What s Happening on the Hill: PTA s 2011 Public Policy Agenda

1. What�s Happening on the Hill:PTA�s 2011 Public Policy Agenda 2011 National PTA Legislative Conference

2. Today�s Agenda How PTA determines its Public Policy Agenda PTA�s Public Policy Agenda and What�s Happening on the Hill How to get involved!

3. How PTA Determines its Public Policy Agenda Timeliness of Issues (is it being considered before Congress/Administration) Gaps in Advocacy Efforts Among National Partners Alignment to Mission and Resolutions Ability to achieve meaningful policy outcomes for children and families Feedback from PTA Members Timeliness of issues (is it being considered before Congress and the Administration) Gaps in Advocacy efforts among National Partners (where can NPTA exert influence) Responds to school-based issue confronting parents Ability to achieve a meaningful policy change that will produce positive results for children and their families

4. 4 PTA-Advocacy survey summary slides Survey respondents report the top advocacy priorities for states are funding and health/safety

5. PTA�s 2011 Federal Policy Agenda Family engagement ESEA-NCLB IDEA Equity and opportunity for all children JJDPA & Budget/Appropriations

6. Child Health *not on the 2011 NPTA Federal Public Policy Agenda but the update of its Reauthorization is important *not on the 2011 NPTA Federal Public Policy Agenda but the update of its Reauthorization is important

7. Child Nutrition: Obama Administration First Lady Michelle Obama�s Let�s Move Campaign- campaign to end childhood obesity Four Pillars: 1. Healthy Choice: Helping parents make healthy family choices 2. Healthier Schools: Rigorous standards for school�s food quality 3. Physical Activity: Children need 60 minutes of vigorous play everyday 4. Access to affordable and health food

8. Child Nutrition: Obama Administration First Lady Michelle Obama was the Keynote speaker at National PTA�s 2010 legislative conference On April 6, 2010, PTA Radio featured National PTA President Chuck Saylors� interview with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. During the interview, Secretary Vilsack shared his views on the importance of child nutrition programs, the progress made by the Senate Agriculture Committee, and how parents can advocate on improving the quality of school meals.

9. Child Nutrition and WIC Congressional Update August 5, 2010: The United States Senate unanimously passed their reauthorization bill S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 Includes $4.5 billion funding increase over 10 years Requires nutrition standards for competitive foods sold in schools (vending, a la carte, school stores, etc.) Increases reimbursement rate for school lunches by 6 cents per meal Provides funding to aid the sourcing of local produce and establishing school gardens

10. Child Nutrition and WIC Congressional Update On December 12, 2010, the US House of Representatives also passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act by a vote of 264-157. President Obama signed the bill into law on December 13, 2010.

11. Child Nutrition and WIC Next Steps Passage of this historic law to reform and improve school foods could not have been accomplished without the effort of dedicated advocates at every level of PTA, but we are not finished with our work yet PTA will be working to ensure the changes in law will be implemented in a manner that is reasonable, informs parents and other stakeholders, and supportive of communities, food service workers, and, most importantly, students

12. Child Nutrition and WIC Next Steps The USDA will be releasing proposed rules and regulations on a variety of measures, including school meal standards, nutrition requirements for competitive foods in schools, and local wellness policies PTA will provide feedback on these proposed rules, sharing our comments with all state PTAs, and we encourage every interested PTA member to either provide their own comments to USDA or contribute to their state PTA's effort

13. Submit Comments on School Lunch and Breakfast Nutrition Requirements to the Federal Register!  January 13, 2011 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a rule to revise the meal patterns and nutrition requirements for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program via notice in the Federal Register The proposed changes are based on recommendations from the National Academies� Institute of Medicine, and would increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat milk products. Additionally, the proposed changes reduce the levels of sodium and saturated fats found in school meals

14. Submit Comments on School Lunch and Breakfast Nutrition Requirements to the Federal Register!  State and Local PTAs are urged to submit comments on the proposed rule for consideration to USDA. All comments must be submitted on or before April 13, 2011. To submit comments, visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

15. USDA grants HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) HUSSC is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. The HealthierUS School Challenge was incorporating into First Lady Michelle Obama�s Let�s Move campaign to raise a healthier generation of kids. Schools may submit applications for the HealthierUS School Challenge by US mail or online at http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/hsmrs/HUSSC/ A simplified district application process is available if there are two or more schools applying from one school district.

