Talking to Lawmakers about Early Childhood Research

Want to brief lawmakers on new findings or policy options? Our elected officials have little time to investigate a lot of topics in depth, so come prepared to grab their attention and provide them with good one or two-page summaries. Jack Tweedie, of the National Conference of State Legislatures, says: "Talk to them like you would to your mother or brother, not your dissertation advisor. In writing, use plain language, graphs, and illustrations. Real-life examples that demonstrate conclusions are best." Learn more in the spring 2004 issue of the Harvard Family Research Project.