JC/DC Action Alert: Veto SB590

JC/DC ACTION ALERT: Veto SB590

Governor Nixon should veto SB 590 , a bill the Missouri legislature recently passed to address sentences for children under 18 convicted of homicide crimes. Because of recent United States Supreme Court cases, existing Missouri law was unconstitutional and the Missouri Supreme Court created a temporary solution until the Missouri legislature acted. Advocates, including the Missouri PTA, had been working closely with legislators to support HB 1995, a bill that would have given all children a chance at review by the parole board. While HB 1995 wouldn’t guarantee release to anyone, it recognized that children should be treated differently in the adult criminal justice system and that no child should be sentenced to die in prison. Despite these ongoing discussions, in the last two days of the legislative session, several legislators had rushed, closed-door negotiations and passed SB 590 without consulting any advocates. This bill allows for life-without-parole sentences for children under 18 and sentences them to harsh mandatory minimums. Governor Nixon should veto SB 590 because it’s harmful to Missouri’s children and is out of line with adolescent brain development research, which demonstrates that children can be rehabilitated. SB 590 moves in the opposite direction of national trends that acknowledge children deserve second chances and will likely be challenged as unconstitutional.

Dear Governor Nixon,

Governor Nixon, please veto SB 590. On behalf of the Missouri PTA, we believe that all children have the potential to grow and change. No child should be sentenced to die in prison without any opportunity for review. After historically being considered a leader in juvenile justice, SB 590 would make Missouri lag behind our neighbors in Iowa, Kansas, and Kentucky and states like Texas and West Virginia. As every parent and teacher knows, teenagers make mistakes, some of which are devastating, but these mistakes shouldn’t condemn them to a life in prison without any hope. Thank you for vetoing SB 590.

Sincerely,

You name and PTA

You can contact Governor Nixon through this page.

National PTA Disappointed with Senate’s Continued Inaction on Gun Violence Prevention Measures

National PTA Disappointed with Senate’s Continued Inaction on Gun Violence Prevention Measures

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (June 20, 2016)—Today, the U.S. Senate considered four amendments to the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill aimed at reducing gun violence. All four amendments were defeated.

“National PTA is extremely disappointed with the Senate’s failure to reach bipartisan consensus and act on measures that would actively address gun violence prevention,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “It is critical that members of Congress work together to enact common-sense legislative solutions to help make communities safer nationwide and protect children and families.”

National PTA has a strong history of supporting and advocating for laws and regulations in the areas of gun safety and violence prevention. For decades, the association has called on Congress and other elected officials to work collaboratively and make meaningful changes to prevent and eliminate violence in schools and communities.

National PTA has long believed that we need to:

Require universal background checks for the sale and possession of firearms
Limit the availability of high-capacity magazines
Re-enact a federal ban on the sale and possession of military-style assault weapons
Provide adequate resources to increase access to comprehensive mental health services

“Our country has experienced far too many gun-related tragedies. Eliminating gun violence in communities, schools and homes is a critical priority for all parents, families, educators and students,” said Shannon Sevier, vice president of advocacy for National PTA. “Our number one task as a nation should be to protect our children and families. It’s urgent that meaningful changes are made to ensure everyone has a safe environment to live, work, learn and thrive.”

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.

National PTA Disappointed in Senate FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill

National PTA Disappointed in Senate FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (June 9, 2016)—Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed a spending bill that would fund labor, health and human services and education programs for Fiscal Year 2017. The bill now moves to the Senate floor.

“National PTA is extremely disappointed that the Statewide Family Engagement Centers program is not funded in the bill,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “For years, PTA members and families nationwide have been advocating for the prioritization of family engagement in education, as it is proven to advance children’s learning and growth, increase student achievement and positively impact school improvement efforts.”

The Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) program is included in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the new law governing the federal role in K-12 education. The SFEC program will provide states and districts with the capacity to support implementation and enhancement of meaningful family engagement policies and initiatives. It will also deliver much-needed professional development for educators and school leaders to strengthen family-school partnerships and parent-teacher relationships. Additionally, SFECs will provide direct services to families to arm them with tools to effectively work with their child’s school to improve their child’s academic outcomes and overall well-being.

Congress recognized the vital role family engagement plays in education and student success by including the SFECs program in ESSA. However, the program is one of only a handful of programs in ESSA that is not funded in the Senate appropriations bill.

“On both sides of the aisle, members of Congress talk about the importance of family engagement, but an actual investment in SFECs is critical to ensure that families are meaningfully engaged in all aspects of a child’s educational continuum,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “If policymakers are truly serious about the essential role of parents and families in a child’s education and long-term success then where is the dedicated funding toward that end?”

About National PTA

Media Contact

Heidi May Wilson, National PTA

[email protected], (703) 518-1242

Coalition Urges Congress to Support Family-Engagement Centers

PTA Leaders,

Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bipartisan Labor, Health and Human Services and Education funding bill by a vote of 29 to 1. Unfortunately, the bill did not include funding for the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs), however Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) spoke during the markup about the importance of family engagement and the need to fund the program.

