Arkansas School Boards Association ~ Helping Arkansas School Boards Improve Student Achievement



	ad•vo•ca•cy Pronunciation: '[ad-vuh-kuh-see] the profession or work of an advocate; the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support. Advocacy means the action of working for or supporting a cause or proposal. ASBA uses the term most frequently to refer to the work we all do with the Arkansas General Assembly as it considers bills that will have an effect on our public schools. Education has been a major legislative focus over the last several years. Legislators face many difficult tasks. For example, during a recent legislative session, 3,176 bills were filed—and 73% or 2,325 were passed into law. No matter how conscientious they are or how hard they try, it is virtually impossible for legislators to read every bill. In many instances, information from fellow legislators, constituents, or advocates is key to a legislator’s decision to support or oppose a particular bill. To help you get involved and be an effective advocate for Arkansas public schools, explore the tools, tips, and links on this site. Introduction to the Arkansas Legislative Process For a brief review of the basics of the Arkansas legislative process click here. ASBA Approach to Legislation The Beliefs and Resolutions adopted by the ASBA Delegate Assembly, the policy-making body of the association, embody the principles that guide ASBA's legislative positions. ASBA Legislative Team Find out why we do what we do and how we do it. ASBA has a legislative team that works to represent your views to legislators and to keep you informed during a legislative session. Click here to learn more. What School Board Members Can Do There are many ways that you can advocate for your district. Click here to find out more. Related Links: Legislative Activity Related Downloads (pdf): ASBA Handbook for Arkansas School Board Members Handbook- Chapter 8: Legislation & the Art of Advocacy ASBA Beliefs & Resolutions