Heard on the radio: PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENT INVOLVEMENT GROWS

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez | KPCC

Sept. 30, 2009 | A Southland state legislator leads a hearing Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. in Los Angeles to encourage more parent participation in public education. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has the story.

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: State Senator Gloria Romero says parents these days are more likely to organize protests against cuts in the education budget than bake sales. Still, she adds, some parents still feel unwelcome at their childrens’ schools.

Gloria Romero: Schools need to invite parents and encourage parents and make it a warm atmosphere for parents to exercise their rights.

Guzman-Lopez: She wants to involve more parents – not because she wants to start a parent revolution.

Romero: We know from the research, from academic research, when parents get involved that student outcomes are better, we know that there’s increased student achievement, better school attendance, higher graduation rates.

Guzman-Lopez: She’s invited PTA members and parent leadership trainers to discuss the growth and challenges of parent involvement.

Note: Romero’s hearing is scheduled to start at Rosemont Elementary School in Echo Park, Wednesday night at 6.

California State PTA: STATE BUDGET INFORMATIONAL ALERT

Legislative Alert

February 4, 2009

State budget: Informational Alert

Negotiations continue in Sacramento between the Governor and legislative leaders.

Senate President Darrell Steinberg has announced a vote may occur next week on a budget, though he pointed out a final agreement has not yet been reached. Specific details of the negotiations have been kept relatively quiet, but as much as $11 billion in cuts to education, on top of $3 billion already cut last fall, is on the table.

Some new revenues are also on the table, though not enough to seriously mitigate the damaging cuts. In addition, a spending cap may be part of the proposed deal. We continue to be deeply concerned about any budget cap that would lock education funding at the bottom of all other states in per-student spending for years to come.

Steps You Can Take

All legislators need to hear directly from parents and PTAs about the devastating impact that cuts proposed in the state budget will have on children. We know many of you have been contacting legislators or are suffering from "budget cut fatigue." But it is vital to remind legislators that PTA and all parents are watching. We believe they have other options available to prevent deeper cuts that harm our children and California's future.

• Let your state legislators know that California State PTA has an Economic Recovery Plan to safeguard the future of the state.
• Join the conversation by organizing or participating in a local "Off the Hook, 'Round the Clock" phone call activity. Find out more here.
• Keep informed: To help you educate your local members on budget issues and to communicate effectively with legislators, we've prepared State Budget FAQs.

Find more information and resources at www.capta.org

A Call to Action: PTA LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Legislative Alert
January 15, 2009

 

 

California State Budget:

Our responsibility to children cannot be cut in bad economic times

Action Needed – you need not be a PTA member to act for children:

Please call or email your state assembly member, state senator and the governor right away and deliver the following messages:

• We must find a balanced approach to the budget crisis that includes sufficient new revenues to protect children and the future of California.
• Support continued funding for programs and services that help ensure that all children can succeed, such as smaller class sizes, arts and physical education, science, counselors, nurses, librarians, and health and social services for children.
• We cannot build a world class public education system by going backwards in funding for education and other children's services.

To find your legislators' contact information, click here. To contact the governor, click here.

Background

With a worsening economy, state legislators and the Governor are faced with difficult decisions to adopt a balanced state budget. The Governor's 2009-2010 budget proposal includes deep cuts to education, health and human services as well as tax increases and borrowing.

In releasing the proposed budget last week, the Governor stated:

"California, like the rest of the nation is in the midst of a severe economic downturn. The combined effect of the state's continuing structural budget deficit and the loss of revenues resulting from the economic downturn results in a budget gap of $41.6 billion, just under half of the revenues projected for 2009-10. This is the most challenging budget in the state's history. It demands quick action and calls for every type of solution possible, including major spending cuts, revenue increases, borrowing and cash management strategies."

California State PTA issued a press release (copy follows) yesterday in response to the latest budget proposal. In the release, Pam Brady, President, states:

"Don't think for a minute that we don't understand the magnitude of the current financial crisis. Families throughout California are living each day with the realities of the economic downturn. But families also understand that we have a responsibility to children and their future which cannot be compromised in bad economic times.

"We believe the smartest economic stimulus plan for California right now is to invest in the future by investing in the education, health and welfare of our state's children."

The Governor's latest budget proposal would cut an additional $6 billion to public schools over the next 18 months.  When combined with cuts already made to our schools in the current year and proposed accounting maneuvers to delay other payments owed to schools, the total cuts are nearly $11 billion -- not including other cuts to vital children's services.

A recent national study revealed that California recently slipped from 46th to 47th in the nation in terms of per-student funding -- funding which goes to hire and train teachers, provide instructional programs and materials, ensure smaller class sizes, and provide all other aspects of a quality education to every student. 

Next Steps

The Board of Managers of the California State PTA has voted to launch an aggressive campaign to protect children. In the coming weeks we will be providing additional information, resources and advice to help you communicate a strong message for a greater investment in children and against deeper budget cuts.

Budget Details on the Web

Press release issued by PTA in response to the state budget

Education Coalition Response to the Governor's State of the State: California's Schools Face State of Emergency

California Budget Project Analysis

Schwarzenegger seeks education cuts

Governor Holds Press Conference to Discuss State Budget

Legislative Analyst's Office 2009-10 Budget Analysis Series: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Governor's Budget 2009-2010

California State PTA | 2327 L Street | Sacramento | CA | 95816 | info@capta.org

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press release

CONTACT: Carol Kocivar

Vice President, Communications

(415) 577-1125

Alison apRoberts, Communications Manager

(916) 440-1985, ext. 106

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 14, 2009

PTA Responds to State Budget:

Our responsibility to children cannot be cut in bad economic times

Pam Brady, President of the California State PTA, issued the following statement in response to the Governor's budget proposal and ongoing negotiations with legislators.

“Don’t think for a minute that we don’t understand the magnitude of the current financial crisis. Families throughout California are living each day with the realities of the economic downturn. But families also understand that we have a responsibility to children and their future which cannot be compromised in bad economic times.

“We believe the smartest economic stimulus plan for California right now is to invest in the future by investing in the education, health and welfare of our state’s children.

“The latest budget proposal would cut an additional $6 billion to schools. When combined with cuts already made to our schools in the current year and proposed accounting maneuvers to delay other payments owed to schools, we’re looking at total cuts of about $11 billion.

“Cuts of this magnitude fail the basic test of good government. They hurt our children.

“These proposed cuts will completely derail efforts to provide a world-class education to all students. We are already 47th in the nation in terms of how much our state spends per student on education. These cuts are likely to make us dead last.

“The mission of California State PTA is to positively impact the lives of all children and families. We cannot and will not back away from that mission during tough economic times. In fact, these are the times when the children of California need our advocacy the most.

“The 120-member Board of Managers of the California State PTA has voted to launch an aggressive campaign to protect children from drastic budget cuts.”

 

The California State PTA is a branch of the 111-year old National PTA, with nearly one million members statewide. The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest-profile volunteer organization working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto "Every child, one voice." PTA volunteers work in their schools and communities to improve the education, health and welfare of all California children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-commercial. For more information, go to www.capta.org.