ATPE Member Advocate Program (ATPE-MAP)
Elevate your advocacy skills while earning CPE credit!
Texas public schools need strong advocates. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your skills, ATPE can help with flexible, personalized training and advocacy opportunities tailored to your interests—and easy to fit into an educator’s busy schedule.
How ATPE-MAP works
The first step is to take the Introduction to Advocacy Course (1.5 hours CPE credit). Then, you’ll choose one of two microcredential pathways—or complete both if you’re feeling really inspired:
Local Advocacy (1.5 hours CPE credit) equips you with the skills and strategies for engaging with leaders on your campus, at the central office, and on the school board, as well as with community organizations and local media.
State-Level Advocacy (1.5 hours CPE credit) focuses on advocating at the State Capitol and with state agencies and boards. Completing this pathway is a prerequisite to attend ATPE’s Capitol Expeditions during the legislative session (see below for details).
All ATPE-MAP courses can be completed online on your own schedule via the ATPE Professional Learning Portal. To get started, log in with your membership credentials, select “Browse Catalog,” and then search for “Member Advocate Program” under the Advocacy & Legislation category.
Master Advocate Program
Members who have already completed the State-Level Advocacy Microcredential are eligible to earn the prestigious Master Advocate Program credential. This distinction recognizes your efforts to put your advocacy skills into action.
To earn this designation, you must:
- Complete an additional ATPE-MAP module. The current option is the Local Advocacy Microcredential, but new modules on elections, media training, and PAC fundraising are coming soon.
- Participate in three live advocacy activities. This could involve attending an ATPE Capitol Expedition or legislative meeting, hosting a legislator on your campus, submitting testimony to a legislative committee or agency, serving on an agency committee, or volunteering for a campaign. See this PDF for ideas.
- Submit the MAP Master Advocate Activity report form. You’ll share a brief summary of your activity along with supporting documents or photos.
- Engage in one direct, substantive interaction with your Texas House or Senate member regarding ATPE’s legislative priorities.
Once earned, your ATPE Master Advocate designation will be active for two years, then you may renew it by completing a legislative refresher module through the ATPE Professional Learning Portal.
Join us for Capitol Expeditions!
Capitol Expeditions is ATPE’s new approach to in-person member advocacy at the Texas Capitol. This series of smaller, more personal advocacy events offers our member advocates the opportunity to testify at hearings, visit legislators, and shape the future of public education in Texas—and you’ll be guided by the ATPE Governmental Relations team every step of the way. This targeted approach is one of the most effective ways to change education policy.
What to expect with the typical 2027 Capitol Expedition:
- Arrive in Austin on Tuesday in time for dinner with the rest of your expedition team. This time will serve as an icebreaker and an opportunity for the ATPE lobby team to brief you on Tuesday’s activities.
- On Wednesday, you’ll attend Capitol meetings and relevant committee hearings, with the ATPE Governmental Relations office next to the State Capitol as your convenient home base.
- Following a debrief, you can head home or back to the hotel, depending on your travel needs.
- ATPE will cover your travel costs, so the only investment is your time!
Together, through ATPE-MAP, we can navigate the path to positive change for Texas public education! If you have questions, please contact ATPE Governmental Relations at government@atpe.org.