Advocacy Resources
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Explore the Advocacy Resources Section:

• Advocacy Action Center


• Federal Education Update (M)


• TESOL Letters and Alerts

Access the Latest Advocacy Resources Documents:

• TESOL Comments on Proposed Accommodations for NAEP (November 2009; PDF)
  In response to a solicitation by the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), TESOL submitted comments on the proposed uniform national rules for participation of English language learners in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a nationally representative and continuing assessment of student achievement in the U.S.
• TESOL Comments on Race to the Top Fund (August 2009; PDF)
  At the end of July, the U.S. Department of Education published proposed regulations for the Race to the Top grant program, which was funded as part of the economic stimulus package. TESOL submitted comments on the proposed regulations about the impact upon English language learners and educators.
• TESOL Lobbies Capitol Hill for Adult ESL (July 2009)
  On June 24, 2009, 22 TESOL members representing 18 U.S.-based affiliates met in Washington, D.C., to lobby for adult English as a second language (ESL) on TESOL Advocacy Day 2009. Featuring issue briefings and workshop, the event was capped by visits to U.S. Congress. By the end of the day, TESOL members had visited the offices of more than 70 representatives and senators.
• U.S. Citizenship and Adult ESL sessions at 2009 TESOL convention
  In October 2008 a new U.S. naturalization exam was launched. Learn more about the new exam and elements of immigration policy and citizenship with these special sessions sponsored by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Citizenship.
• Summary of 2008 Presidential Candidates' Platforms on Education
  A summary of the education platforms of Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama and Republican Presidential Candidate Senator John McCain.
• TESOL Comments on Notice of Proposed Interpretations for Title III (June 2008; PDF)
  TESOL responds the U.S. Department of Education's Notice of Proposed Interpretations for Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. The proposed interpretations outline proposals for implementation of the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) of Title III.
• 2008 U.S. Federal Update (April 2008; PDF)
  Mid-way through the 110th Congress, where do things stand with federal education policy? A copy of the presentation given by TESOL's legislative consultants at the 2008 TESOL convention is available here.
• TESOL thanks Sen. Kennedy for support of EL/Civics (March 2008; PDF)
  Letter sent to Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) thanking him for his sponsorship of a budget amendment that would increase federal funding for classes that combine adult ESL and civics instruction.
• TESOL urges veto of Florida HB 0491/SB 0286 (March 2008; PDF)
  Letter from TESOL urging Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to veto HB 0491/SB 0286, which would curtail teacher training for reading instructors working with English language learners.
• TESOL supports PRIDE Act (March 2008; PDF)
  Letter in support of the the Providing Resources to Improve Dual-Language Education (PRIDE) Act, a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would provide resources for dual-immersion programs.
• TESOL Visits Capitol Hill (June 2007)
  At TESOL Advocacy Day 2007, members representing nearly a dozen U.S. affiliates met with members of Congress to discuss the impact of, and changes for, the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.
• TESOL Submits ESEA Reauthorization Recommendations to U.S. House (April 2007; 104 KB PDF)
  As the U.S. Congress prepares for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), TESOL has submitted its recommendations to the leaders of the House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee.
• Letter from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (March 2007; 349 KB PDF)
  At the 41st Annual TESOL Convention and Exhibit in Seattle, Washington, USA, TESOL honored U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for her work in supporting immigrants and education. Sen. Cantwell sent the attached letter to accept the honor from TESOL.
• TESOL Submits ESEA Reauthorization Recommendations to U.S. Senate (March 2007; 103 KB PDF)
  As the U.S. Congress prepares for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), TESOL has submitted its recommendations to the leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
• TESOL Submits Testimony for Hearing on English-only in the U.S., July 2006 (53K PDF)
  As part of the larger debate over immigration reform, the Subcommittee on Education Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives held a hearing on July 26 to discuss differing views on English as the official language of the United States. TESOL offered its comments through written testimony submitted to the subcommittee.
• TESOL Submits Written Testimony on the Impact of NCLB, July 2006, (100 KB PDF)
