Partnership for 21st Century Learning

Bringing Project Management into the School Transformation Conversation

Suggested Text for Outreach to Advocates and Organizations

Involved in Education Transformation

To be used as an e-mail message or letter. Please adapt for your needs.

Dear [NAME(S)],

I am writing as one of a local group of professionals who are very interested in learning more about your important work to address education and career readiness issues in our community. We are members of the [CHAPTER NAME] Chapter of the Project Management Institute, the world's leading not-for-profit professional membership association for the project, program, and portfolio management profession. As stakeholders in the success of our community, we understand that our region's economic future depends on the ability of our schools to produce more graduates who are college-, career-, and citizenship-ready. As project management experts from many fields, we are passionate about educational approaches that support students to learn more deeply as they apply their knowledge to real-world problems. And as parents and community members, we seek to engage with ongoing conversations and build public support to improve education outcomes.

We are working to better understand existing community resources and initiatives, and would appreciate the chance to meet with you in the near future to discuss your organization's work and the coalitions in which you participate. We can also share information about how Project Management Professionals can bring our own expertise to both high-level conversations about transforming education and working with educators in the classroom.

Would it be possible to meet with a small group of us during the week of [DATE]? [ADD'L SCHEDULING INFO, DAYTIME/EVENING AVAILABILITY, ETC.]. We look forward to your response and to speaking with you soon.

Regards,

[NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION]

Partnership for 21st Century Learning

Bringing Project Management into the School Transformation Conversation

Suggested Agenda for Meeting with Advocates and Organizations

Involved in Education Transformation

Please adapt for your needs.

  1. Introductions
  2. Individual introductions
  3. Brief explanation of Project Management, PMI, Chapter background
  1. Mission, activities, and history of the organization or advocate
  2. Perspectives on the current status of educational reform / transformation initiatives and conversations
  3. Organizational initiatives and activities
  4. Existing coalitions and their work
  5. Successes
  6. Lessons
  1. Overview of Project-Based Learning [as needed]
  2. Brief definition and examples of well-designed learning projects
  3. PBL as an important strategy to meet Common Core and other state standards
  1. Project Management Professionals as expert resources for advocates and educators
  2. Other important stakeholders – referrals for further outreach
  3. Next steps