Archive for category National PTA Communications
Informational Alert: US Secretary of Education Reported To Be Headed to San Francisco
Posted by Webmaster in National PTA Communications, State PTA News on May 21, 2009
US Secretary of Education Reported To Be Headed to San Francisco
Prepare for Tour Expected To Bring Arne Duncan to Town on Friday
U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, reportedly will be in San Francisco Friday to meet with Mayor Gavin Newsom, educators, community leaders and policymakers as part of a nationwide “listening and learning” tour to gather feedback on No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
So far, the Secretary has toured West Virginia and Michigan, meeting with students, community leaders and elected officials on how to reform education and how the federal government can advance reform.
The National PTA has expressed interest in participating in these tours. However, the Department of Education has indicated that the Secretary wants to hear the local or state perspective from groups who aren’t normally heard in Washington.
If this tour comes to your PTA school in California or if a PTA member is selected to participate, we would like the Secretary to hear how important parent engagement is to children’s academic achievement. Talking points that may be useful are provided below.
Information on when, where, which schools, and who will be selected is limited. There is speculation, however, that the next states targeted for this potential events include Vermont, Montana, Wyoming, New Jersey, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Utah and Alaska. Washington, D.C., also has been suggested as a possible event location.
Additional information on these tours is available in a U.S. Department of Education press release, which you can read here. Please keep us updated if you hear or know of any tours happening within your community. California State PTA wants you to be involved.
Please report any local scheduled events to the California State PTA as soon as possible:
916. 440.1985 ext. 311
Legislation@capta.org
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Apply for the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant!
Posted by Webmaster in National PTA Communications, Reflections on May 16, 2009
A limited number of matching grants of up to $1,000 are awarded each year to local PTAs for student-centered programs focused on arts education. Special consideration is given to programs that reach large numbers of students, especially students who are at risk. At risk is the term applied to children whose environmental, familial, and/or socioeconomic situation may aff ect their academic success or ability to learn.
The grant program complements PTA’s long-standing commitment to quality arts education in public s chools by providing funds to local PTAs to establish or enhance school arts programs in one or more arts areas: visual arts, photography, music (including dance), and literature (including theater). Local PTAs must submit complete applications and provide funds that match the amount they are requesting from the national PTA organization.
Mail the completed application form [PDF], selection criteria, and letter of commitment for matching funds to:
PTA National Headquarters
Attn: Arts Enhancement Grants
541 N. Fairbanks Court, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60611-3396
Don’t wait! The application must be received in PTA’s Chicago office by Monday, June 1st!
National PTA Alert: Ask Congress to Increase Funding for Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs)
Posted by Webmaster in Legislation, National PTA Communications on April 7, 2009
Contact Your Members of Congress Today!
The Parental Information and Resource Center (PIRC) funding is the only source of federal funding intended exclusively to help schools and communities meet the requirements of parent involvement mandated in Elementary Secondary Education Act – No Child Left Behind (ESEA-NCLB). PIRCs provide parents, organizations, schools, school districts, and state educational agencies with comprehensive training, information and support for parent involvement from early childhood through adolescence.
In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, Congress funded Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) at $39.25 million. This is far short of the $86 million needed annually for PIRCs to effectively implement their critical role since their strategic reorganization in 2007, to provide state wide leadership, technical assistance, and training to support effective family engagement.
Ask your members of Congress to increase funding for PIRCs to $86 million with in the FY 2010 appropriations bill, by visiting PTA Takes Action Center.
National PTA Action Alert: Contact Your Congressional Representatives Today!
Posted by Webmaster in Legislation, National PTA Communications on January 27, 2009
Today, both the United States Senate and House of Representatives will be acting on a wide-ranging economic stimulus package proposed by President Barack Obama known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (House Resolution 1). The package totals $825 billion, including almost $250 billion in funding for education. California stands to gain approximately $10 billion through a combination of increased funding to IDEA/Special Education, Title I and funds for the School Modernization and Repair program. Approximately $4.8 billion in state stabilization funds to backfill state cuts to education is also a critical part of the package California desperately needs to address our state budget crisis.
Congress is in the midst of deciding our nation’s future. Tell them that any future must depend on the health and education of our children. Call your Representative and both Senators in Congress and let them know that you believe education and health must remain top priorities in the economic stimulus package.
Since Congress will be acting on this legislation as early as tomorrow, we encourage you to call your members of Congress.
Visit the PTA Takes Action Center to call or e-mail your senators and representative and let them know today!
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