16. USDA grants Team Nutrition: Training Grants The purpose of this grant is for State agencies to expand and enhance their training programs that incorporate and implement the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA Foods in meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). States must apply Team Nutrition�s three behavior-focused strategies in their proposals: Provide training and technical assistance to school nutrition foodservice professionals to enable them to prepare and serve nutritious meals that appeal to students. Provide fun and interactive nutrition education for children, teachers, parents and others caregivers. Build school and community support for creating healthy school environments that are conducive to healthy eating and physical activity.

17. Opportunity and Equity

18. Juvenile Justice and DelinquencyCurrent State Children arrested for non-criminal behaviors (i.e. truancy) are often placed in overcrowded, dangerous juvenile facilities that expose them to delinquent behaviors In 1974 Congress created the Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO) core requirement to ensure that non-delinquent youth would be treated differently that delinquent youth However, in 1980 the Valid Court Order amendment led to significant numbers of children being held in secure detention when other community-based interventions were more appropriate

19. Juvenile Justice and DelinquencyCurrent State Locking up children for noncriminal acts increased their risk of abuse, suicide, and victimization Secure detention is costly and strains public resources Detaining children for noncriminal behaviors leads to children failing to return to school after release and a decrease in family functioning

20. Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Congressional Update Juvenile Justice And Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) First enacted in 1974 Provides federal funding to states that comply with a set of best practices aimed at avoiding the detention and incarceration of youth in juvenile and adult facilities.� JJDPA passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in December 2009 and is awaiting action on the Senate floor In May 2010 the House started holding hearings on JJDPA

21. Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act Recommendations Eliminate the Valid Court Order amendment and prohibit states from locking up youth with non-criminal behaviors Promote family-focused interventions rather than secure detention Change the definition of adult inmate so that states can place children convicted in adult court in juvenile detention centers

22. Federal Funding for Education Current State Increasing a country�s average level of schooling by one year can increase economic growth by 5-15% Teacher quality, school resources, special education, low-performing schools, and parent involvement can all benefit from more education funding

23. Federal Funding for EducationRecommendations Increase funding level of PIRCS by $3.9 million or 10% of FY11 Increase funding for Title I, IDEA, and Teacher Quality State Grants Restore funding for Teacher Quality Enhancement grants

24. Summer 2010: Congress passed and President signed an education jobs package that included $10 billion in funding to save educator jobs Funding will help avoid a projected 140,000 teacher layoffs Education Jobs Funding

25. PTA supported this critical funding PTA provided opportunities for parent leaders to advocate on behalf of education jobs funding at Majority Leader, Senator Harry Reid�s press event as well as Speaker of the House, Representative Nancy Pelosi�s press event. Education Jobs Funding

26. Parent Involvement & Family Engagement

27. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Current Law IDEA requires children to have an individualized education program (IEP), in order to receive special education services Parents have the right to be involved in the development of their child�s IEP Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers provide training, information, and support to parents who have a children with special needs.

28. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Gaps We know that family engagement produces positive outcomes for special education students, however, there is limited data on effective family engagement models in special education IDEA needs a clear and structured framework for transition planning services Transition planning services should begin at a younger age IDEA reauthorization will, most likely, not be a priority in the 112th Congress

29. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)Recommendations Add a statutory definition of family engagement Codify PTA�s National Standards for Family Engagement Provide professional development for special education teachers and administrators on family engagement Require transition planning services to begin before age 14

30. Require Data Collection from: Dept of Education on family engagement GAO on student disciplinary actions (suspensions) Individualized Education Programs (IEP) Require classroom-based behavioral management plans Include short-term goals and benchmarks and specify indicators of success Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)Recommendations

31. Current Parental Involvement Provisions in ESEA-NCLBRequirements for schools, districts, and states Title I, Section 1118 requires schools and districts that receive Title I funding to: Schools must allocate a minimum of 1% of Title I funds to support parent involvement activities, programs, and initiatives. Develop written parental involvement policies in partnership with parents Develop school parent compacts Inform parents and organizations of the existence of their state�s Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs)

32. Department of Education�s Family Engagement Proposal (May, 2010) PTA launched several efforts to strengthen and safeguard parent engagement and PIRCs in ESEA� In May, the Department of Education released a new proposal for �Supporting Family Engagement�: Doubled funding for parent engagement from 1% to 2% ($270 million). Created the Family Engagement Responsibility Fund, $145 million states could subgrant to local CBOs to encourage innovative family engagement programs and practices. Still missing statewide capacity-building engine (PIRCs)

