EdSource Symposium 2016’s Greatest Lesson? Communication Is Key!
October 20th, 2016
“You know when you think of something that happened way back in history – and everyone talks about it, and everyone thinks ‘oh god, why would they do that? That doesn’t seem reasonable…If everything we’re trying to do in education was successful – this would be one of those moments. People would look back on it and wonder – how was it ever that bad? Students speaking up and having a say in things that go on in their schools and districts would be so common place that it wouldn’t be a big deal, because it just is.” – Reginald Quartley, senior, Oakland High School
We heard a lot about progress, policy and what’s left to do at this year’s EdSource Symposium. Stand out communicators like Linda Darling-Hammond and Chris Edley brought the crowd to a hush, but it was the five kids from Oakland Unified School District who really brought down the house. These teenagers’ presence focused all 600 attendees, reminding everyone in the room who we are serving when we talk about education.
In his statement, Reginald used some of the most powerful messaging education advocates can use. He addressed an important issue – equity in education – he imbued that issue with a sense of moral urgency, and he is optimistic, asserting that education will improve. Most powerfully of all, he appealed to the audience’s emotions.
There are many amazing advocates, researchers, and policy experts who are working hard to put us on the right side of history. Too often, however, poor communications strategies derail their efforts. When I asked the students a few questions about the Symposium one student, Yasmin Oreaga answered,
“It was hard for me to understand some of the language they used.”
If we want to make real and meaningful impact on students’ lives, we have to be able to explain our motivations, research, and solutions to those very students. We have to be able to communicate clearly with their parents and teachers and community members. And we need to start now.
Education advocates are the ultimate social changemakers. They deal with so many complex issues from social and emotional development to national math and science standards and they have the power to make real and meaningful impacts on children’s lives. But good research and intentions aren’t enough to succeed. In order to effect the biggest change, you MUST have high impact, persuasive communications that activate and engage your community.
That’s why PR & Company is offering our Education Impact Advocacy Communications Training next month on November 18th. PR & Company’s 20-year advocacy communications veterans will share best practices around using communications to drive policy change with up to 10 individuals to scale your impact and success. We’re determined to scale success for education overall and for individual leaders in education – we, and they, can’t afford to wait.