Engaging the Media

Within the education community, a variety of stakeholders are impacted by discussions about equitable access to great teachers and leaders, including parents, teachers, the local business community, local and state policymakers, and the general public. By engaging with the media, stakeholders can increase understanding of issues related to equitable access to great teachers and leaders as well as increase the likelihood that candidates may be drawn to teach in high-need areas.

What Can I Do to Support Equitable Access to Great Teachers and Leaders?

Strategies to Consider

  • Celebrate Successful State and District Partnerships

    Recruit media influencers to help celebrate the successful state and district partnerships that increase the effectiveness of candidates in high-need schools and to improve recruitment by drawing candidates to teach in them. 

  • Engage With the Media

    Reach out to the media to encourage journalists, bloggers, and reporters to engage with equity data and accurately report on related issues.

Resources

  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg's 2010 Strategic Initiative

    In 2010, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (in North Carolina) prioritized the equitable access to effective teachers in the school district as a key objective in its overall goal of providing effective educators for all students. Specifically, the school district called for high-need schools to have teachers and administrators with the same experience and degrees for teachers in schools recognized as Schools of Excellence and Distinction. The strategic initiative was announced in the media; highlighted prominently on the district website; and referenced in presentations to the school board, community organizations, parent groups, and school-level personnel.

    http://www.aspeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/content/docs/pubs/ED_Case_Study_Strategic_Staffing.pdf
  • Golden Apple Awards Ceremony

    Annually, teachers in Chicago are presented with the Golden Apple teaching awards during a black-tie event. The Golden Apple organization and the Chicago media team up to air the ceremony for the community. Although the content does not reflect purely issues of inequitable access, it provides an example of strategic ways to engage with the media to share education successes. 

    http://www.goldenapple.org/2014-golden-apple-awards-1