Advocacy in Education: Research-Based Strategies for Teachers, Administrators, and Teacher Educators

The recent wave of teacher protests across the U.S. has shined a spotlight on advocacy in education. In an age when schools are underfunded to the point of unmanageable class sizes, outdated texts, dilapidated school buildings and shortened school weeks, educators must use their voices and advocate in order to preserve public education. This book addresses multiple strategies and approaches advocacy can take through the lens of teachers, administrators, teacher educators and community leaders. It can serve as a roadmap geared toward educators of all backgrounds and experience levels, from preservice teachers to seasoned administrators, as well as teacher educators who want to dispel the myth that public schools are failing. Too often, educators are expected to be advocates without any guidelines provided. Even though they are powerful in numbers, they are often isolated in their classrooms in attempt to meet the increasing needs of their students and the daunting demands of the educational system. This volume highlights opportunities for educators to serve as advocates by getting involved, which can take many shapes and forms. Individual chapters built around specific themes show how educators can use advocacy to forge connections, problem solve, resolve conflict, develop as professionals, enter into dialogue, utilize branches of government and become sustained education advocates. The four themes in this book are teacher advocacy, teacher and teacher education, leadership and administration and community collaborations.