Decisions made in Washington, D.C., are impacting students here in California.

Now is the time for school leaders to advocate at the national level to protect student interests, preserve local control and produce results for local schools.

Each year, ACSA and the California School Boards Association join forces for Coast2Coast, a federal advocacy conference that gives superintendents, senior school leaders and school board members the opportunity to influence decision-makers in Washington, D.C.

Coast2Coast provides the structure and support for education leaders to engage effectively, offering a unified message, strategic preparation and direct meetings with federal officials and congressional offices.

Federal decisions in 2026 will influence:

In moments like these, California cannot afford to be absent.

“California’s superintendents must raise their voices — loudly and together,” said ACSA President Dr. Daryl Camp. “The decisions made in Washington impact what our students experience every day, and if we don’t tell our stories, someone else will tell them for us. I urge superintendents and cabinet-level leaders to join me on Capitol Hill and advocate not just for your own district, but for every student across California.”

The 2026 Coast2Coast trip will begin with one and a half days of training on education issues specific to California, including insider briefings on the latest politics impacting federal education policy. Participants will take part in special sessions with top influencers and policymakers and have opportunities to network with fellow educators.

The training is followed on Wednesday by an opportunity to advocate directly with congressional representatives and staff on Capitol Hill.

Coast2Coast participants are limited to school board members, superintendents, deputy superintendents, directors and cabinet-level positions.

The future role of the federal government in TK-12 education is being actively debated, including how funding is allocated, how compliance is enforced, and how education priorities are defined at the national level.

Leaders within ACSA and CSBA have identified the following priority topics for advocacy this year:

The Mount Vernon Experience There will also be a pre-conference activity at Mount Vernon, where guests will reflect on how President George Washington’s advocacy for independence shaped the nation’s founding. Groups will experience a private 60-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the mansion and grounds, followed by allocated time for a self-guided exploration of the outbuildings, gardens, tombs, and the slave memorial.

The Mount Vernon Experience takes place on Sunday, April 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Space for this exclusive tour is limited and available only to Coast2Coast attendees. Spouses or partners are also welcome to participate by purchasing a ticket.