The basis for Phi Delta Kappa's education advocacy is contained in the opening statements of the Constitution and Bylaws. Section C1.1.3 states:

The purpose of Phi Delta Kappa shall be to promote quality education, in particular publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. This purpose shall be accomplished through research, service, and leadership in education.

This statement is not intended to mean that PDK does not see the need for strong private and parochial education. On the contrary, we value these forms of education and encourage involvement from educators in these schools and other types of education organizations. However, the vast majority of children in the United States and other Western democracies are, and will continue to be, educated in publicly supported schools. The future of those children, and of democracy, depends on keeping the public schools strong and supporting their continuous improvement.

NCLB: Making It Work by Making It Better
In light of the century-long commitment by Phi Delta Kappa International to advocate for high-quality, universally available education, we will engage our members, chapters, and other concerned educators with our Advocacy Call to Action in an effort to inform the national debate surrounding the pending reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Related Links

Why We Still Need Public Schools: Public Education for the Common Good — A report from the Center on Education Policy

Fifty Ways to Improve the Achievement Gap Workshop

Curriculum Management Audits

Public Advocacy Statements
Education advocates will find many resources in the public statements issued by Phi Delta Kappa International. Such public statements may be in the form of advertorials, letters, or news releases. Use these PDK public advocacy statements for grassroots action in your community.

PDK/Gallup Poll
The annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools is an invaluable barometer of public opinion. Much of the information can be used as a factual basis for advocacy statements.

Summit on Education
The mission of Phi Delta Kappa International is to promote high-quality, universally available education as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. To further this mission, PDK holds an annual Summit on Education each fall. This international conference is designed to facilitate serious, thought-provoking dialogue about sustaining public schools.

Walk for Education
The Phi Delta Kappa International Walk for Education is an annual walk in conjunction with the Summit on Education. Other local walks for education are growing in number in communities around the world. PDK provides detailed information about how to develop a local walk to support education advocacy and local education initiatives.

PDK Connection
Three times each year Phi Delta Kappa International publishes a member newsletter titled the PDK Connection. This newsletter is sent to all Kappans and contains two specific sections with information related to advocacy: an Advocacy Page of background information, positions, and tips and a Parent Page with information that educators may find useful to share with parents and will be pertinent to Kappan parents and community members.

Advocacy Handbook
Phi Delta Kappa International Advocacy Handbook is designed for members and chapters, but this 32-page publication also will be useful beyond PDK. This handbook provides tips, procedures, strategies, and guidelines for actively advocating on behalf of schools and education. Kappans can log in and download a PDF version of the Advocacy Handbook free of charge. Interested persons can order bound paper copies online for $6.95 (PDK members, $5.95), plus a processing charge. Paper copies also can be ordered by phoning the PDK Order Department at 1-800-766-1156.

Forums on the Public Schools
Forums on the Public Schools are intended to encourage people at the community level to consider three fundamental questions related to educational purposes, measuring effectiveness, and changes necessary to achieve excellence in the schools. Forums provide a venue to discuss these issues thoughtfully in a small group setting and to try to reach agreement with other participants about the precise nature of these issues.

Partnering for Advocacy
Many education organizations maintain websites that contain tips for effective education advocacy. These organizations also can provide valuable information that will aid in advocacy initiatives. The Center for Education Policy in Washington, D.C., is one. The center receives partial funding from the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation. Others include the National PTA and the Public Education Network (PEN). The links page of this website includes many other organizations. Advocates who try an Internet search on the term advocacy will find additional sources of tips and suggestions.

Grassroots Action
Individuals singly and in groups or chapters can take action and can make a difference, especially when the issue at hand is local and specific. Many, though not all, of the items in the newsroom provide information, ideas, and starting points for grassroots community advocacy initiatives in support of the PDK mission.