Gaining recognition as a student leadership organization

[jlmcmchl]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Since gaining this recognition is tied to federal and state funding, I think FIRST as a national organization needs to be more active on this front. We want to help, but don't know where to start with this one.

Here's the most direct way your team can impact FIRST's visibility in the capital. It continues to be a prime opportunity for teams to contact their representatives so they vote favorably on topics relevant to FRC teams, STEM and Eduacation. When I was a student, renewing No Child Left Behind was one of the big topics. Other mentors to the team would gladly enlighten you on our agenda this year.

[YAK'ker]

Originally Posted by jlmcmchl

Here's the most direct way your team can impact FIRST's visibility in the capital. It continues to be a prime opportunity for teams to contact their representatives so they vote favorably on topics relevant to FRC teams, STEM and Eduacation. When I was a student, renewing No Child Left Behind was one of the big topics. Other mentors to the team would gladly enlighten you on our agenda this year.

While I would agree with you on this, it's also true that we are losing support for FIRST because it's not part of the national education agenda. If it can't be tested, it's just "fluff" and nonessential. This is where our FIRST executive folks need to get in and push hard.

Our own school district is facing a massive shortfall this year, due to increased mandated testing and all-day kindergarten requirements. We lost our DECCA program years ago, now our high school is rejecting our FIRST robotics team, closing our woodshop and drafting programs, and giving up on almost all vocational skill building classes.

It's ironic because they are going for GEAR-UP money to push college for everyone. They don't see that programs like FIRST give students exposure to interests they wouldn't pique otherwise.