Issaquah PTSA Council
Legislation and Advocacy
For more information, please contact our Issaquah PTSA Council Legislative Chairs:
At a glance...
Race to the Top Update
President Obama's education reform efforts have been gaining steam and he is making changes, big changes: His Race to the Top program incentivizes states to truly improve education. The policy shifts emphasis away from inputs like class size to outcomes like student success. Race to the Top money rewards states that:
- Intervene in chronically failing schools (WA state is one of 4-5 states where it's against the law for the state to intervene) One of his suggestions is Charter schools (WA state has voted for this three times…always failed)
- Hire, retain the best Principals and Teachers. Implement comprehensive Principal and Teacher evaluations and link them to student growth. Reward the best, remove the worst.
40 states have signed on to apply for the Race to the Top in the first round of money. Washington State could not apply because we would not qualify. WE ARE SO BEHIND. We still have a chance for the second round of money, if we pass some bills this session around state intervention in failing schools and having comprehensive Teacher/Principal evaluations.
The Issaquah PTSA Council voted to endorse the Excellent Schools Now Coalition's proposal regarding the legislative action required this session in order to for Washington to be competitive for Race to the Top funding.
Recruiting a PTA Legislation Chair
The position of Legislation Chair is an important one to fill, but often left for last to fill as we recruit board members. I know the right person for the job is in your community, just waiting to be asked.
- Quote from Lisa Bond, WSPTA President 2003
What skills do they need? (In order of importance)
- Interested in educating the community on children’s issues
- Ability to engage the listener in a discussion
- Ability to write effective emails (short and concise)
(Note that knowledge of legislation is NOT listed…they can easily learn about legislation, the first three priorities are tougher to learn)
Who are they?
- A “retired” past PTA president
- A vocal parent at the school who needs to direct their passion in a positive direction
- A working parent who can’t be at school during the day but wants to be involved
- Someone who is active in politics in other areas of their life
- Someone who doesn’t know much about legislation but is willing to learn
- Someone who is new to the school who was a Legislative Chair at their last PTA
What is the job?
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Sign people up for action alert emails
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Speak at each of your PTA meetings (we will provide info to speak on)
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Place newsletter articles in newsletter (we will provide)
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Attend Legislative Assembly in early October
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Attend Focus Day and bring members of your PTA to Focus Day (February)
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Attend Roundtable; an evening mtg with local legislators in November
What support will they have?
- Legislation Handbook
- Several opportunities for training
- Regular updated information via email
- Action alert emails all ready to go to send to your email distribution lists. Email alerts will come from both the state and the District Leg Chair
- The PTSA Council Leg Chairs are available to help and answer questions
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Send mail to webmaster@issaquahptsa.org with questions or comments about this web site. Page Updated: January 29, 2010