Training & Outreach
2,000+
Legislators, parent advocates and parent organizers trained
100+
Fact-finding trips and school visits to learn more about school choice
92%
of legislator training participants gave our fact-finding events an “A” rating
98%
of media training attendees rate our trainers as “excellent” and “good”
EdChoice Experts
Need a speaker for your school choice event? We have you covered. Our roster of experts is available to discuss educational choice from a variety of perspectives at no cost to you. Browse our speaker’s bureau to learn more about our experts and request someone to present at your event.
From Our Perspective
From Our Perspective provides a glimpse into the dialogue around education reform—the conversations, the challenges, the testimonies—that are regularly discussed by growing voices from within the African American community. Stream the theatrical or director’s cut by clicking the link below as well as download discussion guides.
Legislator Training
Every year, we hold several regional summits where experts from all across the country come together to help state senators and representatives understand educational choice policies work, how other states are implementing and regulating them, what the research says and more. Along with inspiring speakers and networking opportunities, our experts also offer customized breakdowns of key education data at the state level.
Fact-Finding Trip
Fact-finding trips take our legislator trainings to the next level. In these special trainings, we take legislators to states with robust educational choice programs, so they can tour schools of choice, meet families who are using choice programs, learn how specific programs affect education on the ground and pick the brains of local community leaders and policymakers who are implementing educational choice every day.
Parent Organizer Training
A parent organizer is a community member who educates, supports and unites parents who advocate for educational choice. Our trainings are aimed at similarly supporting, energizing and equipping parent organizers. We bring in organizers of all levels from across the country to share their campaign best practices and tools of the trade—from recruitment techniques to winning messaging. One of our favorite features? Our inspiring keynote speakers, who—thanks to our intimate approach to training—are able to spend time with each and every one of our attendees.
Parent Advocate Training
We often work with partner groups and parent coalitions in the states to train parent advocates. Parents already have incredible stories to tell, but they often lack experience speaking in front of a camera and to news reporters. They also might be unfamiliar with the vast utility of social media to spread their message and connect with other families who need their support. Our parent advocate trainings connect parents with real reporters and messaging experts, to prepare them for what’s ahead.
Media Training
Once a year, the EdChoice team invites educational choice advocates—from parents to policymakers to communications professionals—to participate in our media training in Indianapolis. Our participants are put to the test in this intense training, where veteran journalists interview them on camera and provide tips for improvement. We also offer beginner and advanced sessions on messaging, pitching stories to editors and social media strategies. By the time our media trainees leave, they report feeling much more comfortable speaking to reporters and empowered to amplify their messages in the loud, ever-changing digital world.
Virtual Training
Now more than ever, we’ve got to be ready to offer our high-quality trainings in an online setting, including livestreams, pre-recorded webinars and digital versions of our most popular research and resources. Contact our Training and Outreach team to learn more.