Advocacy Tools for FCS Secondary School Educators

Looking for tangible ways to demonstrate the value of your FCS secondary school program? AAFCS is here to help with these useful tools and tips.

Fact Sheet for FCS Secondary School Programs
Originally developed by AAFCS President Marilyn R. Swierk, CFCS, former AAFCS National Teacher of the Year, this sheet provides relevant statistics, background information, and examples of what is accomplished in FCS programs.

FCS Showcase Editions of the Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
Articles from educators in these two issues show how FCS classes integrate and support the core curriculum, train for FCS careers, and give students the critical life management skills they need.

Family and Consumer Sciences in Secondary Schools: Results of a National Survey Published in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, this article provides national statistics on FCS secondary school programs.

Bibliography from FCS Effectiveness Study
Lists studies and reports relevant to the effectiveness of FCS secondary education. For each article, the bibliography summarizes the purpose of the study, research methodology, and findings.

AAFCS Pre-Professional Assessment and Certification (Pre-PAC) Program
Learn how participating in the AAFCS Pre-PAC program can help you meet Federal funding mandates and increase the credibility of your program.

Members-Only Benefit
AAFCS members may request a letter of support for their program by sending an email to membership@aafcs.org. This letter is signed by AAFCS national leaders.

Not an AAFCS member? Join today!

Additional Tips
AAFCS President Marilyn R. Swierk, CFCS, has suggested additional tips below to help you support your FCS program. When using these strategies, be sure your message emphasizes that FCS education integrates and supports the core curriculum, provides FCS career preparation, and develops critical life management skills.

Use statistics whenever possible.
Urge all FCS teachers in your city or state to provide support.
Ask parents and students to demonstrate support for your program via phone calls, letters, etc.
Get former students who have benefited from your classes to provide testimonials.
Utilize the connections made through the partnerships you’ve formed with community businesses, agencies, hospitals, community action programs, etc. Most contacts are usually willing to write a letter about the value of your program.
The testimony of any of the above at PTA or school board meetings is important and powerful.
Consider which other programs/educators are under consideration for elimination. You may need to explore gender equity issues if it's just FCS.
Go to your unions and see what they can do.
Call your local legislators and convince them of the need for FCS.
Highlight your students’ involvement in service learning or get them involved if they are not already. President Obama’s administration is stressing this and it’s a way to help FCS shine!
Share your survival ideas with AAFCS Community of Elementary, Secondary & Adult Education members in the online Community Portal so that others may benefit from and build on them.
Form an AAFCS Community related to saving programs. Members from around the country can work together to develop strategies to keep FCS alive and well.
Having an FCCLA chapter can strengthen your FCS program. FCCLA members often bring positive publicity to the FCS program at their school through many service projects and other activities, as well as the honors they often receive in competitions. If you are not an FCCLA advisor, please think about how it might enhance your program
Use every opportunity possible to gain public awareness for your program, such as school showcase windows, bulletin boards, school yearbook, and articles and features in the school, local, and state media outlets. This also provides a great opportunity for students to become experts in photography and writing press releases.

If you would also like to receive a letter of support written from a former teacher’s perspective, contact Marilyn Swierk at msinnovate@aol.com.