  In response to the July 12 hearing by the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the U.S. House of Representatives, TESOL submitted written testimony on the impact of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) upon English language learners.
• Testimony for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on No Child Left Behind (July 12, 2006)
  On July 12, 2006, TESOL member Keith Buchanan, ESOL Coordinator for Fairfax County Public Schools, Virigina, testified before the House Education and the Workforce Committee on the impact of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) upon English language learners.
• TESOL Goes to Capitol Hill! (June 21, 2006)
  On June 21, 2006, 22 TESOL members representing 19 U.S.-based affiliates met in Washington, D.C., for TESOL Advocacy Day 2006. This event, the first of its kind for TESOL, featured a day of issue briefings and workshops, capped by members visiting congressional offices on Capitol Hill.
• TESOL Co-signs letter in support of the DREAM Act (March 2006; PDF)
  TESOL joins 28 other organizations in supporting the DREAM Act in the U.S. Congress and thanking Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) for his leadership in sponsoring the legislation.
• Joint Organizational Statement on the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
  TESOL, along with over 90 other education, civil rights, children’s, disability, and citizens’ organizations, has co-signed a joint organizational statement advocating changes to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
• TESOL Comments on Institute of Education Sciences Priorities (August 2005; PDF)
  The Institute of Education Sciences, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, recently asked the public to comment on its proposed priorities for research in education. TESOL's comments on the proposed priorities are available here.
• TESOL Letter in Support of Graduate Opportunities in Higher Education Act of 2005 (July 2005; PDF)
  On June 15, 2005, the Subcommittee on Education Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 510, the Graduate Opportunities in Higher Education Act of 2005. The bill reauthorizes the Higher Education Act, and identifies postbaccalaureate study related to teacher preparation and dissertation research in the fields of second language pedagogy and second language acquisition as priority areas for grants and graduate fellowships under the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need program.
• TESOL Letter in Response to Change in Naturalization Test Redesign Process (May 2005; PDF)
  On March 29, 2005 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced a sudden change in direction for the redesign of the United States naturalization exam, a process that had been underway since 2001. As TESOL had been a participant stakeholder in this process, the following letter expressing TESOL's concern on this decision was sent as a response.
• TESOL Urges Veto of West Virginia English Only Bill (April 2005; PDF)
  On the last day of its legislative session, the West Virginia legislature approved a bill that included a last-minute amendment making English the official language of the state. The letter from TEOSL President Elliot Judd urging the governor to veto the bill is available here.
• TESOL Comments on Proposed Title I Regulations of No Child Left Behind (August 2004; PDF)
  August 9, 2004--TESOL's response to the request for comments from the U.S. Department of Education on proposed regulation changes for the assessment of and accountability for English language learners under Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB).
• TESOL Response to Arizona Dept. of Education Study (August 2004; PDF)
  TESOL's response to the Arizona Department of Education's draft report, The Effects of Bilingual Education Programs and Structured English Immersion Programs on Student Achievement: A Large-Scale Comparison, comparing the 2002-2003 performance on the Stanford 9 achievement test of students in bilingual education programs with those in structured English immersion programs.
• Visit the U.S. Advocacy Action Center
  TESOL's U.S. Advocacy Action Center includes detailed information on the U.S. Congress including a congressional directory, legislation and bills, and communication tools.
• Comment on Proposed SEVIS Fee (PDF)
  TESOL's December 22, 2003 response to the request for comments on the proposed SEVIS student visa fee.
• Position Paper on High-Stakes Testing for K-12 English-Language Learners in the United States of America (March 2003)
  This paper discusses TESOL's position on high-stakes testing for pre-K-12 students.
• Advocacy and Public Policy at the 2007 TESOL Convention
  Interested in information on advocacy and public policy? Want to hear updates from Washington on legislation, federal programs, and initiatives? Click here for a list of special sessions at the 2007 TESOL convention in Seatlle, Washington, USA.

Visit the Advocacy Resources Links:

• Canadian Parliament
• Advocacy Day 2006, Video: Having an Effective Meeting with Your Member of Congress

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