Sample email for School Districts
Below is a sample email you can send to your district coordinators to help promote Speak Up. We suggest that the district coordinator customize the message with the following:

• Name of school district
• How the school district will use the data
• Why it is important for them to participate
• Any notes about Speak Up events in the school district
• A personal note of encouragement to join in

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Students, Teachers, Parents and Administrators Speak Up!
Open October 27th – December 23rd, 2008

Our school district is participating in Speak Up 2008, a national research project facilitated annually by Project Tomorrow, a national nonprofit organization in Irvine, CA. We are using Speak Up to collect the views of our students, parents, teachers and administrators about key educational issues regarding technology, 21st century skills, schools of the future and science education. In February, we will receive the survey results and use the information to inform our discussions and decisions about curriculum, professional development and budgeting priorities.

This year’s topics include:

• Technology usage in and out of the classroom
• Science Education and career exploration
• 21st Century skills: information and media literacy
• Emerging Trends: digital content, broadband access and policy, online learning
• Designing the 21st century school

School districts from across the United States and a few international schools participate in Speak Up regularly. Since inception, the Speak Up process has collected and shared the views of over 1.2 million students, parents, teachers and administrators from all 50 states. In addition to serving our local needs, the Speak Up findings are released through a Congressional Briefing in Washington, DC and various speaking engagements across the country.

Our district has committed to having at least 10% of our students and teachers take the online survey. This is a great opportunity for students, teachers, administrators and parents to join in both the local and national dialogue about significant and timely issues impacting education today.

Details:

* Survey is open October 27 – December 23, 2008

* Visit www.netdayspeakup.org/speakup2008/ to take the survey, it will take about 15 minutes

* Complete the survey only once

* Enter your school name, and the state (to narrow the search), click Find School

* Select your school and enter the secret word: __________

* Visit the Speak Up How-to guide (http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/speak_up_faq.html) for ideas on how to promote the Speak Up event at your school. You can print out a flyer to post at your school or use our email text to send reminders to your teachers.

It's quick, easy and 100% anonymous and free.

Thank you and we look forward to your participation.