LEGISLATION AND ADVOCACY
Legislative & Advocacy Update:
Congratulations to Scott Sweeney for his election as Chair of the Cobb County Board of Education. For more information about the Cobb County Board of Education, see http://www.cobbk12.org/board/.
The Georgia Primary is Coming Up! Voter Registration Deadline is February 6, 2012:
The Georgia presidential primary is on March 6. If you haven't already, register to vote by February 6. See: http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/how_to_register.htm Your vote counts.
Keep current on legislation impacting schools. The Georgia State Legislature is back in session, and the Georgia PTA is already tracking education legislation. To find out more, see Capitol Watch at: www.georgiapta.org/issues-capitol-watch.html Learn about federal legislation impacting schools at National PTA's Take Action at http://www.pta.org/public_policy.asp. Your voice matters.
Hold the Date -- PTA Day at the Capitol - February 28, 2012
Join PTA leaders, members and supporters and become more familiar with the legislative process and actively speak with legislators about education and children's issues. Develop and put your advocacy skills to work under the Gold Dome and over lunch with your state legislators. Let your voice for children be seen and heard. More information coming soon.
Election Results for ECMS: Congratulations to all our elected officials. Officials who directly represent ECMS’ district include: 1) newly elected Scott Sweeney, Cobb County School Board, Post 6; 2) returning state senator, Judson Hill; and 3) returning state representative, Sharon Cooper. Sope Creek’s federal representation includes Senator John Isakson and Congressman Tom Price, who have been re-elected. For a complete list of the State of Georgia election returns, please try: http://projects.ajc.com/election-results/2010/11/02/.
COBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES AUGUST 15 CALENDAR http://www.cobbk12.org/
Stay Tuned: Stay tuned for continued non-partisan information on education issues at the county, state, and federal levels. Your input to elected officials on education issues can make a difference. For more information, the Georgia State PTA legislative priorities can be found athttp://www.georgiapta.org/issues-legislative-priorities.html. Federal legislative priorities are located at http://www.georgiapta.org/issues-federal-legislation.html.
LEGISLATION AND ADVOCACY INFORMATION:
Part of the National PTA’s threefold mission is to speak on behalf of all children and youth before governmental bodies and other organizations. For over 100 years, PTA volunteers have used their time, energy, experience and knowledge to bring about changes in laws, policies and programs for the benefit of children.
In order to maintain a nonprofit status under federal rules, the Georgia PTA is nonpartisan and works to direct its efforts at members of both political parties in order to enact change. When PTA officers or lobbyists participate in legislative activities that educate lawmakers about officially adopted PTA positions, or support a particular piece of legislation that is in agreement with the PTA Legislative Program, it is done on a strictly nonpartisan basis.
Please go to the GA PTA Website for information on current legislation, sign up for email updates through Capitol Watch, and to stay learn how joining the PTA can make you a strong voice for our children - here and across the nation.
Georgia PTA http://www.georgiapta.org/ and click on "Issues & Actions"
MAY 12, 2011
ASK YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO COSPONSOR BIPARTISAN FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION ACT of 2011
On May 10, The Family Engagement in Education Act of 2011(S 941/HR 1821) was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Todd Platts (R-PA) and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and in the Senate by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Christopher Coons (D-DE).
These Congressional champions need our help! Ask your member of Congress to show their support by becoming a cosponsor of this important legislation.
The Family Engagement in Education Act of 2011 strengthens parent engagement in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), commonly referred to as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which Congressional leaders have stated they want to reauthorize this year. It provides guidance and incentives to schools, districts, and states on how to use research-based strategies to engage families. This bill also strengthens and safeguards the sole federal parent engagement program, the Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs).
Please ask your Senators and Representative to support the Family Engagement in Education Act, S 941/HR 1821, by becoming a cosponsor of this important bipartisan legislation.
To take action, please visit http://capwiz.com/npta2/issues/alert/?alertid=45959591&PROCESS=Take+Action
Congressman Tom Price
Washington DC Office:
Congressman Tom Price
403 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4501
Fax: 202-225-4656
Georgia Office:
Congressman Tom Price
3730 Roswell Road, Suite 50
Marietta, GA 30062
Phone: 770-565-4990
Fax: 770-565-7570
Internet:
Web: http://tomprice.house.gov/
E-mail: E-mail Tom by clicking here
Senator Johnny Isakson
United States Senate
131 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-3643
Fax: (202) 228-0724
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One Overton Park, Suite 970
3625 Cumberland Blvd
Atlanta, GA 30339
Tel: (770) 661-0999
Fax: (770) 661-0768
Senator Saxby Chambliss
100 Galleria Parkway
Suite 1340
Atlanta, GA 30339
Main: 770-763-9090
Fax: 770-226-8633
Washington D.C. Office
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-3521
Fax: 202-224-0103
http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email
Week 5 Legislative Wrap-up 11 February 2011
by Otha Thornton
What has Georgia PTA done for You lately?
