July 7, 2016
Over 100 Organizations Support Funding for SFECs
After successfully advocating for the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) program to be included in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), National PTA is working to guarantee funding for this critical program. PTA members across the country are urging members of Congress to fund SFECs at the authorized level of $10 million. Unfortunately, the program was not included in the Senate or the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS-ED) appropriations bills.
As the appropriations process moves forward, National PTA and over 100 organizations will continue to advocate for investments in SFECs to ensure families are meaningfully supported and engaged in their child’s education. Join the effort and contact your member of Congress today to tell them to invest in family engagement at PTA.org/TakesAction!
Have a Say in Your State's ESSA Implementation Process
National PTA is a member of the Learning First Alliance (LFA)—a group of 14 membership associations representing on-the-ground educators working with and for students every day. Recently, the LFA developed guiding principles on effective stakeholder engagement. These principles will help state and local administrators conduct stakeholder meetings that are effective to provide the best well-rounded education plans possible under the new law. Read more about the seven guiding principles.
National PTA is a member of the Learning First Alliance (LFA)—a group of 14 membership associations representing on-the-ground educators working with and for students every day. Recently, the LFA developed guiding principles on effective stakeholder engagement. These principles will help state and local administrators conduct stakeholder meetings that are effective to provide the best well-rounded education plans possible under the new law. Read more about the seven guiding principles. 
New Report Examines NAEP Alignment with State Math Standards
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), seen as the "nation's report card," continues to play a significant role in providing a common metric by which states may compare themselves to each other.
This report examines key ways in which the NAEP framework is out of step with what math educators in every state are expected to teach, especially in grade 4, including in states that never adopted the Common Core and in some that have recently replaced the Common Core. Read the report.
Department of Education Report Highlights the Consequences of Chronic Absenteeism
According to the 2013-2014 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) recently released by the U.S. Department of Education, one in eight students report missing 15 or more days of school each year. The number of days missed is greatest among students of color and high schoolers.The Department of Education and the White House are attempting to tackle this issue through programs like Every Student, Every Day and My Brother’s Keeper Success Mentor Initiative to provide better resources and guidance for students at risk of being chronically absent. See the full report.
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Advocates of the Month
Sarah Gross, Virginia PTA
Pictured is Sarah Gross, Virginia PTA President-Elect with Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA).
Sarah Gross, Virginia PTA President-Elect and Federal Legislative Chair, attended an event with Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Secretary of Education John King to launch the summer meals program in Virginia.
Sarah and the other members of Virginia PTA have been instrumental in getting PTA members to advocate for “Breakfast After the Bell” programs as well as becoming summer food providers. Learn more about how to be a “Summer Meals Champion” like Sarah by reading the One Voice blog post by Dr. Katie Wilson, Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Grover Cleveland Elementary PTSA
Pictured is Kelly, Karla and Sandi of Grover Cleveland Elementary PTSA in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
After struggling with inadequate facilities for their students and a roof that leaked so much that one classroom needed to use 21 five-gallon buckets to catch all of the dirty, dripping water, the Grover Cleveland Elementary PTSA decided to take action.PTA members advocated to their local district school board to get the roof fixed. Many parents gave such convincing arguments that in the fall of 2015, the Grover Cleveland Elementary PTSA was successful in getting a new roof installed, guaranteeing the protection of their kids.
The superintendent and Pennsylvania PTA recognized these incredible PTA advocates for their advocacy efforts. No voice is too small or too quiet when united with others in support of their kids, as shown by the impact of this local PTA.
PTA Members Adopt Four Resolutions
PTA members from across the country came together at the Think BIG... Think PTA! 2016 Annual National PTA Convention & Expo and adopted the following four resolutions:
- Electronic Cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Youth
- Homework: Quality Over Quantity
- Recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Individuals as a Protected Class
- Water Safety and Instruction
PTA leaders and members at all levels are encouraged to use the resolutions to build partnerships, form coalitions, increase awareness, develop programs and advocate with policy makers on these issues.
New Toolkit to Support Early Childhood Programs for Dual Language Learners
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education recently released a new toolkit for administrators, teachers, caregivers and families to use to support early childhood dual language learners. Early education for dual language learners has been shown to:
- Increase cognitive and social advantages early in life
- Enhance long term employment opportunities and competitiveness in the workplace
- Reduce the lag dual language learners experience in their academic achievement in comparison to their monolingual English-speaking counterparts
Learn more about how to make a difference by checking out the new toolkit.
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