Hundreds rally to focus on kids

http://wsptagrassroots.blogspot.com/2012/02/hundreds-rally-to-focus-on-kids.html

Town Hall Meetings with your Legislators  Saturday Feb 18

Dist. 27   Debbie Regala    Laurie Jinkins     Jeannie Darneille
2/18/2012, 10:00am-12:00pm, Evergreen State College in
Tacoma, Lyceum Theatre, 1210 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405

Dist. 29   Connie Ladenburg        Steve Conway
2/18/2012, 10:00am-12:00pm, Garfield Book Company
Community Room at PLU, 208 Garfield St., Suite 101, Tacoma, WA 98444

Tacoma Council PTA welcomes new Council Legislative Chair 2011-2012 to fill Vacancy

Hello
Tacoma friends and advocates
 
I  am Chris Barbon - parent of two 4th grade girls at Skyline Elementary.  I am pleased to be taking over the role of Legislative Chair for Tacoma Council this year.  I am new to the detailed workings of state government, and how to get bills and legislation passed, but I’ve been an advocate for various causes my whole life!  I’m sure many of you can say the same thing.  As a parent or family member we practice advocacy every day when we get involved at our child’s school, have a meeting with a teacher, or just by becoming a member of the PTA.  Please, feel free to contact me with any questions related to your own advocacy efforts.  We are here to help!  The best way to contact me is by email at c.barbon@comcast.net  I look forward to getting to
know more of you personally at future council meetings and events. 

There is only so much we can do for children from within our schools and our
community.  Levies and fundraisers will only go so far.  Focus Day is THE event of the year, for people like us who CARE about Education in Washington State.

Washington State PTA Focus Day 2012
Monday, February 20 (President’s Day) 9:00am to 3:00pm
WSPTA invites parents, children and other advocates to rally on the Capitol steps in support of Education Funding this coming Monday!  You will have the opportunity to meet with legislators and staff, receive updates from policy-makers on key issues, and network with other PTA advocates.  Other groups will be there fighting for their causes, so we need to defend and rally for the funding of Education First!

We can make a difference when we come to the Capitol in large numbers.  It worked last year and we need you again to help shape 2012 legislative priorities in what will again be a very difficult economic climate.

Go to http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/focus_day/index.html
for all the information about this great event, including an agenda, directions
and parking instructions.  Registration is not necessary, but helps the
organizers know how many to expect.  Our Region 10 Legislative Chair Stacey Riley is currently scheduling the appointments for us with Legislators from the 27th, 28th, & 29th Districts.

We  look forward to seeing you there!

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Legislator Appointments Focus Day Feb 20

27th Legislative District       Time                Location
Rep. Jeannie Darnielle                          JLOB 314  (No appointment)
Representative  Laurie Jinkins 1:45       JLOB 311
Senator Debbie Regala 2:30                 JAC  233

28th Legislative District
Representative Troy Kelley    4:00        JLOB 334
Representative  Tami Green  4:15        LEG 436B
Senator Mike Carrell    1:15                 INB 102

29th Legislative District
Representative Steve Kirby             LEG 437B  (No appointment)
Rep. Connie Ladenburg                  JLOB 309  (No appointment)
Senator Steve Conway                   JAC 213  (No appointment)

What is my Legislative District?   Find your  Legislator:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

WASHINGTON STATE PTA INTRODUCES THE GRASSROOTS CONNECTION BLOG AS ANOTHER WAY TO STAY CURRENT ON ADVOCACY ISSUES 

The newest  tool in Washington State PTA’s advocacy toolbox premiered this week, the Grassroots Connection blog.  Our indefatigable Government Relations Coordinator Ramona Hattendorf has teamed up with our webmaster (and master of many other things)Megan Drygas to create yet another vehicle for our members to have current information about what’s going on in Olympia.  In addition, the blog will have an archive of prior articles indexed by subject matter for easy retrieval.  Please be sure to check it out on the WSPTA website’s Advocacy page here. 

Charter School Forum Rescheduled for 2/29

CHARTER SCHOOL FORUM RESCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 29TH IN SEATTLE

One of the victims of the mid-January snow storm – Region 6’s scheduled forum on charter schools– has now been rescheduled for February 29th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Washington Middle School, 2101 S. Jackson St, Seattle.   More information about the forum is available on the WSPTA website here, where you can also find other information about Washington State PTA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of children. 

Volume of Advocacy Email

Hi all,
I’ve had a few notes asking about ways to manage the volume of advocacy email.

