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Edward A. Shafer, Director CTE Technical Assistance Center of NY CTE ADVOCACY: BUILDING SUPPORT FOR MEANINGFUL APPLIED EDUCATION EXPERIENCES

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What is Your CTE Message Plan? Lay it out on one page or less What is your message? Who do you want to impact? Who can help? What are 5 key actions you can incorporate into your work day/week/month/year? How will you measure success?

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IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS Being a Thought Leader Its not about you; its about them Counter intuitive It is not what you are selling; it is what their questions are and the answers you provide about what they need to get done Listening is not about being quiet; it is about being present in the dialogue

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Thought Leadership A CTE thought leader is an individual or organization that colleagues, businesses, parents, students, districts and even competitors recognize as one of the foremost authorities in CTE, resulting in them being the go-to individual or organization for Thought leaders inspire others to act to take the next step in their journey

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Thought Leaders Identify the questions that colleagues/districts/external audiences are asking. Identify them all. Then prioritize them. Answer those questions across multiple formats and multiple channels in a way that adds value to their audiences. Give to Get Share what they know, avoid being proprietary and refer the audience to other solutions Make it interesting. There is a return on interesting. Educate them? Yes. But try to entertain them in the process. Tell stories. Use examples Invite customers to participate: Survey, interview and dialogue with the key audiences.

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The Metaphor to Raising Money Educators vote, get incorporated into budgets or receive a request for service. Its about relationships Fear of rejection You cannot blame the donor/decision maker You can keep score (you need a metric)

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IMPORTANT SHIFTS IN CTE ADVOCACY Vocational CTE Ad hoc Intentional Solo Partners Some students All students From kids Communities General Audience Targeted Stories Facts (logic/emotion) Investment Return on investment

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What is Your Message? College and Careers? CTE or just for your program(s)? To promote CTE and your programs and to whom ? What are your current efforts? Alignment of the efforts to the message?

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CHALLENGE OF MESSAGING Themes and agendas Staying on message Problem of narrow interests We know more than we can do Complexity cannot be explained

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CHALLENGE OF MESSAGING Lay a bread crumb trail Dramatize events See the same individual in multiple contexts Rehearse and repeat explanations Simplify Develop familiar administrative mechanisms (how do you manage this)

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Syracuse Message Promote all secondary programs, including CTE, as equally rigorous pathways for high school students. Provide parents and students with information using various media, middle school presentations, and visits to career education programs to explain program quality, opportunity for postsecondary education, and paths to employment.

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Natural Partners/Customers Business Parents, students and Faculty Central Office and Board of Education/BOCES Superintendents and local Boards of Education Elementary, Middle and High School Principals Post secondary education providers Academics who help you with Program Approval Are there others? Who are your customers?

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Unnatural Partners/Customers Civic Groups-Rotary, Kiwanis, etc. Community Foundations Economic Development Council Chambers of Commence Regional Teacher Union Leadership Are there others?

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Press Fear of the Press Editorial Boards Solicited and unsolicited op. eds. Reporters need stories Social Media

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Politicians Why would you like to meet with the politician? Make contact Get ready Gather your materials Be prepared Be flexible Be tolerant Be respectful Stay focused Dont underestimate the staff Follow up

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Board of Regents Unified Approach Crosswalk of Advocacy The Professional Associations outgun us! Social Studies on Regents Substitution Informative lesson and the model for our action email, social media and cell phone numbers Tie to NYSACTE Work from the unified message

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Strategies Define Your Core Message Establish long term and short term goals Enlist district/BOCES public information staff Prepare core materials, videos, PowerPoint's and social media messaging Develop a critical contact list and use it regularly Have the students help i.e. graphic design and computer tech

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TAG LINE? LEARNING THAT WORKS GET READY!!!

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Clarity. Consistency. Connectivity. 1. The baggage of Voc Ed. 2. Proactive message 3. Clarity and consistency 4. Flexibility and adaptation, with a core proposition & message 5. Connecting with the audience

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The CTE Value Proposition 1. The time for CTE is now 2. Addresses Americas concerns 3. Develops our most valuable resource 4. Work links us together 5. It matters to everyone

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The Core Principles of the CTE Vision 1. Ensure US global competitiveness 2. Partners with employers for high quality 3. Prepares students to succeed in further education and careers.

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The Core Principles of the CTE Vision Delivered through comprehensive programs of study A results-driven system with a positive return on investment.

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The CTE Brand Promise Career Technical Education promises an unrelenting commitment to: 1. Continually improve the relevance and value of an education; 2. Prepare students for success in both career and college

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The CTE Brand Promise (Cont.) 3. Provide a highly skilled, sustainable workforce; 4. Provide dynamic, innovative leadership; and 5. Serve as a strategic partner with secondary and postsecondary educators, business and industry so the nation is globally competitive.

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CTE: Learning that works for career and college readiness. 1. Secondary CTE students are more informed and focused when they enter college 2. Through Career Clusters, student can craft educational pathways for success in college and career

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CTE: Learning that works for business and industry A skilled, sustainable workforce Provides technical knowledge, and employability skills Links students and potential employers Allows business and industry to collaborate and develop dynamic programs reflect B&I needs

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CTE: Learning that works for our communities. 1. Prepares the next generation of skilled workforce, innovation and leaders for all communities 2. CTE develops local entrepreneurs 3. Improves ROI in education at the federal, state and local levels

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CTE: Learning that works for......student achievement...our economy...global competitiveness...our state

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What is Your CTE Message Plan? Lay it out on one page or less What is your message? Who do you want to impact? Who can help? What are 5 key actions you can incorporate into your work day/week/month/year? How will you measure success?

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Questions, Comments and Considerations