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President Trump’s Cuts to Public Education Undermine Opportunity for All Children

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (March 16, 2017)—Today, President Donald Trump released his budget blueprint for Fiscal Year 2018. The proposal cuts funding for public education programs by $9.2 billion, while including a $250 million investment to expand private school options.

“Opportunity starts and ends with access to a great education. Equitable, high-quality public education for allstudents is essential to children and the nation’s long-term success,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “National PTA is disappointed to see President Trump’s proposal cuts funding for critical public education programs, while investing in private school options. National PTA opposes any private school choice system that drains public school resources. Public dollars must remain invested in public schools for the benefit of all students and the future of our nation.”

“The significant cuts to education in the president’s budget along with the expansion of private school choice programs—which have not been proven to improve student outcomes—mean that, now more than ever, it is imperative to invest in family engagement programs, like the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs),” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, executive director of National PTA. “Family engagement in education has demonstrated benefits to student achievement and school improvement. The SFECs program would empower parents and families with the resources they need to ensure their children are provided the best opportunities to thrive and learn. National PTA hopes funding for the SFEC program will be included in the release of the full budget request in the coming months, and we remain committed to advocating for funding for the program as Congress considers the budget.”

While National PTA is disappointed that President Trump’s budget proposal cuts vital funding for public education overall, the association is pleased to see the president designate an additional $1 billion for Title I—which aids schools with high percentages of children from low-income families—as well as maintain funding of $13 billion for special education grants through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Although these important foundational federal education programs were spared from cuts, we remain concerned about the disinvestment in education that this blueprint lays out.

“Across the country there are great disparities in available resources as well as the quality of and access to educational opportunities,” added President Bay. “It has long been a top priority for National PTA to work with the administration and Congress to ensure robust federal investments are made in public education programs that promote equity and opportunity for all children.”

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

Media Contact

Heidi May Wilson, National PTA

[email protected], (703) 518-1242


JC/DC Action Alert: Family Engagement Center Funding

Family Engagement Centers – The newly enacted Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) includes the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFEC) program, which provides competitive federal grants to statewide organizations to promote and implement evidenced-based family engagement strategies. If the SFEC program is funded, applications for these competitive grants can be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education by statewide organizations such as non-profits or by groups of statewide organizations that have demonstrated involvement in engaging families in their child’s education and experience working with state-level agencies, communities, organizations and schools on family engagement policies and practices. Contact your Senators and Representative today and ask them to support Statewide Family Engagement Centers the FY 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (L-HHS-ED) appropriations bill. Please take a few moments to send a letter to your members of Congress. You can quickly send your letter by clicking here.

 

Thank you,

Carla Wiese

VP and Director of Legislation and Advocacy


National PTA Extremely Disappointed with New ESSA Guidelines

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (March 13, 2017)—The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Laura Bay:

 

“This morning, the U.S. Department of Education released a new guide for states to use in developing their education plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). While ESSA requires meaningful stakeholder engagement, the new guide does not compel states to include a description of how they are engaging and consulting stakeholders in developing their plans.

 

“National PTA is extremely disappointed that stakeholder engagement is no longer prioritized. We have learnedfrom the implementation of other education initiatives that engaging all stakeholders—especially parents—is critical, not optional. Stakeholders, particularly parents, play an essential role in the successful implementation of ESSA and ensuring that all children receive a quality education by providing valuable input and holding states and districts accountable.

 

“The Department of Education must make this a priority through the ESSA plan template so states will make it a priority and truly engage all stakeholders. The expertise and firsthand knowledge of parents, educators, practitioners and others working with, and on behalf of, students every day is critical to inform state and local policies and practices to establish the best education system possible and make sure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

 

“National PTA called on the Department of Education to provide best practices for stakeholder engagement to ensure this occurs as intended in the law. The association has been committed to empowering families to be active participants in the development of state and local plans as well as supporting states, districts and schools in engaging families in the implementation of the law. It remains a top priority of National PTA to ensure all stakeholders are consulted and engaged in the development of education plans and the overall implementation of ESSA.

 

“We’ve made critical progress to improve education, provide educational equity for all children and make sure every child is prepared for long-term success through ESSA. We cannot go backward.”

 

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

 

Media Contact

Heidi May Wilson, National PTA

[email protected], (703) 518-1242


JC/DC ACTION ALERT: Charter Schools

****VOTE SOON*** Please contact your Representative NOW!!

HB 634 is in committee and will come for a committee vote soon.

HB 634 would allow charter schools to operate in any school district in the state.

National and Missouri PTA does recognize and support charter schools when they are public and have to meet all the same evaluation standards that a non- charter public schools must meet. However, Missouri PTA opposes this bill based on the fact that it is allowing the charter schools to be affiliated with non-public organizations and that currently the evaluation for charter schools still does not meet or exceed the expectations of non-charter public schools.

Dear Representative,

As a community we prioritize the education standards of our kids. We have evaluation standards that must be met for public schools to remain accredited.  HB 634 allows for the formation of charter schools in any district in the state. Under this bill these schools could be controlled by non-public organizations. These schools would not have to be held to the same evaluation standards non-charter public schools are held. This would allow for the potential for children to not have the quality of education they receive in Missouri public schools. Missouri PTA is not against charter schools when they are under the control nonprofit organizations not affiliated with non-public sectarian, religious, or home-based school organizations of the local school district with the same standards as public schools. HB 634 fails to meet this requirement.

Please vote no on HB 634.

 

Sincerely,

You name and PTA

Not sure how to contact your state legislators? Click here and insert your street address or 9-digit zip code.

 

Carla Wiese

Vice President & Director of Legislation and Advocacy

[email protected]