Advocacy Resources
Activities
Iowa ACTE is committed to advancing Career and Technical Education in Iowa through active advocacy and engagement. Click the link below to explore how we’re driving change and how you can get involved!
Legislation Sharing – Share legislation with the Iowa ACTE Board of Directors
Advocacy Activities:
- CTE Day at the Capitol – Iowa ACTE coordinates an annual advocacy day at the Capitol in Des Moines
- National Policy Seminar – Iowa ACTE provides an opportunity for student leaders from Iowa CTSOs to travel to Washington, D.C.
- Stakeholder Convenings – Iowa ACTE Board of Directors may provide leadership in convening stakeholder groups at the request of partner organizations
Engage with Legislative Process
We encourage Iowa ACTE members to take an active role in the legislative process by advocating for policies that impact CTE programs, students, and institutions. Your voice is essential in shaping the future of career and technical education in Iowa!
Monitor Status of Iowa Legislation:
To monitor the status of legislation during the legislative session, there are two resources to monitor legislation impacting the education system (secondary and postsecondary):
Iowa Department of Education Bill Tracker – The Education Bill Tracker allows you to review the status of various education-related legislation the DE is monitoring.
Community Colleges for Iowa Bill Tracker – The Bill Tracker allows you to review the status of various education-related legislation Community Colleges for Iowa is monitoring.
Legislative Updates During Iowa Legislature Session:
Legislative Update – Use this link to receive a weekly email newsletter during session from the Department of Education’s policy liaison.
Legislative Action Alerts – Use this link to receive emails throughout session informing stakeholders of enacted legislation requiring the immediate attention of the field.
Community Colleges for Iowa Alerts – Use this link to stay informed about Community Colleges for Iowa grassroots campaigns, events, and advocacy opportunities.
Monitor Federal Legislation:
CTE Policy Watch – This blog is updated regularly by ACTE. Monitor activity at the federal level using this resource.
ACTE Legislative Alerts – Sign up to receive Legislative Alerts from ACTE’s Public Policy department, featuring the latest federal CTE policy news and actions you can take to advocate for CTE.
Contact your Legislators
The Importance of Contacting Legislators
Engaging with legislators is essential to ensuring that Career and Technical Education remains a priority in Iowa. By sharing your experiences, challenges, and successes, you help policymakers understand the real impact of CTE on students, communities, and the workforce. Your voice can influence funding decisions, shape policies, and advocate for the resources needed to strengthen CTE programs. Legislators rely on input from educators, students, and industry leaders to make informed decisions—your advocacy makes a difference!
The Iowa Legislature: Find the names and contact information of your state legislators.
US Congress: Find the names and contact information of your federal legislators.
Writing to Legislators:
Community Colleges for Iowa outlines guidelines and best practices that can be used when writing to legislators.
