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Inviting Legislators and Other Elected Officials to Experience Career/Technical Education

The Career and Technical Education classroom is a very powerful setting as it conveys an accurate image to legislators (and other elected officials) providing an actual point of reference. Inviting the legislator into the classroom is much more effective than the educator visiting the legislator at the Alabama State House. It also provides a forum for career and technical educators to discuss issues impacting career and technical education such as instructional needs, equipment, professional development, legislative topics, and to get legislators' (and other elected officials) commitment to demand funding of career and technical education programs. In addition, the legislator has the opportunity to experience the Career/Tech classroom.

Suggested Activities...

Involve the legislator with the students, with the program, and with the concept of the career and technical education structure so as to increase their understanding of its importance. "Model" programs are those where students are involved and learning, not where everything is "perfect." Plan and allow for them to see your needs as well as your successes. Be ready to follow up after the visit with reminders for what they were able to experience and what they can do to assist with needed improvements. Brainstorm with your colleagues and administrators regarding the following suggestions or any other ideas you may have. Consider combining several of these as well. 

Plan only a portion of the day for concentrated activities and encourage the legislator (other elected officials) to visit as many sites and programs as possible. Work with other career and technical educators at your school. In large districts, split up the legislators among your colleagues.

Invite the school photographer and local and community newspaper reporters to report on the legislator's visit. Consider videotaping the visit and/or contacting the local television stations to cover the event.

Invite the superintendent, administration, advisory committee, business and industry partners, and the legislator to discuss open forum topics with the students or as a panel for the students, i.e. importance of career and technical education, business and industry certification, applied academics.

Set-up short (3-5 min) interviews for the legislator so they can meet individually with students or local CTSO officers to discuss career and technical education issues or political aspirations.

Have the local CTSO officers and advisory council conduct a round table with the legislator to discuss ideas on how to improve career and technical education and/or local programs.

Schedule different teachers/programs at your site to host the legislator so they can experience more than one program.

Ask the legislator their area of expertise or interest to determine if they could present or demonstrate a lesson to the students.

Have the students show the legislators their projects, plans, accomplishments, and goals for the class or have students teach a skill to the legislator.

Before the legislator (other elected official) arrives, have students list their own opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of the career and technical education programs and how the legislator could help improve the program.

Have students responsible for hosting the legislator and show them the parts of the career and technical education programs they feel are important.

Have a parent/adult student committee meet with the legislator to explain their perspectives of the success of career and technical education.

Invite former students to discuss their Career/Tech experience and how it has enabled them to be successful in the workplace.

Along with the legislator, invite community and corporate leaders to view your school and programs as well as the chance to meet with the legislator.

Have each student write a thank you note stating what he or she felt was vital from the day.