Primary goals of both the National PTA and Illinois PTA are the adequate funding of education programs. The National PTA puts funding front and center in the 2017-18 Federal Public Policy Agenda Checklist with a call for a regular appropriations process replacing the current practice of sequestration “with a balanced approach to deficit reduction that … Continue reading Aligning National PTA and Illinois PTA Legislative Priorities: School Funding
Aligning the National PTA Public Policy Agenda and the Illinois PTA Legislation Platform
Want to know how positions of the National PTA and the Illinois PTA align on advocacy issues? Over the next several months, we will be providing you with information on the Public Policy Agenda of the National PTA and offering insights into how the Illinois PTA Legislation Platform fits into advocacy efforts at the national … Continue reading Aligning the National PTA Public Policy Agenda and the Illinois PTA Legislation Platform
FAQ: Amendatory Veto of Senate Bill 1
Last week, Governor Rauner issued an amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1 (SB1) that significantly changed the provisions of the bill to the point where the Illinois PTA cannot support the amended version of the bill. As a result, Illinois PTA is calling for members to contact their legislators to override the governor’s veto. Here’s … Continue reading FAQ: Amendatory Veto of Senate Bill 1
Tell Your Legislators to Override the SB1 Veto Today to Keep Our Schools Open
Today, Governor Rauner vetoed part of Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which would have fixed Illinois’s inequitable school funding formula. Key elements of Illinois PTA’s support of SB1 are that no school district receives less funding and that all school districts are treated in the same manner regarding current (but not legacy) pension costs. The governor’s … Continue reading Tell Your Legislators to Override the SB1 Veto Today to Keep Our Schools Open
Illinois PTA Urges Governor Rauner to Sign SB1
Illinois PTA president Brian Minsker spoke on Tuesday at a press conference in Decatur calling on Governor Rauner to sign Senate Bill 1 (SB1), a bill that would change Illinois’s school funding formula. His remarks are below, and you can view a video of the press conference courtesy of the Decatur Herald and Review (President … Continue reading Illinois PTA Urges Governor Rauner to Sign SB1
Understanding SB1: Changing the Illinois School Funding Formula
Senate Bill 1 (SB1) is aimed at improving how Illinois distributes money to local school districts. The bill uses an Evidence-Based Funding Model, as recommended by Governor Rauner’s Illinois School Funding Reform Commission to distribute new state education funding in a more equitable manner than the existing formula. SB1 has passed both houses and awaits … Continue reading Understanding SB1: Changing the Illinois School Funding Formula
Ending the Expulsion of Preschoolers in Illinois
“Expelled from preschool” sounds like a headline from a humor website like The Onion, but in fact preschoolers are expelled nationwide at more than three times the rate of students in K-12 classes. More significantly, these expulsions are disproportionately given to boys and to African-American and Hispanic students. Preschool education is critical to preparing students … Continue reading Ending the Expulsion of Preschoolers in Illinois
News from National Convention: Resolutions
PTA resolutions are a way for the membership of the association to express its opinion and intent to address issues affecting the lives of children and youth. They focus and formalize the position of the PTA on a variety of issues. At the 2017 National PTA convention in Las Vegas, the delegates adopted one resolution … Continue reading News from National Convention: Resolutions
National PTA Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal
National PTA released the following statement on Wednesday regarding President Trump’s proposed budget. President Trump’s Cuts to Public Education Devastating for America’s Children President Donald Trump released his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018. The proposal cuts funding for public education programs by $9.2 billion. “Equitable, high-quality public education for all students is essential to … Continue reading National PTA Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal
Financial Literacy Resources
April is Financial Literacy Month, and one of the three resolutions passed at the 2017 Illinois PTA Convention called for the Illinois PTA to advocate for schools to incorporate financial literacy education into their existing curricula. Financial literacy is critical for students to acquire, as managing money, purchasing a car or house, saving for a … Continue reading Financial Literacy Resources
News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Report on Young Adults in the Justice System
Delegates at the 2016 Illinois PTA Convention passed a resolution creating a committee to study whether those young adults aged 18 to 21 involved in the justice system should be treated differently from older adults based on the latest scientific research on brain development. At the 2017 Illinois PTA Convention, that study committee presented its … Continue reading News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Report on Young Adults in the Justice System
News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Incoming President’s Speech
At the conclusion of the 2017 Illinois PTA Convention, incoming Illinois PTA President Brian Minsker addressed the delegates. Following the speech, many in the audience urged us to share his message with all Illinois PTA members. I’m willing to bet that almost every person in this room would say that they got involved with PTA … Continue reading News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Incoming President’s Speech
Illinois PTA Convention Preview—Resolutions
The 115th Annual Illinois PTA Convention will be held on April 7th and 8th at the Hilton—Naperville. Convention is a great opportunity to attend interesting workshops and network with other PTA leaders, but it is also the time that the Illinois PTA conducts its business. Part of that business is directing the legislative and advocacy … Continue reading Illinois PTA Convention Preview—Resolutions
The Woke PTA’s Guide to Advocacy
The last few weeks have seen an unprecedented level of civic engagement. Huge demonstrations have drawn out people who have never marched. Congressional switchboards have received more calls than ever before. Your PTA may have many members who are now looking for ways to advocate on behalf of children through PTA. Here’s a guide to … Continue reading The Woke PTA’s Guide to Advocacy
National PTA Provides New Resources for PTA Advocates
PTA is the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy organization, with a legacy of work that has improved the lives of every child in this country. On Friday, January 27, National PTA announced its 2017 Federal Public Policy Agenda with a Facebook Live event (view recording). As part of this announcement, National PTA released … Continue reading National PTA Provides New Resources for PTA Advocates
SB550 Becomes Law, Reducing Lead in School Drinking Water
Senate Bill 550 (SB550), the Preventing Lead in Drinking Water bill, was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner on Monday, January 16, 2017. The bill has been a key focus for Illinois PTA advocacy this past year, and its passage is a win for the children of Illinois. It is also a reminder that … Continue reading SB550 Becomes Law, Reducing Lead in School Drinking Water
4 New Year’s Resolutions for PTA Leaders
The start of a new calendar year is about the midpoint of the PTA year. Your PTA may have been less active during the holiday season when so many other events are going on at school and in life. Now that the new year is beginning, it is a good time to reflect on what … Continue reading 4 New Year’s Resolutions for PTA Leaders
Lead in School Drinking Water—What Families Need to Know
Note: Illinois PTA has an advocacy campaign running now through January 10, 2017 to urge the Illinois House to join the Illinois Senate in passing SB550, a bill that would require testing every unique drinking water source in all Illinois schools and report high lead levels to families. If you were looking to make a … Continue reading Lead in School Drinking Water—What Families Need to Know
The Illinois ESSA Plan Draft #2 Highlights
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) became law almost one year ago. During this past year, Illinois and every other state has been working hard to develop a plan to implement ESSA in their state, with the final plan due to the US Department of Education on April 3, 2017. The Illinois State Board of … Continue reading The Illinois ESSA Plan Draft #2 Highlights
Every Student Counts—A New Report on Public Education in Illinois
The state of Illinois has a goal of 60% of Illinoisans with a post-secondary degree or credential by the year 2025. Today, thatnumber is 50%. Advance Illinois just released a new report, Every Student Counts—The State We’re In, that documents where public education stands in Illinois on several key measures related to that goal. The … Continue reading Every Student Counts—A New Report on Public Education in Illinois
One Voice Illinois 