National PTA Survey Highlights Parents’ Concerns on Gun Violence and Mental Health

Today’s guest post is from National PTA, focusing on the results of a national survey of parents’ concerns during the 2022-2023 school year. It is the fourth survey by National PTA that has documented how families have experienced the pandemic with respect to their children’s schools. National PTA released the results of a national survey … Continue reading National PTA Survey Highlights Parents’ Concerns on Gun Violence and Mental Health

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

According the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving accidents killed over 3,100 people in 2020 and injured almost 325,000 more. Teen drivers (15-19 years old) accounted for 8% of those deaths, though only 5.1% of all drivers are teens. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the dangers … Continue reading April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

EBF Funding Works, But We Need to Do More

When the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula passed in 2017, it promised to direct more state resources to the school districts that had been historically underfunded and to students with greater needs. Now, a new report by the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability shows that the EBF formula is doing exactly that. Educating Illinois: A … Continue reading EBF Funding Works, But We Need to Do More

Social Media and Teen Brains

Last week, Mitch Prinstein, the chief science officer at the American Psychological Association (APA), testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the role that social media plays in children’s mental health. His 22-page testimony is incredibly informative, and National Public Radio (NPR) has ten key points that families should know. Read the full article for … Continue reading Social Media and Teen Brains

What You Need to Know About the Proposed Illinois PTA Dues Increase

The Illinois PTA State Board of Directors has proposed a $0.50 dues increase starting July 1, 2023. Delegates to the Illinois PTA Convention will vote on the proposal as part of the business of convention on April 20, 2023. Here’s what PTAs need to know about the proposed dues increase. Why a Dues Increase? The … Continue reading What You Need to Know About the Proposed Illinois PTA Dues Increase

5 Keys to Running a Successful Nominating Committee

Many PTAs elect their nominating committee at their January general membership meeting. Electing the nominating committee is one of items that must be done at a general membership meeting (along with accepting the audit report, adopting and amending the budget, adopting the bylaws, and electing officers). If you’ve just been elected to your PTA’s nominating … Continue reading 5 Keys to Running a Successful Nominating Committee

Tweaking Your PTA’s Course in the New Year

New Year’s is a time of fresh starts for a lot of people, but for PTAs, it’s the middle of the year. Your PTA doesn’t need a fresh start, but perhaps you could use a few minor “course corrections.” Here are three such changes your PTA should be considering now. Membership Your PTA got off … Continue reading Tweaking Your PTA’s Course in the New Year