33. ESEA Reauthorization in the 112th Congress Senate majority is targeting mark-up of a comprehensive reauthorization draft prior to the April recess; still unsure whether or not that will happen House majority does not favor a comprehensive reauthorization; instead, is aiming targeted reforms PTA is pleased with the release of the Administration�s proposal (previous slide), as it is also influencing reauthorization PTA is working with Senate, House, and ED to ensure family engagement is prioritized during reauthorization Family Engagement in Education Act is a way to influence reauthorization

34. Family Engagement ESEA Recommendations Increase the parent involvement provisions within Section 1118, Title I from 1 to 2% Add a statutory definition and framework for effective family engagement to provide guidance to SEA�s, LEA�s, and schools Codifies research-based definition and PTAs National Standards for Family-School Partnerships to provide a clear picture of effective family engagement

35. Family Engagement ESEA Recommendations Safeguards and strengthens Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) by tightening their role to scale-up research based practices and reach more families Makes family engagement a critical component of ESEA by incentivizing schools & Districts to engage parents Extends family engagement in education to neglected and delinquent youth

36. Family Engagement ESEA Recommendations Provides professional development for teachers and school leaders on effectively partnering with parents Engage parent leaders in integrating and coordinating family engagement initiatives in schools, districts and states Establishes local family engagement centers to house programs to meet unique needs of local parents

37. Family Engagement ESEA Recommendations Coordinates family engagement initiatives across a child�s lifespan and in all learning settings Requires Secretary Arne Duncan to convene a body of leading researchers, expert practitioners, parents, and other educational stakeholders to develop research-based metrics for family engagement Establishes the Family Engagement and Responsibility Fund, composed of a mandatory 1% set aside of Title I funds at the state level to fund the Local Family Engagement Centers, Statewide Coordinating Councils, and state capacity for family engagement activities

38. The Family Engagement in Education Act in the 112th Congress Bill was developed by PTA and its partners, including PIRCs Was introduced in the House of Representatives LAST CONGRESS by Rep. McCarthy (D-4/NY) and Platts (R-PA/19) as H.R.5211 PTA is working with both McCarthy and Platts to reintroduce the bill in 112th Congress before the Easter Recess (April) PTA is working with Senator Reed (D-RI) and a to-be-determined Republican on Senate introduction by April The components/recommendations included in the legislation remain the same as H.R.5211; however, the creation of the fund shifts how the various programs are proposed to be funded.

39. Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) Authorized in subpart 16, Part D-Title V of ESEA Only dedicated federal funding for parent and family engagement in education Received FY2010 Appropriation of $39.3 million 62 grantees (PIRCs) serving local school districts and parents in every US State and territory President proposed consolidation in FY2011 Budget Proposal PTA fought proposed consolidation (2010 Legislative Conference) Received FY2011 Appropriation of $39.3 million (included in FY201 Continuing Resolution (CR)) Passed by Congress in December of 2010 and was in effect until March 4, 2011. Eliminated in H.R. 1, House FY2011 CR to fund through Sept. 30, 2011 Along with $10.5 billion in cuts to Education spending and elimination of 56 programs H.R.1 rejected by US Senate

40. Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) Included in short-term FY2011CR (March 4-March 18) Survived $890 million in cuts to ED spending ($4b total reduction) Congress expected to pass and enact a second short term FY2011 CR Likely to be 2 week extension (through April 4) to but additional time to negotiate long term FY2011 CR Rumored to include additional $6.5 billion in reductions Not clear whether or not PIRCs are on the chopping block Fighting for PIRC funding in FY2011 CR Both second short-term FY11 CR and final long-term FY11 CR Without inclusion in FY11 CR, program is effectively eliminated (federal funding stops Oct. 1, 2011) If �zeroed out� in FY2011, near to impossible to reinstate funding in FY2012 President again proposed consolidation in FY2012 Budget Proposal �Expanding Educational Options� initiative focused on Public Charter Schools

41. How you can get involved!

42. Committee Targets Senate Appropriations: Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI)- Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS)- Ranking Member Subcommitte on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Tom Harkin (D-IA)- Chairman Richard C. Shelby (R-AL)- Ranking Member Senate Budget Kent Conrad (D-ND)- Chairman Jeff Sessions (R-AL)- Ranking Member Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Tom Harkin (D-IA)- Chairman Michael B. Enzi (R-WY)- Ranking Member

43. Committee Targets House Appropriations: Harold Rogers (R-KY)- Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA)- Ranking Member Subcommitte on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies: Denny Rehberg (D-MT) Chairman Rosa DeLauro (R-CT)- Ranking Member House Budget: Paul D. Ryan (R-WI)- Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) Ranking Member House Education and the Workforce John Kline (R-MN) Chairman George Miller (D-CA) Ranking Member

