Legislative Advocacy
Your Voice Matters
Career and Technical Education (CTE) changes lives. Every day, educators prepare students with the technical knowledge, employability skills, and industry experiences needed to succeed in college, careers, military service, and beyond.
As a CTE educator, administrator, business partner, or supporter, you have a unique perspective on how education policy impacts students, schools, and Michigan’s workforce. Sharing your experiences with elected officials helps them make informed decisions that strengthen CTE programs and expand opportunities for learners across the state.
Advocacy doesn’t require political experience it simply requires a willingness to share your story.
Advocacy Do’s and Don’ts
✔ Do
- Build relationships year-round.
- Be respectful and professional.
- Focus on students and workforce needs.
- Use accurate, current information.
- Thank policymakers for their time.
- Invite collaboration and future conversations.
✖ Don’t
- Assume officials understand CTE.
- Make advocacy partisan or political.
- Overwhelm with excessive data.
- Criticize individuals or political parties.
- Focus only on problems without offering solutions.
- Wait until funding is threatened to begin building relationships.
MI ACTE Advocacy Toolkit
Use the MI ACTE Legislative Toolkit to access practical resources, advocacy tips, and communication tools that will help you effectively engage with policymakers and champion Career and Technical Education across Michigan.
Stay Informed
Effective advocates stay informed about legislation, education policy, workforce trends, and issues affecting Career and Technical Education.
Follow updates from trusted education and workforce organizations, monitor legislative activity, and participate in professional associations that support CTE. Staying engaged throughout the year helps you respond thoughtfully when important policy discussions arise.
Every Conversation Makes a Difference
Advocacy is not about politics it’s about ensuring students have access to high-quality Career and Technical Education that prepares them for successful futures.
Whether you’re inviting a legislator to tour your classroom, sharing a student success story, or discussing workforce needs in your community, your voice helps shape policies that strengthen CTE across Michigan.
The most effective advocates aren’t professional lobbyists, they’re educators, administrators, students, parents, and business leaders who are willing to share the impact of Career and Technical Education, one conversation at a time.
Our Commitment
The commitment of the Michigan Association of Career and Technical Education (MI ACTE) is to partner with all related agencies to provide a one-stop information finding experiences for teachers, administrators, students, parents and business and industry. MI ACTE is committed to the promotion and advocacy for CTE Programs, teachers, and students throughout the State of Michigan.
