National PTA Statement on President Trump’s Address to Congress

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (March 1, 2017)—Last evening, President Donald Trump delivered his first address to Congress, outlining his vision for the country. In the address, President Trump called for the passage of school choice legislation.

National PTA supports educational choices within public schools to meet the needs of all students and believes parents and families should be involved in all aspects of public school choice plans. However, there is a difference between public school choice programs and the use of taxpayer dollars for private school voucher programs.

“National PTA opposes any private school choice system—tax credits, vouchers or deductions—that would drain public school resources. Equitable, high-quality public education for all students is critical to children and the nation’s long-term success,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “Our association has long advocated for high-quality public education. Taxpayer dollars for education must carry the responsibility for providing public access, governance and accountability. National PTA believes public dollars must remain invested in public schools for the benefit of all students. Public education is a vital investment in our children, families and communities that will improve our nation’s economic competitiveness.”

In addition to calling for school choice legislation in his speech, President Trump highlighted his budget blueprint, which would shift $54 billion from domestic programs.

“National PTA is concerned that the budget proposal laid out by the administration will cut critical education programs,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, executive director of National PTA. “Federal investment is crucial to ensuring all children receive a high-quality education that enables them to reach their full potential and make their dreams a reality. Congress must make certain the vital programs that support the education and well-being of every child are protected.”

As has long been a top priority, National PTA remains committed to advocating for investments in programs that promote educational equity and opportunity for all children. The association also continues to call for dedicated funding for family engagement in education.

Specifically, National PTA advocates to:

Fund the Statewide Family Engagement Centers program to help all schools engage more families in their child’s education
Ensure programs that support low-income students and students with special needs receive substantial funding
Invest in programs that provide all students with a well-rounded education that includes access to arts, technology, vocational and advanced education opportunities

“Across the country there are great disparities between available resources as well as the quality of and access to educational opportunities,” added President Bay. “As we have throughout our history, National PTA will work closely with the administration and Congress to ensure investments are made so that all children are provided a high-quality education and every child’s potential becomes a reality.”

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

Bill Testimony on HB274 – Juvenile Justice 2017

JC/DC ACTION ALERT: HB274 – Children in Adult Prisons

HB 274 has been placed on the calendar for the House Judiciary Committee public hearings.

Currently Missouri law incarnates children who have been charged as adults in adult prisons. While they have been charged with serious offences, these children have not yet been convicted of a crime. HB 274 would require children to be prosecuted in juvenile courts unless the child is certified as an adult or is being prosecuted for a traffic or curfew violation. Additionally, the bill specifies that no person under the age of 18 may be detained in an adult jail unless the person has been certified as an adult. Please contact the House Judicial Committee and urge them to SUPPORT HB 274.

Dear Representative,

Children who commit serious crimes should be held accountable for their actions. However, incarcerating children charged, but not convicted, in adult facilities is a sentence in itself. Children are not the same as adults and until they are found guilty should be afforded extra protections. When children are incarcerated in adult prisons they face a dramatically increased danger of sexual assault and have higher risks of suicide. These facilities do not afford children the opportunities of education and rehabilitation services available in the juvenile detention system. Instead of working to rehabilitate these children when their mental development is at its’ capacity to learn we are teaching them to be hardened criminals.

The Missouri Model has long been the national model with regard to state juvenile justice systems. This allowance to house charged but not convicted children with adults is a flaw we need to recognize and correct. Please vote yes on HB 274 to keep kids 17 and younger out of adult prisons.

Sincerely,

You name and PTA

Not sure how to contact the House Judiciary Committee? Click here

Carla Wiese

VP Legislation and Advocacy

Missouri PTA

[email protected]

National PTA Disappointed with Administration’s Rescission of Guidance to Protect Transgender Students

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Feb. 22, 2017)—The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Laura Bay:

“Today, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice sent a letter to the nation’s schools rescinding guidance released in May 2016 on their obligations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) regarding a student’s gender identity. The guidance had stated that a school must not treat a transgender student differently from the way it treats other students of the same gender identity under the law.

“National PTA is extremely disappointed that the Administration has rescinded the guidance. Every child deserves to receive a great education in a setting free from discrimination, harassment and violence. The vast majority of LGBTQ students, however, are bullied, physically assaulted and feel unsafe in school because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or identity. There is a need for explicit protection of LGBTQ youth as it is critical to their overall health and well-being and long-term success.

“National PTA and its constituent associations are committed to advocating for policies and protections for LGBTQ youth to make sure they have positive school experiences and the opportunity to reach their full potential. National PTA adopted a resolution in 2016 on the Recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Individuals as a Protected Class. The resolution calls for federal policies that specifically protect LGBTQ youth and local practices that create and maintain safe, affirming and inclusive learning environments for all students.

“It has long been a top priority of National PTA to make sure all children have a safe, supportive and positive environment in which to thrive and learn. The association remains dedicated to supporting transgender students—as it is every student—and will push for policies and practices to ensure that federal, state and local entities protect 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: Charter Schools **VOTE SOON* Please contact the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education!

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 the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education? Click here.