44. Take Action Now You can: Sign up for the PTA Takes Action Network: http://www.pta.org/takesaction/ Send an action alert: http://capwiz.com/npta2/home/ Call your member�s office: 1-866-608-6355 Meet with your Representative Don�t wait! Reach out to your member of Congress to today! Sign-up for PTA Takes Action Network to stay informed on the latest happenings on Capitol Hill and to learn more about legislative issues affecting families, schools, and communities. By joining the PTA Takes Action Network you will receive: PTA�s monthly federal policy e-newsletter and; Action alerts that provide you the opportunity to weigh in on key federal policy issues with your Members of Congress. Sign-up for PTA Takes Action Network to stay informed on the latest happenings on Capitol Hill and to learn more about legislative issues affecting families, schools, and communities. By joining the PTA Takes Action Network you will receive: PTA�s monthly federal policy e-newsletter and; Action alerts that provide you the opportunity to weigh in on key federal policy issues with your Members of Congress.

45. PTA Advocacy Resources GO to PTA.org/TakeAction Takes Action Network Annual Federal Public Policy Agenda Online Advocacy Toolkit Best Practices and Innovation Issue Briefs Policy Issue Briefs & Issue Cards State Laws on Family Engagement in Education Common Core State Standards Initiative PTA has developed a wealth of resources to help you make a difference in the lives of children. PTA Takes Action Network � This service connects you with policy makers at the federal level, your local community, and media. Please subscribe to PTA�s advocacy network to receive: PTA Takes Action Updates � a monthly e-newsletter that keeps you informed on what�s happening on Capitol Hill and the legislative issues affecting families, schools and communities. PTA Takes Action Alerts - an e-advocacy alert that connects you to your members of Congress and highlights actions you can take to influence important legislation impacting children. PTA Annual Federal Public Policy Agenda � This resource presents PTA�s 2009 federal policy priorities on key issues. PTA Takes Action Online Advocacy Toolkit � From writing your legislators to scheduling Capitol Hill visits, PTA�s online toolkit will provide you with step-by-step directions and examples that will help you reach out to policy makers and the media. Best Practices and Innovation Issue Briefs � Discussions of research and best practices aligned with PTA�s federal public policy priorities, intended to educate PTA members and policy makers. PTA Issue Briefs & Issue Cards � Download and�share this valuable tool that highlights the National PTA's key messages and positions on�important issues Education, ESEA funding, and child nutrition and wellness. State Laws on Family Engagement in Education � A reference guide on family engagement provisions within state education laws, intended to help families better advocate for their children at the school and district level, to guide development of legislative reform initiatives by policy makers and advocates, and to support efforts to monitor the implementation of laws already in place. Common Core State Standards Initiative - Resources to support the adoption of common core state standards. CCSSI is a voluntary, state-led effort to develop clear, consistent academic standards in English language arts and mathematics. PTA has developed a wealth of resources to help you make a difference in the lives of children. PTA Takes Action Network � This service connects you with policy makers at the federal level, your local community, and media. Please subscribe to PTA�s advocacy network to receive: PTA Takes Action Updates � a monthly e-newsletter that keeps you informed on what�s happening on Capitol Hill and the legislative issues affecting families, schools and communities. PTA Takes Action Alerts - an e-advocacy alert that connects you to your members of Congress and highlights actions you can take to influence important legislation impacting children. PTA Annual Federal Public Policy Agenda � This resource presents PTA�s 2009 federal policy priorities on key issues. PTA Takes Action Online Advocacy Toolkit � From writing your legislators to scheduling Capitol Hill visits, PTA�s online toolkit will provide you with step-by-step directions and examples that will help you reach out to policy makers and the media. Best Practices and Innovation Issue Briefs � Discussions of research and best practices aligned with PTA�s federal public policy priorities, intended to educate PTA members and policy makers. PTA Issue Briefs & Issue Cards � Download and�share this valuable tool that highlights the National PTA's key messages and positions on�important issues Education, ESEA funding, and child nutrition and wellness. State Laws on Family Engagement in Education � A reference guide on family engagement provisions within state education laws, intended to help families better advocate for their children at the school and district level, to guide development of legislative reform initiatives by policy makers and advocates, and to support efforts to monitor the implementation of laws already in place. Common Core State Standards Initiative - Resources to support the adoption of common core state standards. CCSSI is a voluntary, state-led effort to develop clear, consistent academic standards in English language arts and mathematics.

46. Contact National PTA National PTA Office of Public Policy 1240 N. Pitt St. Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 518-1200 www.pta.org