While classroom teachers and building and district-level leaders are vital to the success of any initiative, understanding the broader context that drives and shapes such initiatives is essential as well. Effective federal, state and local policy provides the foundation that enables classroom innovation to flourish.

A key aspect of effective policy is that it is flexible, frequently evaluated, and modified as needed to engender true transformation. A systematic approach to policy formulation will enable policy-makers to establish realistic policies in reasonable time frames. Central to the process is focusing on clear goals and putting in place the evaluation elements that allow the process to be checked continually to determine whether the intended audience is truly benefiting. As part of this process, it is essential for policy-makers to be aware of the fairness and equity of the policy to all parties it impacts.

Participation in public education policy-setting by educators and community members is on the rise at the federal, state and local levels and there are countless avenues for such participation. According to the Virginia Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute's (CEPI) Public Participation in Education Policy: Changing Roles, "The role of public participation in educational policy has evolved over time within the framework of the federal/state/local control over education. Although in the past public participation in educational policy was quite limited and for the most part consisted of citizens contacting federal and state legislators to voice their opinions, the role of public participation has increased with the advent of Open Government laws [as well as the Freedom of Information Act] and the increased access to information provided by technology. It is easier today than ever before to stay informed about the issues facing education, to interact with the educators and the policy-makers at all levels and to participate in the process through various mediums."

GETTING INVOLVED

Educators and other stakeholders can get involved in educational policy either as individuals or as members of an advocacy group or association. According to the CEPI report, "Perhaps the greatest area of influence on educational policy comes from those who participate in the legislative process. Which programs receive federal funding or federal scrutiny in local and state practice is motivated in large part by public participation in the legislative process. The effort of focused educational lobbying has resulted in greater funding for specific programs as well as mandates for services without complete funding. This takes place in the form of both professional lobbying and also individuals testifying and participating in hearings on educational issues."

Ways for schools and districts to get successfully involved in educational policy include:

• Public opinion surveys and polling (surveys are a great way to discover support strategies for your initiative);
• Direct mail and media announcements;
• Partnering with community organizations to support policy that benefits both school and community;
• Working closely with local press;
• Developing fundraising plans;
• Creating community committees for input and guidance;
• Forming a political action committee;
• Inviting VIPs to your schools to show them what is going well and where help is needed;
• Having visitors talk with students, who can often tell your story in a way that administrators might never think of;
• Recruiting students for decision-making positions (a number of states have enacted legislation providing for student members of the local school board so the student voice has greater representation in the formation of educational policy);
• Getting to know the chief of staff for your mayor and other government officials;
• Visiting your state congressional or assembly representatives and education policy advisors;
• Using digital media to get the word out about school programs and plans;
• Participating in public meetings.

While many policy decisions are made at a regional, state or federal level, one area of policy that generally falls to individual districts is the establishment of an "Acceptable Use Policy" (AUP) that addresses the "do's and don'ts" of technology use. Topics that should be addressed in an AUP, include:

• Definitions of appropriate and inappropriate use;
• Consequences for misuse;
• Rules and resources for copyright compliance;
• User liability expectations;
• Student safety issues;
• Network security and other issues related to maintaining a robust infrastructure.