Challenge
Colorado ranks near the bottom of states in education funding, which has caused a growing teacher shortage.Our client, the Colorado Education Association, challenged us to create the right messaging and communications that would move policy makers and address the funding gap.
Strategy
dovetail solutions was a key part of the team in the planning sessions that developed the message and conducted research into how much teachers spend out of pocket. The ultimate goal was to draw as many people to the state capitol as possible during a series of Lobby Days during the legislative session. We prepared the speakers and media spokespeople and managed the media tent during the Days of Action.
Results
The Lobby Days moved public opinion and had a big impact on education policy. They were the biggest rallies around education funding to ever happen in Colorado with over 20,000 educators marching on the capitol over three days. There were over 250 news articles about the rally in the local and national press. As a result, the legislature passed numerous pro education bills including $225 million more into education funding.