National PTA’s Response to Federal School Safety Commission Report

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (December 18, 2018)— Today, after eight months of public input, commission meetings and field visits across the county, the Federal School Safety Commission released its report on ways to keep students safe at school. The report includes several recommendations aligned with National PTA positions and A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools – joint recommendations written and endorsed by our nation’s leading education stakeholders and practitioners – on improved access to school-based mental and behavioral health services, threat assessments protocols, comprehensive school safety plans, and role of school resource officers (SROs).

However, we would have liked to see the Commission include common sense proposals to limit youth access to firearms, strengthen background checks, fund gun violence research efforts, and ban assault weapons. Our association believes any effort to improve the safety of our nation’s youth must be comprehensive and include gun safety and violence prevention measures.

National PTA supports positive school discipline policies that include a strong family engagement component and keep children in school and learning over exclusionary discipline. We are disappointed to see the report recommends the rescission of the 2014 school discipline guidance from the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice. Without this guidance, we are concerned that students of color and students with special needs will face even more disparate levels of discipline compared to their white peers.

Our association also believes that to promote positive school climates that encourage nurturing relationships, connectedness and mutual trust and respect among students, staff and families, there must be people and practices within the school building to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. While the report focuses on the need for increased use of evidence-based frameworks to support and implement behavioral, health and mental health services, the report does not include a recommendation to increase the staffing ratios of school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses who can provide those supports.

“While the Commission’s report does not explicitly recommend arming educators, National PTA believes the most effective day-to-day school climate is a gun-free campus—which includes not arming teachers and administrators. Teachers and administrators should be able to focus on their primary responsibility, which is to educate our children,” said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA. “Our association opposes any attempt to use federal funds to arm or provide firearm training for educators. National PTA recognizes that school safety is a multi-faceted issue with no one clear solution for every community. We believe any effort to address school safety must involve all stakeholders who should consider a variety of factors, including the physical and psychological safety of students.”

“All of us share the responsibility to create and ensure safe, supportive and welcoming learning environments. We look forward to working with the Commission, the administration, Congress, and state and local policy makers to shape policies based on evidenced-based best practices in school safety and climate, discipline, student mental health, instructional leadership, teaching and learning” said Nathan Monell, executive director of National PTA.

 

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. For more information, visit PTA.org.

 

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

National PTA and Alaska PTA Supports Disaster Relief Funding for Families and Schools Impacted by Earthquake

ALEXANDRIA, VA, (Dec. 6, 2018)—National PTA President Jim Accomando and Alaska PTA President Candy Jo Bracken issued the following statement regarding the Nov. 30 earthquake and ongoing aftershocks:

“National PTA and Alaska PTA our deeply concerned for all communities affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Southcentral Alaska. Many families and schools have been impacted by this devastation and we empathize with those who are experiencing loss of property, safety, and routines. School officials discovered collapsed ceilings, dangling vents and water damage in some schools. Every school was affected in some way, with some schools sustaining major damage.”

“As the nation’s and state’s oldest and largest child advocacy association, it is our duty to support families and school communities as they rebuild and recover. We remain committed to doing everything we can to assist in the restoration of learning environments and emotional support for students and families.”

“National PTA offers resources to help families and educators have conversations with children to help them deal with the fear, confusion, sadness and anger they may feel after incidents like the earthquake in Alaska. These resources and other tips are available at PTA.org.”

“The Disaster Relief Fund was established by National PTA to help with disaster assistance and respond to tragedies that grievously disrupt a school or education system. We encourage PTAs and schools impacted by this massive earthquake to apply for support from the fund. We also urge everyone to donate to the fund to help support PTAs and schools deemed not safe because of the damage.”

“In addition to National PTA’s Disaster Relief Fund, several community and charitable organizations are assisting those in need. Alaska PTA encourages those who can to join or donate to the Alaska VIP unit  to help classrooms recover from their losses.   The Red Cross is managing emergency shelters for those displaced by the earthquake is accepting financial donations for those people in need. We also encourage our members to support the Salvation Army, who is providing food for people sheltering at various centers and other organizations. “

“PTA members work hard every day to give our children, families and school communities what they need to thrive. Following this type of tragedy, our mission becomes that much more important. We know we can count on our PTA members across the country to help meet the needs caused by the Southcentral Alaska earthquake.”

 About Alaska PTA

 Alaska PTA is a collection of valued individuals across the state who serve as volunteers on the Board of Managers and on Standing and Special Committees to support local PTA units, advocate for improved education in Alaska and the U.S., and who speak together with one voice for the children and youth of Alaska.

 About National PTA 
PTA® comprises 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. For more information, visit PTA.org.

LaWanda Toney
Director of Strategic Communications
[email protected]
703-518-1237

National PTA Statement on Proposed Memo by HHS’s Strict Definition of Gender for Title IX

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Oct.23, 2018)—National PTA® is concerned by recent media reports by the New York Times, Politico and more that the administration is considering a proposal to redefine sex under Title IX as strictly male or female. National PTA is committed to defending the rights of all children and youth, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. National PTA strongly urges the administration to refrain from releasing any rule that would change the definition of gender to the biological sex assigned at birth.

National PTA stands behind its resolution on the Recognition of LGBTQ Individuals as a Protected Class. National PTA and its constituent associations will continue advocate for legislation that explicitly recognizes LGBTQ as a protected group and addresses discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The association will also seek to ensure educators have the training to support all students and that health education standards appropriately address the issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.}

“The protection of our students—regardless of their gender identity and gender expression—is a matter we do not take lightly,” said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA. “All students deserve to attend schools that are safe, supportive and accepting environments free from discrimination. We continue to do the work that not only protects our children and youth, but educates parents, families, educators and community members on how to handle discrimination.”

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. For more information, visit PTA.org.