How You Can Support the DREAM Act
An important strategy in building a broad base of public support is getting high school and college educational institutions to formally support passage of policies such as the DREAM Act through a formal resolution.
LEAP is suggesting that local DREAM Act Leadership Teams, composed of students and adults, be formed to carry out the strategy. These teams can and probably should be relatively small groups. To the extent possible, students should be prepared to take leadership in the activities below. The intent is to provide practical experiences for students to learn leadership and public engagement skills while educating others about the relevance and benefits of the DREAM Act.
The steps we suggest for approaching local school districts and colleges are the following:
- At least one adult and one student should request a meeting with the school district superintendent, or the president of the college or university. When you call his/her office to schedule an appointment, let his/her secretary/scheduler know you would like to meet to discuss an important educational issue that pertains to undocumented students, and that you have a request to make and would like to present materials to the superintendent or president that explains the issue.
- When you meet with the superintendent or president, briefly explain the issue and then request to have a resolution presented for the governing board’s consideration and approval.
At this meeting, leave the following materials:
The superintendent or president will likely say s/he will discuss the request with the president of the board at a minimum, and then get back to you.
- If you receive word that the issue will be placed on the board’s agenda at a subsequent meeting, they will let you know how much time to make a brief presentation—likely 10 minutes or so. This probably will not allow for a PowerPoint, but rather a brief presentation of the issue.
In addition, one or two very short personal stories of students in the school district or college who would be affected by the DREAM Act should be told (by someone other than an undocumented student). In other words, here is an opportunity to personalize and “put a face” on the issue.
Using personal stories
When providing personal stories, we recommend that you refrain from using names or announcing anyone’s legal status.
Here is a type of story that you can use:
Maria came to the U.S. with her parents at age 2 and is:
- the youngest of 7 children;
- the first in her family who will be attending college;
- a daughter of farm workers who have migrated to several states to work in agriculture for 12 years;
- a member of the school choir and band;
- tutors young children in Sunday school;
- graduating 5th in her class, with a 3.5 GPA;
- received several academic and community service awards;
- wants to become a bilingual teacher;
- her family can’t afford the cost of college so she knows she must work to attend college.
Contact LEAP for any additional DREAM Act materials or support at info@leapwa.org
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