Advocate for Educational Research in Congress

Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY/ZIP CODE]. I'm calling to urge [REP NAME] to protect funding for the Institute of Education Sciences in the upcoming Labor-HHS appropriations bill. IES funds the research that tells us what actually works in classrooms — cuts would set back evidence-based education by years. Please vote to maintain or increase IES funding. Thank you.

Hi, I'm [YOUR NAME], a constituent from [CITY], and I'd like to share a concern with [REP NAME]'s office. I'm a [teacher / parent / researcher / school administrator] and I want to talk about NSF's education research division. This funding supports studies that directly improve how we teach math, reading, and STEM — including programs in our own community. I'm asking [REP NAME] to support robust funding for NSF's education programs and to oppose any cuts to the research infrastructure that our schools depend on. Can you tell me where the Representative currently stands on education research funding? [PAUSE — let staffer respond, note the answer] Thank you. I'll be following up in writing as well.

Hi, I'm [YOUR NAME] from [CITY]. I'm calling because Representative/Senator [NAME] sits on the [Appropriations / HELP / Education & Workforce] Committee, which gives them real influence over education research budgets. I'm urging them to use that position to champion funding for evidence-based education research — specifically the Institute of Education Sciences and NSF's STEM education programs. These programs have a proven return on investment. States like ours benefit directly from the research they fund. Please record my support for maintaining and growing this funding. Thank you.

Subject: Please protect education research funding — constituent from [CITY] Dear Representative [LAST NAME], I am writing as a constituent from [CITY, STATE ZIP] to urge you to support robust funding for federal education research in the upcoming appropriations cycle. The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and NSF's education research programs are the backbone of evidence-based teaching in America. They fund the studies that tell educators what works — from early literacy interventions to STEM curriculum design. Cuts to these programs don't just affect researchers; they affect every child in every classroom whose teacher relies on evidence-based practices. As a [parent / educator / researcher / concerned citizen] in your district, I am asking you to: • Oppose any cuts to IES funding in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill • Support NSF education research at or above current levels • Cosponsor legislation that expands access to education research data I would welcome a brief meeting with a member of your staff to discuss this further. Thank you for your service and your attention to this issue. Sincerely, [YOUR FULL NAME] [ADDRESS] [PHONE / EMAIL]

Subject: Education research funding — request from [YOUR NAME], [CITY] Dear Senator [LAST NAME], I am reaching out as a constituent and [your role] to express strong support for sustained federal investment in education research, and to ask for your leadership on this issue in the Senate HELP Committee. Why this matters now: The Institute of Education Sciences is the federal government's primary education research agency. It currently operates on a budget of approximately $800 million — a modest sum given that the U.S. spends over $750 billion annually on K-12 education. Research that helps even marginally improve outcomes has enormous return on investment. NSF's education programs similarly fund foundational work in STEM learning that drives long-term workforce development and economic competitiveness. My specific asks: 1. Maintain IES funding at or above FY2024 levels 2. Support the reauthorization of the Education Sciences Reform Act 3. Oppose any moves to restructure education research agencies in ways that reduce their independence I am happy to connect you with researchers, educators, and administrators in [STATE] who can speak to the direct local impact of this work. Thank you for your leadership. Respectfully, [YOUR NAME] [CITY, STATE, ZIP]