Let’s Get This Conversation Started - Strategies, Tools, Examples and Resources to Help States Engage with Stakeholders to Develop and Implement their ESSA Plans - June 2016

Sep 12, 2026

June 2016 guide from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) offering practical strategies, tools, examples, and resources for states to engage stakeholders while developing and implementing ESSA plans. ESSA enables education leaders to refine accountability, funding, school improvement, and grant-making systems through structured outreach and stakeholder input. The guide outlines goal clarification, partner collaboration, audience-focused communication, multiple engagement vehicles, ambassador selection, timely and ongoing communication, and converting new connections into long-term relationships, supported by planning tools and checklists.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Stakeholder Engagement Checklist

Part I: Getting Started

Clarify your goals

Work with partner organizations to identify and engage with your stakeholders

Part II: Engagement Best Practices

Speak to your audience

Use multiple vehicles

Identify your best ambassadors

Ask for input before decisions are made, and use it

Keep your materials simple and brief

Communicate early and often

Part III: Sustaining Engagement

Keep your team informed

Turn these new connections into long-term relationships

Planning Tools

Timeline (July 2016-Jan 2017)

Timeline (Feb-August 2017)

Influencer Map

Relationship Map

Action Plan

List of Stakeholders for ESSA Engagement

Additional Resources

Let’s Get This Conversation Started: Strategies, Tools, Examples and Resources to Help States Engage with Stakeholders to Develop and Implement their ESSA Plans June 2016 THE COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public. Let’s Get This Conversation Started: Strategies, Tools, Examples and Resources to Help States Engage with Stakeholders to Develop and Implement their ESSA Plans COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS Tony Evers (Wisconsin), President Chris Minnich, Executive Director We are grateful to our partners at the following organizations for their help in developing this guide: AASA, The School Superintendents Association, American Federation of Teachers, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of State Boards of Education, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Education Association, National Governors Association, National Indian Education Association, National PTA, National School Boards Association, National Urban League, Partners for Each and Every Child Council of Chief State School Officers One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20001-1431 Phone (202) 336-7000 Fax (202) 408-8072 [www.ccsso.org](www.ccsso.org) Copyright © 2016 by the Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, DC All rights reserved Contents Overview ...........................................................................................................................................4 Stakeholder Engagement Checklist .....................................................................................................6 Part I: Getting Started ........................................................................................................................9 1. Clarify your goals............................................................................................................................... 9 2. Work with partner organizations to identify and engage with your stakeholders......................... 10 Part II: Engagement Best Practices....................................................................................................11 3. Speak to your audience................................................................................................................... 11 4. Use multiple vehicles ...................................................................................................................... 13 5. Identify your best ambassadors...................................................................................................... 14 6. Ask for input before decisions are made, and use it ...................................................................... 15 7. Keep your materials simple and brief ............................................................................................. 16 8. Communicate early and often ........................................................................................................ 17 Part III: Sustaining Engagement ........................................................................................................18 9. Keep your team informed ....................................................................

FAQs

What does the guide help states do regarding ESSA plans?

It provides strategies, tools, examples, and resources to help states engage stakeholders while developing and implementing their ESSA plans.

Which early steps does the guide recommend for effective stakeholder engagement?

It recommends clarifying goals and working with partner organizations to identify and engage stakeholders.

How does the guide suggest sustaining stakeholder engagement over time?

It emphasizes keeping the team informed and turning new connections into long-term relationships, supported by planning tools such as timelines, maps, and an action plan.

Sep 12, 2026

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