May 5, 2015
National PTA Cosigns Three Policy Legislation Letters
National PTA recently cosigned three letters to Congress on education, health and safety legislation.
The first letter was signed in conjuction with National Education organizations endorsing the Student Digital Privacy and Parental Rights Act of 2015. Introduced by Representatives Polis and Messer, this act provides student data
protections for children in classrooms across the country.
In the second letter, National PTA joins 43 other organizations, asking Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act.
The third letter was in support of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) and the inclusion of physical education as a core subject in the Every Child Achieves Act (S. 1177). National PTA believes in the importance of access to a well-rounded curriculum and that daily physical education programs are an integral part of a child's education.
The first letter was signed in conjuction with National Education organizations endorsing the Student Digital Privacy and Parental Rights Act of 2015. Introduced by Representatives Polis and Messer, this act provides student data
protections for children in classrooms across the country.In the second letter, National PTA joins 43 other organizations, asking Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act.
The third letter was in support of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) and the inclusion of physical education as a core subject in the Every Child Achieves Act (S. 1177). National PTA believes in the importance of access to a well-rounded curriculum and that daily physical education programs are an integral part of a child's education.
LegCon 2016: Save the Date
Mark your calendars! The 2016 Legislative Conference will be March 9-10, 2016 at the Crystal City Gateway Marriot in Arlington, VA.
School Meals Getting Healthier
School meals are getting better for children according to a recent research paper done by Bridging the Gap.
Co-Sponsor List Growing for Family Engagement in Education Act
Five Members of Congress have signed on to the Family Engagement in Education Act (H.R. 1194/S. 622). Through efforts of PTA advocates during and after this year's LegCon, Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Lou Barletta (R-PA), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have signed on as co-sponsors.
Please call for your Members of Congress to co-sponsor this legislation. Keep checking the list of House co-sponsors and Senate co-sponsors to see if your members have signed on.
Department of Education Report on Preschools
The U.S. Department of Education released a new report, A Matter of Equity: Preschool in America, detailing the unmet need across the country for high-quality preschool programs.
Understand Common Core in New Video Series
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and The Hunt Institute have produced a series of videos to enhance understanding of the mathematics that students need to succeed in college, life and careers.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and The Hunt Institute have produced a series of videos to enhance understanding of the mathematics that students need to succeed in college, life and careers. Beginning in the primary grades, the videos address the importance of developing a solid foundation for algebra, as well as laying the groundwork for calculus and other postsecondary mathematics coursework.
The series also covers the Standards for Mathematical Practice elaborated in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and examines why developing conceptual understanding requires a different approach to teaching and learning.
Have you been frustrated by the new way American students learn math—the Common Core method? Watch Common Core Math, explained in three minutes.
The Collaborative for Student Success has teamed up with former U.S. Education Secretary Bill Bennett to publish a series of television clips to dispel any myths about Common Core.
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