In order to advocate for new policies that will give principals the tools they need to function as effective school leaders, K-8 educators from around the nation gathered for a conference in the nation’s capital to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

During Federal Relations Conference, which took place Feb. 7-8 in Alexandria, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., participants met with legislators to discuss the principal’s role in federal law, specifically protecting principals’ critical and unique role as the primary catalysts for shaping long-term school improvement, promoting principals’ vision for education reform, and preserving the principalship through high-quality professional development, especially for early career principals.

NAESP members Celia Fleischman and Scot Clayton, both of Texas, review NAESP’s policy priorities to prepare for their Capitol Hill visits.	Jim Chesnutt of Alabama shares his small group's brainstorm on relating principals' professional experiences to federal legislation.