Early Learning Challenge Communications Toolkit

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Early Learning Challenge Communications Toolkit

The Department of Education has announced the recipients of the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge (ELC). Even after announcement day has passed, and even if your state has not been selected in this first round, there are ways to use this opportunity to your advantage.

The toolkit is intended to help you plan how to fully leverage the announcement in a way that maintains the momentum you’ve already started. You’ll find here a planning checklist, templates, key messages – for if your state is or is not selected – as well as outreach tactics. We present it to you as a smorgasbord of options, not a “To Do” list. We’ll be adding more resources in the coming weeks to this, so check our website regularly.

Early Learning Challenge Communications Plan Checklist and Tools

☐ Develop background educational materials
State fact sheet template
NEW! Early Learning Challenge infographic
NEW! Early Learning Challenge backgrounder
UPDATED! State resources at a glance
RTT- ELC fact sheet
RTT-ELC FAQs

Tip! Highlight 1) Key ways the process has already resulted in system improvements and 2) Innovative approaches in your state's application that ELC will fund (and if not selected, that your state would implement with future ELC funding)

State highlights
Georgia website, with video, summary and application
Sample materials from Washington, with "fast facts," video, newsletters
Colorado executive summary
Sample materials from Maine

☐ Identify key media and outlet contacts for news opportunities in your state, include print, broadcast and blogs

Tips for working with the media

☐ Finalize key messages and talking points

Messaging the Early Learning Challenge – General framing

Message points template - If your state is selected

Message points template - If your state is not selected in this round

☐ Conduct pre-release meetings with editorial boards and reporters

Editorial board timing and tips

☐ Educate federal lawmakers by letter or meeting

Congressional contacts by state

Sample letter to federal legislators

☐ Position your work pre-announcement with a blog post or letter to the editor

☐ Identify spokespersons from among your partners/supporters provide media training if needed

☐ Develop quick activation checklist plan for announcement day

☐ Draft press release

Press release template – if your state is selected

Press release template – If your state is not selected in this round

☐ Activate your network via social media, by sending a draft press release to allies, or with a letter to the editor

Tip! Distribute links of news clips post announcement, encourage comment

☐ Write an Op-Ed

☐ Compile and post news coverage on your website
NEW! Early Learning Challenge announcement week clips compilation