Administrative Notes
This weekly report will provide the most current education information available and will be
- A powerful voice for all children,
- A relevant resource for families and communities, and
- A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child.
Please share this information with all of your PTA officers, unit members, teachers, and school administrators. We welcome feedback and will be responsive to your comments and concerns. Please note some information will be repeated weekly until it moves through the process. Also, if you see something repeated more than once throughout document, it is really important
Weekly Advocacy Action Item(s):
P – Pre K E – Elementary M – Middle H - High school
- (P,E,M,H) 2011 amended budget passed through House this past week. It is headed to Senate this week. Call your Legislators along with Senators Heath and Senator Fran Millar this week and express your support to maintain funding for nurses. All information and phone numbers in Capitol Watch. Inform your Principals and School Board Members again about funding for school nurses. Questions to your school leaders should include, but not limited to: What is our school’s plan to possibly operate without a nurse? What will be the liability of the school if teachers have to store, monitor, and administer prescription drugs to child? What is our plan to prevent cuts?
- (P,E,M,H) Sign up for PTA Day at the Capitol Advance Registration $35 on and before 18 February 2011. On 19 February – 2 March 2011 costs will be $50
- Georgia Legislation Week in Review – Focuses on “Race to the Top” overview this week
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Information
We had a fantastic week at the Capitol for our students this week. We had over 300 people at Student Advocacy Day(280 students) primarily for Atlanta metro Area. We had a couple of students from as far away as Savannah(Chatham). The Legislative Team did an outstanding job in planning and executing this event. We shared information with the students on the legislative process and gave them an opportunity to share their views on current issues. They did a superb job. We highly encourage students from all over the state of Georgia to attend this annual event. So, we are now, on to final preparations for PTA Day at the Capitol.
The immigration bill, HB 87, committee meetings over the last two weeks were standing room only events. This bill is seeking to implement immigration laws through stricter enforcement of E-Verify system, creating new criminal offenses(namely aiding, harboring, transporting, and shielding unauthorized or undocumented aliens(see note below). There were a couple of dozen groups providing testimony for and against this bill. PTA’s opposes HB 87. This opposition is due to the violation of the children’s’ right to a public education. The children have no say in the parent’s decision on transporting them here to the United States. I will continue to cover and keep you updated.
*note, I am using the correct federal language for the commonly used term, illegal alien
Budget- HB 77, 2011 Amended budget passed in House this week. It is expected to go through Senate this week. A $1.09 millioncut in nurse funding recommended, a 10% cut, higher than average for any agency. It will be just under $25 million for FY12.
New money was provided for commission charter schools opened in fall 2010 for training and experience, ($1.227 million). Traditional public schools do not get training and experience for teachers in the midyear budget. Since the Georgia Supreme Court case pending against commission charter schools is currently awaiting decision, this may be an area to recommend to your representatives to cut in order to provide funding for nurses. Pending decision on the commission charter schools, they may possibly be judged unconstitutional and may have to close their doors.
Working Legislative Priorities/Bills Filed
Priority - SUPPORT efforts to increase the graduation rate in Georgia through mandatory attendance until graduation or age 18, early identification of potential dropouts, improved instructional programs for at-risk students, expanded counseling and guidance services, job placement and work experience programs, immediate follow-up of why individual students drop out.
* SB 14, Jackson – 2 SUPPORT S.Education & Youth
Raises the age of mandatory school attendance to 17, from 16. Also raises the age adult literacy programs may be offered toward a GED to those 17 and older, from age 16. PTA believes students should remain in school until they have graduated from high school or are still a minor, and support efforts that raise mandatory school ages.
We have two additional bills this week for compulsory attendance change listed below:
*SB 43, James – 35 SUPPORT S.Education & Youth
Compulsory school ages are changed to 5th birthday through 17th birthday unless the student has completed requirements for a high school diploma. Currently, students must attend school from the sixth through the 16th birthdays.
*SB 49, Albers – 56 SUPPORT S.Education & Youth
Compulsory school ages are changed to 6th birthday through 16 years and 6 months unless the student has completed requirements for a high school diploma. Currently, students must attend school from the sixth through the 16th birthdays. PTA believes students who are still minors, age 18, should be in school unless they have graduated from high school. We support bills which head in that direction.
Priority - SUPPORT the right of local boards of education to manage and control local public schools (in matters such as selection of instructional materials, hiring of personnel, millage rate, and school calendar) as they seek to improve the quality of education for all students and are sensitive to differences in educational needs of children and youth.
Priority - SUPPORT state funding for a full time licensed nurse in every school
Current $1.09 million dollar cut in nurses passed through the House. We expect the vote from Senate on Wednesday. Don’t forget to call to express your concerns.
Additional bills introduced this week
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Weekly Quote/Reading Recommendations
“There is nothing more unequal, than the equal treatment, of unequals”
Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools by Jonathon Kozol – Deals with inequalities in U.S. school public school system.
Otha Thornton
statelegislation@georgiapta.org
Georgia PTA Legislative Chairman