1.       If you mainly want information, make sure you get Grassroots Connection. That’s one-way e-news. Send note to adminstaff@wastatepta.org

2.       If you like the variety of viewpoints on the listserv, just can’t handle the sheer number of emails in your inbox, ask to get the DIGEST version of legislative listserv (you will get 1 email, compiling the daily posts). Send note to adminstaff@wastatepta.org

3.       If you mainly want to know when to act (or when to alert your community to an action alert), sign up for leg alerts. You can either send a note to adminstaff@wastatepta.org ; or sign up for those directly at: Join Our Action eList (great link to post in your PTA newsletter)

Ramona Hattendorf,

Washington State PTA government relations

Action Alert - Cutting Schools Hurts Kids 11/29/11

There are a million-plus kids in K-12 public schools. Wouldn’t it be amazing if 1 million voices spoke up for their basic education?

Take Action – Cutting schools hurts kids:

http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/home/

Alert is live through 12/30.

(We’re just under 1,000 alerts sent)

Ramona Hattendorf
Government relations coordinator
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org

Six issues added to platform; Basic education still No. 1
(from WSPTA Member Connection, October 25, 2011)

On October 14 and 15, about 275 members from across the state gathered at Washington State PTA's 33rd Annual Legislative Assembly to learn about timely issues and debate and vote on possible additions to our legislative agenda.

When the voting concluded shortly before noon on Saturday, delegates approved proposals addressing the achievement gaps; early learning; highly capable programs; the juvenile justice system; public charter schools; and school zone signage.

The issues have been added as "supported" and together with the Top 6 issues and positions approved last year will make up our legislative platform for 2011-12. A proposal to change our position on compensation did not pass.

For the first time, delegates were also able to review results from an online survey that gathered feedback about the proposed issues. Survey respondents were particularly supportive of strategies to close the achievement gap and steps to increase access to high quality early learning.

Improving basic education is tops:

Every twoyears, Washington State PTA votes in its top "priority" issues and designates other issues that it considers timely. The association has numerous positions that support the well-being and education of all children and this process helps us focus our advocacy.

In the off years, adjustments can be made to the two-year platform, but the Top 5 stay in place. Last year we voted in the Top 5, then delegates added a sixth because of a one-vote difference.

Our top priority issues are:

1.       Improving basic education - this includes implementing and funding a new definition that emphasizes and supports college and career readiness and that improves the system of delivery

2.       Math and science instruction

3.       Phonological awareness screening and reading instruction

4.       Changing layoff policies to include more than just seniority

5.       Fund education first in the state budget process

6.       New, research-based model for teacher compensation that emphasizes rewarding teacher effectiveness in improving student learning.

 

Our supported issues are: 

·         Improve food quality in breakfast and lunch programs (2010)

·         Make physical education/health a core subject (2010)

·         Adopt strategies to eliminate achievement gaps and improve educational opportunities (2011)

·         Increase access to early learning and all-day kindergarten; improve transitions and supports pre-K to grade 3 (2011)

·         Eliminate barriers to K-12 highly capable programs (2011)

·         Renew support for the federal juvenile justice act and adopt strategies to improve our state system (2011)

·         Drive innovation and accountability by allowing public charter schools (2011)

·         Create consistent school speed zone and school warning signage across all districts, counties and cities (2011)

 

Next year delegates will vote in an all-new platform.  Any member can submit a proposal (a call for entries goes out in the spring). Submissions are reviewed by the legislative committee and the board of directors, and then put to a vote at our legislative assembly by delegates representing local PTAs and PTSAs as well as councils from across the state. 

PTA wants state to reconsider charter schools The Washington PTA wants charter schools to be a part of the state's education reform agenda, even though the idea has twice been rejected by voters and repeatedly shot down by lawmakers.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2016565114_ptacharterschools21.html

By Donna Gordon Blankinship

The Associated Press

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WSPTA 2011-2012 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM

Dear advocates,
Every two years, Washington State PTA chooses a legislative priority platform. We continue to support all of our legislative principles  as well as National PTA's public policy agenda, but we focus on the priorities. In year two of this cycle (like this year) we consider adding priorities as "also supported" and we consider amendments. The following is our updated platform for this next legislative session.
Washington State PTA's 2011-12 legislative platform
1.      Following up on reforms of 2009 and 2010 (Basic education finance/HB 2261 and education reform/SB 6696)
2.      Math and science instruction
3.      Literacy screening and instruction
4.      Reduction in force/layoff policies
5.      Fund education first in the state budget process
6.      New, research-based model for teacher compensation that emphasizes rewarding teacher effectiveness in improving student learning.

