Write a letter
STEP ONE
Identify the right audience
Below are some tips for planning and executing an advocacy campaign. Your work can be as comprehensive or small as you are comfortable with. The most important thing is to try!
If curriculum decisions are made at the state level, connect with your state superintendent or chief state school officer. If they’re at the local level, try to work with your district superintendent. Don’t forget to also consider contacting your state treasurer’s office – they often take the lead on financial education and can have an influential voice . State legislators write and vote on state laws. They should be included in any advocacy campaign where they can introduce, support, or oppose legislation. Find their contact information at OpenStates.org. You should be able to find a way to contact them through their website.
STEP TWO
Find your voice
Effective advocacy is storytelling. Be prepared to tell your story – did you take a personal finance or economics course that resonated with you? Does your school lack access to these courses? Take stock of your school and community’s reality and be prepared to tell that story. Use these draft letters as a starting point but be sure to add your voice and example to personalize it.
STEP THREE
Arrange the right data
Using appropriate data can be very powerful. If you are advocating for a change in your district or state, look up how many students would be impacted, what are the demographics and who would be impacted. Data will help you paint a picture of who your proposed policy would impact.
