chairperson of the Committee of Practitioners and Legislative
Chair for the North Carolina Association of Compensatory
Education. She worked with Dr. Henry Johnson in his previous
position in her state. Helen continues to serve as NAFEPA’s
representative on the Board of Directors. In 2004 Helen received
the Ralph Steffek award, NAFEPA’s highest award, which is given
for outstanding service to NAFEPA. “What NAFEPA has meant to me
has been the many opportunities to network on a consistent basis
with other members,” said Helen. ‘NAFEPA is just the greatest
organization!”
NAFEPA Board
of Directors—State Representatives
This newsletter was prepared by: Elizabeth Pinkerton
If you are in an unaffiliated state, contact me
elizabeth.pinkerton@frontiernet.net
if you need
additional information.
Click here
for printable version in .pdf format.
Click here
for Newsletters Archives.
Click here
for NAFEPA Membership/Subscription Form.
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