Advocacy Advocacy Must Do Have an Advocacy Committee

Advocacy

Advocacy Must Do • Have an Advocacy Committee • ADVOCATE! It’s Great The Extra Mile • Elected Officials • Adopt a Go to School resolution or a Day platform • Advocacy Day • Hold a at the General candidate’s forum Assembly • Attend School Board meetings • Report out on policy to your members

Advocate • PTA is an advocacy organization • Determine priorities • How we all work together – All parts are needed

What is Advocacy? “Advocacy is a constitutional right and a proud American tradition. It’s the most important opportunity, after voting, that Americans have to be involved in their government. ” Excerpted from NCPTA Advocacy Guide

Advocacy is at the Heart of PTA Here are some tips from National PTA on advocacy activities PTAs may engage in: • Host a candidates’ forum • Hold a voter registration drive at your school • Send out a candidate questionnaire and publish responses • Host a debate for local candidates for public office • Take positions on ballot measures • Run a get-out-the-vote drive with PTA members • Run a mock election at your school for students • Host a debate-watching party

But Politics are Off-Limits for 501(c)(3) Organizations • PTAs are absolutely prohibited from engaging in politics. • PTAs cannot endorse or oppose a candidate. • PTAs cannot give campaign contributions.

The Advocacy Committee • Improve communications between school staff and families • Educate families and caregivers on important issues related to the health and educational success of their children • Help to make each child's potential a reality

The Advocacy Committee • Communicate with local members regularly regarding North Carolina PTA activities and legislative goals. • Help members understand where they can go for information • Hold regular meetings with local members to discuss legislative issues, and other children/youth concerns, and discuss with them how they can help improve schools. • Take local members to school board meetings and county commission meetings when school issues are on the agenda so they can see first-hand how the process works. • Invite elected public officials to meetings where they can discuss and be questioned on their education positions.

Elected Officials Go To School • Resources are on NCPTA website

Elected Officials Go to School

Advocacy Day at the General Assembly

Highlights from the Session Teacher Compensation: According to the final budget, teachers will receive an average salary increase of 4. 7% and the average teacher salary will move to $50, 150 in fiscal year 2016 -2017. Third Grade Reading Teacher Performance Pilot Program: The budget provides $10 million in nonrecurring funds for a third grade reading teacher performance pilot program. The 2 -year pilot program will provide bonuses to the top 25% of third grade reading teachers statewide and the top 25% of third grade reading teachers within each school district based on each teacher's Education Value-Added Assessment (EVAAS) student growth index score for reading from the prior school year. Instructional Supplies: The budget provides $2. 5 million in additional recurring support for instructional materials, supplies and equipment. The revised net appropriation for instructional supplies is $47 million.

Highlights from the Session Digital Learning Plan: The budget provides $4 million in recurring funds and $700, 000 in nonrecurring funds to accelerate implementation of components of the State's Digital Learning Plan for public schools. Textbooks and Digital Materials: The budget provides $10 million in additional nonrecurring funds for textbooks and digital materials. LEAs may use funds from this allotment to purchase digital content made available by the Department of Public Instruction through its Home Base system. The revised net appropriation for textbooks and digital materials is $71. 5 million. NC Pre-K Increase Children Served: The budget provides an additional $1. 325 million in recurring funds to serve an additional 260 children in NC Pre-K, bringing the total number of slots to 29, 400.

NCPTA Advocacy Priorities School Funding Teachers and Administration Parent Involvement Accountability Health and Wellness

Advocacy Priority Spotlight: Health and Wellness Health and wellness is one advocacy area where your PTA can have major impact

Advocacy Priority Spotlight: Health and Wellness PTA has a history of advocating for the health of children: • • School meals Child labor regulations Vaccinations Safe transportation to school

Advocacy Priority Spotlight: Health and Wellness At your school: • Advocating for adequate recess, PE, health education, school safety, and more! • Supporting healthier school environments and policies • Advocating and working with a school wellness team • Being thoughtful about the role your PTA plays in the health of students, parents, and staff at your school—are you helping or hurting the health of kids in your school? • Following the Smart Snacks Guidelines

Advocacy Priority Spotlight: Health and Wellness In your community: • Attend your LEA’s SHAC meetings – The new USDA rules require parent involvement! You are wanted there! • Advocate for stricter local wellness policies with your SHAC • Educate other parents and PTAs about your SHAC, local wellness policy, and healthier schools

Advocate to Your Teachers Spread the Word • Grants • Every school should have a grant contact (principal or designee) • Wake. Ed offers $50, 000 in Teacher Innovation Grants annually • Professional Development • PTAs can offer stipends for professional development conferences • Wake. Ed has two FREE opportunities Summer. STEM and World Café • Policy Matters • Work with teachers to develop policy strategy

WCPSS School Board • • • Districts restored to 2011 maps All 9 seats up for a vote 4 seats unopposed 2 newcomers guaranteed No change to School Board Advisory Councils • Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 8

WCPSS School Board Races District 1 District 4 Agee, Donald M Ainsworth, Mary Elizabeth Benton, Thomas C (incumbent) Ellis, Sheila Watkins Elliott, Heather L Sutton, Keith A (incumbent) District 2 Hochstaetter, Peter John Ivey, Mark Andrew Johnson-Hostler, Monika (incumbent) Unopposed District 3: Cash, Roxie Morfitt (formerly Kevin Hill) District 5: Martin, James D District 6: Kushner, Christine D District 7: Felton, Zora S District 8 (formerly Susan Evans) Lewis, Gary A Mahaffey, Lindsay Marie Pagan, Gilberto District 9 Fletcher, William U (incumbent) Tanbusch, William Michael

Resources – GA website www. ncleg. net – Citizen guide – Local officials – Federal officials – National PTA resources – North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research – North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation – Wake. Ed Partnership

Advocacy and Membership • How are they connected? • One of the biggest things you do as an advocate is grow your membership

Keep in Touch! • • • Webinars State conference Local and council trainings Advocacy E-News Facebook IN Context e-newsletter

Thank you! Questions?