The Importance of School-Level Advocacy
May 4, 2026
emoore21
Charter school advocacy groups and lobbyists spend a great deal of time in Raleigh during the
legislative session, meeting with legislators and strengthening the case for school choice.
However, some of the most effective advocates can be the folks who work in our schools every
day because you are the ones who witness firsthand the positive effects students experience. It
can be difficult to think of yourselves as charter school advocates, but it doesn’t have to be
difficult. Here are a few tips:
- Relationships matter: Relationships with legislators have to be built and sustained
through consistency and persistency over time. Your representatives must know who you
are and know that the students in your schools are their voting constituents. - It’s all in the timing: The time to begin getting to know legislators is the day after they
are sworn in. Waiting until the legislature is in session could prove too late. - Invite and inform: Charter leaders should invite legislators to their schools, have them
meet students, and initially, ask for nothing in return. Letting the legislators see
classrooms and meet students, even offering photo ops, could be key to educating them
about charters. Unfortunately, some legislators know very little about charter schools. - Â Set the example: Building these relationships with legislators provides the added benefit
of modeling the importance of civic engagement for our students, who are the number
one priority in our schools. They will shape the future. - Building bridges: Emphasizing the bipartisan nature of support for charter schools is
crucial. Meeting the needs of the students and families that both charters and legislators
serve brings together a variety of folks.
These simple steps for becoming a charter school advocate can lead to powerful results. If you
have any questions, or if you are ready to host a legislator at your school, please contact me at rhonda@ncpubliccharters.org.
Rhonda Dillingham
Executive Director
NC Association for Public Charter Schools
#LegislativeAdvocacy
