ACSA, in collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), remains actively engaged in federal and state legislative advocacy amid the ongoing challenges surrounding education funding and policy formulation.

As part of these efforts, a delegation of California school principals and education leaders participated in the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference, held from March 10–13 in Washington, D.C. The delegation was accompanied by three student representatives from the National Association of Student Councils. This initiative underscores a steadfast commitment to advancing education policy and securing financial resources to support California students, educators and school communities.

The ACSA delegation consisted of:

Kerry Dees (Region 5), principal, Green Hills Elementary School, Millbrae Elementary SD, ACSA Region Elementary Council, and NAESP liaison. Dr. John Schilling (Region 10), superintendent/principal, Southside Elementary School District, and ACSA Elementary Education Council president. Christine Moore (Region 16), principal, Luther Burbank Middle School, LAUSD, and ACSA Middle Grades Education Council president. Dr. Terri Daniels (Region 3), principal, Folsom Middle School, Folsom-Cordova USD, and NASSP’s California state coordinator. Derrick Lawson (Region 19), principal, Indio High School, Desert Sands USD, and NASSP Board member. Diana Vu, ACSA legislative advocate.

Engagement with legislators on Capitol Hill serves as a vital mechanism for ensuring that the perspectives of ACSA members are effectively communicated to policymakers. Such discussions play a pivotal role in shaping funding allocations and counteracting legislative and executive actions that may impact public education.

“As we look at Education Policy and how it is administered, the opportunity to amplify the stories of and impact upon the students we are responsible for is invaluable as we advocate for their support and success,” Lawson said. “We cannot abdicate this important role of advising and informing policymakers who are not the education experts.”

Key educational priorities addressed during recent meetings with California legislators included:

“This was such an important year for us to be sharing our voices in support of public education on Capitol Hill. Sharing the experiences we face on our campuses each day is critical for our lawmakers to understand,” Daniels said. “I am proud to be part of the California delegation and to represent our state in such a meaningful way. It truly is a powerful way of getting the voice of principals heard at the national level.”

These advocacy efforts are integral to fostering equitable and effective educational policies that support student achievement and institutional sustainability at the state and federal levels.

“Attending the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference equipped me with the essential tools to effectively meet with our state representatives and members of Congress,” Dees said. “Our public schools urgently need increased funding and support from both the national and state levels. Our collective efforts will lead to positive decisions that directly benefit our students.”

Summary of the president’s education initiatives During the presentation segment of the National School Leadership Advocacy Conference, Scott Palmer, managing partner and co-founder of EducationCounsel, provided an overview of the education policy initiatives advanced by the Trump administration. The key areas of focus included the following:

These policy measures reflect significant shifts in federal education priorities and underscore the evolving role of the federal government in K-12 and higher education.