The Toolkit
CAMPAIGN TOOLKIT
Everything You Need to Start Advocating — Right Now
THE TOOLKIT
Everything You Need to Start Advocating — Right Now.
The 40 by 40 advocacy toolkit was built for state school board associations and the school districts they serve. It is free, comprehensive, and designed so that any district regardless of size, staff capacity, or prior advocacy experience can use it.
Every piece of material in this toolkit is customizable. Add your state's numbers, your district's name, and your own story. You will be ready to engage with your community, your school board, and your congressional delegation with a unified national message.
Grassroots Mobilization
The foundation of the campaign. These materials help local voices be heard by the people who need to hear them most.
Talking Points — Ready-to-use language for school board meetings, community presentations, and conversations with legislators. Covers the history of the promise, the local impact, the ask, and the closing message.
Presentation Outline — A customizable slide-by-slide outline for a full advocacy presentation. Designed for flexibility, you can pick the slides that fit your audience and your story.
Sample Board Resolution — A complete, ready-to-adopt resolution urging Congress to fulfill the 40 percent IDEA commitment. Customizable with your district's name, state, and local funding gap data.
One-Minute Video Scripts — Three versions: one for superintendents, one for school board chairs, and one for parents. Short, direct, and designed for congressional offices, local media, and social sharing.
Media and Press
Tools to get your message into local newspapers, on radio, and in front of your community.
Sample Press Release — A customizable press release announcing your district's or state association's participation in the 40 by 40 campaign.
Local Op-Ed Template — A complete op-ed ready to be adapted with your name, your district's numbers, and your local story. Designed for submission to local and regional newspapers.
Congressional Outreach
Materials designed specifically for direct engagement with your federal delegation.
Letter to Congress — A formal letter template for submission to U.S. Senators and Representatives. Customizable with district-specific funding gap data and your local impact story.
Leave-Behind Copy — A two-page document designed to be left with congressional staff after a meeting. Covers the promise, the gap, the local impact, and the ask — concisely and clearly.
Sample Congressional Testimony — A full testimony template for use at congressional hearings or formal briefings. Adaptable for superintendents, board members, or state association representatives.
Dedicated Week of Action
A complete seven-day coordinated mobilization plan. Day by day, action by action. Designed to generate maximum visibility and constituent contact in a concentrated window of time. Includes a full schedule, recommended daily actions, and coordination guidance for state associations managing multiple districts.
Day 1: Launch & Awareness Day
Day 2: District Storytelling Day
Day 3: Media and Public Engagement Day
Day 4: Social Media Storm Day
Day 5: Community Engagement Day
Day 6: Congressional Contact Day
Day 7: Reflection, Gratitude, and Next Steps
Social Media
Ready-to-use content for platforms your district and community members already use.
Core Message Series
Equity and Impact Series
Call-to-Action Series
Hashtag guide: #FundIDEA #40By2040 #IDEAPromise
Background and Supporting Information
The sourcing and data behind every claim in the toolkit is here so your advocacy is grounded, credible, and defensible.
Historical IDEA funding data (1981–2025), sourced from the Congressional Research Service
Key national statistics and citations
Legislative history of IDEA and the 40 percent commitment
Not sure where to start?
If your school board is new to this campaign, we recommend beginning with the Talking Points and the Sample Board Resolution. If your state association is coordinating a statewide effort, start with the Week of Action plan and the Congressional Outreach materials.