ALSO SUPPORTED (listed alphabetically):

·         Achievement gaps and educational opportunities*
·         Charter schools*
·         Early learning*
·         Highly capable*
·         Improve food quality in breakfast and lunch programs
·         Juvenile justice*
·         Make physical education/health a core subject
·         School-zone signage*
*Adopted at 2011 legislative assembly
About our new priorities:

ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Legislative principle:Public education policies and funding
We believe great educational outcomes are possible for all students, including students of color, students of diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds, lower income status and students with special needs. The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that eliminate the state's achievement gaps and create equitable opportunities for all students. Steps can include, but are not limited to, efforts to foster:
.      Effective, culturally competent educators who have high expectations for every child
.      Ongoing collaboration that helps teachers maximize instructional time, align materials and fill in gaps with challenging and engaging curricula for all students
.      A positive school climate that factors in the needs of all learners
.      Student-focused practices that encompass intervention and leadership strategies for each child and every classroom with positive academic and behavioral intervention systems
.      Strong leadership at every school; transformational leadership at high-needs schools
.      Widespread, statewide use of longitudinal data and formative assessments, such as WaKids, that inventory academic and social-emotional benchmarks to determine which students will need additional support, so families and schools can provide appropriate intense, targeted intervention in a timely manner
.      Consistently effective home-school communications and family engagement that assists in the instructional development of children
.      A funding formula that ensures children with more need get adequate support to meet standards

CHARTER SCHOOLS
Legislative principle:Public education policies and funding
The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that drive innovation and accountability in public education by allowing the operation of public charter schools in the state of Washington.

EARLY LEARNING
Legislative principle: Public education policies and funding
The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that increase families' access to high-quality early learning programs and improve students' transition to kindergarten. This includes but is not limited to:
.      Phasing in universal pre-kindergarten services for 3- and 4-year-olds, such as provided by our state's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program
.      Improving access to high-quality child care by expanding Washington's quality rating and improvement system  (Seeds to Success), a voluntary support and professional development service for licensed providers
.      Continuing to phase in universal all-day kindergarten and use of a readiness assessment process, such as the state's new Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS), a longitudinal data system that informs schools and families of a learner's needs so that they can better support them.
.      Provide resources and support for pre-kindergarten through third-grade alignment.

HIGHLY CAPABLE
Legislative principle:Public education policies and funding
Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that ensure highly capable children (K-12) receive an appropriate basic education, which includes access to highly capable programs (K-12). The Washington State PTA recommends that the legislature and Quality Education Council build on the work of the Highly Capable Program Technical Work Group. This shall include, but not be limited to:
.      Advocating for a standard definition of highly capable and working to ensure students who are both highly capable and students of color, who are poor, or who have disabilities, have equitable access to the state's highly capable program.
.      Further, Washington State PTA supports the recommendation that districts that do not currently offer highly capable programs refer to the guidelines set forth in the report of Highly Capable Program Technical Work Group.

JUVENILE JUSTICE
Legislative principle:Health and Well-being of Children and Youth
The Washington State PTA renews its support for the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and shall initiate or support legislation or policies that:
.      Keep youth in school and out of the justice system
.      Ensure equity and cultural competence within the justice system
.      Ensure age- and developmentally appropriate responses
.      Strengthen the partnership between the federal government and state and local governments in juvenile justice matters.

SCHOOL-ZONE SIGNAGE
Legislative principle: Safe and Nurturing Environments for Children and Youth
The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that create consistent school speed zone and school warning signage across all school districts, counties and cities so that drivers routinely recognize them, reduce speed and watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The proposal to amend our No. 6 priority failed. That priority reads:
·         The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that lead to a new research-based state teacher compensation model that emphasizes rewarding teacher effectiveness in improving student learning.
A proposed amendment would have changed the wording to:
·         The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that reward teachers for academic credits and degrees as well as years of service to students.
During the legislative assembly a motion to change the amendment passed. The NEW proposed amendment read:
·         The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that consider research-based teacher compensations along with research-based evaluation models, including the Washington Teacher/Principal Evaluation Pilot.
This proposed amendment failed.
Note: The evaluation pilot is supported as part of our No. 1 priority. The pilot aims to evaluate teacher growth in supporting student learning. While there was agreement on the importance of evaluating for growth, delegates reaffirmed that they felt student learning needed to be a component of the compensation system. No specific compensation system has been identified.

-- Ramona Hattendorf, Government Relations Coordinator, Washington State PTA