While we are disappointed that SFEC funding was not included in this bill, there are still opportunities to influence the appropriations process moving forward. Because of your tremendous advocacy, family engagement and SFECs are receiving lots of attention in the media! See the piece below published by K-12 Parents and the Public blog on SFECS.

National PTA will also be issuing a statement later today on the bill.

Thank you all for your efforts including all the social media you have pushed out over of the last few days! You have generated a lot of interested and attention on family engagement and SFECs. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you to make sure Congress invests in family engagement!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Jacki

Coalition Urges Congress to Support Family-Engagement Centers

By Sarah Tully on June 9, 2016 9:35 AM | No comments

A group of 83 state and national organizations is urging Congress to financially support family centers that were approved as part of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

The coalition sent a June 6 letter to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, asking that at least $10 million be given to fund Statewide Family Engagement Centers. The Senate Committee on Appropriations is next set to consider the bill on Thursday, June 9.

The bill currently does not include any funding for the centers. President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2017 budget proposal also did not include any money for the centers.

The coalition includes national groups, such as United Way International and the National Council of La Raza, as well as state Parent Teacher Associations.

“Our organizations believe that an investment in [the centers] is critical to ensuring that families are meaningfully supported and engaged in their child’s education so they can support our nation’s students in becoming fully prepared for higher education and careers,” the letter states.

Within ESSA, Congress authorized the $10 million amount annually for the centers, which would provide grants to states to support family engagement policies and programs.

The previous federal law, the No Child Left Behind Act, at first gave up to $40 million for such centers, which were then called Parent Information and Resource Centers. But after the money ran out, only three states continued with their centers with other funding sources.

See the Education Week story about community and parent engagement in ESSA, including the Statewide Family Engagement Centers.

In addition to the coalition, some members of Congress also have urged their colleagues to support the centers. See a March letter from 22 senators and a letter from 38 representatives.

Follow ESSA funding issues, including this blog post about a subcommittee’s June 7 meeting, in thePolitics K-12 blog.

Sarah Tully at [email protected].

Follow @ParentAndPublic for the latest news on schools and parental involvement.

Jacki Ball | Director, Government Affairs

National PTA^®

1250 N. Pitt Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

P: (703) 518-1243 | C: (703) 405-5206

[email protected] | www.pta.org | @balljacki

K-12 Parents and the Public

URGENT National PTA, “PTA Takes Action” Action Alert

Unfortunately, the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) program was NOT funded in the Senate Labor, HHS & Education (LHHS-ED) FY2017 subcommittee appropriations bill today. Call your senator to tell him/her to fund the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) in Fiscal Year 2017. Some of you may have called your senator earlier this week but we need you to call again!

The full Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on Thursday, June 9 to fund education programs.

Before 5pm on Wednesday, June 8, call your senator and tell him/her to support funding for the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) grant program to make sure families are equal partners in their child’s education!

President Barack Obama (US)
(202) 456-1111 (Capitol)

Vice President Joe Biden (US)
(202) 456-1111 (Capitol)

Senator Claire McCaskill (MO)
(202) 224-6154 (Capitol)
(314) 367-1364 (District)

Senator Roy Blunt (MO)
(202) 224-5721 (Capitol)
(816) 471-7141 (District)

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (MO-005)
(202) 225-4535 (Capitol)
(816) 842-4545 (District)

Background:
The SFEC program was included in Title IV, Part E of Every Student Succeeds Act of 2016—the new education law replacing No Child Left Behind. SFECs are designed to build capacity for states and school districts to systematically embed family engagement policies and practices in schools. The SFEC program will provide much needed professional development for educators and school leaders to strengthen school-family partnerships and parent-teacher relationships.

Talking points to use when contacting your Senator:

Provide your name and title/role with PTA
Ask your senator to ensure there is funding for Statewide Family Engagement Centers in the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for FY 2017.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) authorized this important program at $10 million.
86 national and state organizations support funding this program at its authorized level of $10 million.
Say “As a constituent, parent and advocate, I know the importance of family engagement in schools. Will the senator support investing in this critical program in the final bill?”

If they ask or you would like to expand upon the importance of funding SFECs, below are a few additional talking points that you could use:

Over 40 years of research shows that family engagement is critical for student success. Students with engaged families attend school more regularly, earn better grades, enroll in advanced-level courses and have higher graduation rates.
Teachers are also more likely to remain in schools where families are involved and they can develop trusting relationships to help students and families succeed.
An investment in SFECs and family engagement is important to ensuring not only that families are meaningfully supported and engaged in the education of their children, but that our nation’s students are fully prepared for higher education, workforce and career opportunities in the 21^st century.

Urgent Call to action! Improve Family Engagement in Your Child’s School