PTA is about ADVOCACY for Children

 

WASHINGTON STATE PTA (WSPTA) 2007 PRIORITY LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM

Over the weekend of October 13th, 250 parents, teachers, and students representing every region in the state gathered in Yakima for the annual WSPTA Legislative Assembly.  The assembly reviewed and debated 25 proposed priority issues to determine which would become the priority platform for the 2007 legislative session.  The issues covered a broad range of areas affecting children and their education.  In the end, the resulting top 5 priority issues (listed below) send the message that across the State that PTA members are concerned about having adequate funding so that teachers and students have the resources to teach and learn, and that our school systems must meet studentsŐ (and societyŐs) increasing needs in math and sciences.

The Top Five Priority issues for 2007 are as follows:

 

1.      K-12 Education Funding

  1. Math and Science Education
  2. Simple Majority
  3. Reduce Class Size
  4. School Recess

 

And rounding out the top ten priority issues were (in order): Student Support Services, Sex Offender Registration, Washington State Tax System, Highly Capable Programs and Special Education Funding and Assessment System Improvements tied for the tenth spot. 

Although WSPTA will advocate for all areas on the long-term and short-term platform, the Top Five issues will be given priority focus by the WSPTA Government Liaison Director during our upcoming legislative session.  They are also issues which PTA members, parents, teachers and any other interested people will be encouraged to support during session and during the annual WSPTA Focus Day in Olympia (Feb 15th, 2007).

For more information on these and the other issues visit the WSPTA web site at www.wastatepta.org and click on the legislation page. 

 

 

ACTION REQUESTED:  Here is one way you can advocate for every child.

 

Please send a message to your Legislators letting them know PTAŐs priority issues for the upcoming session.  Simply go to

http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/state/main/?state=WA  and enter your name and zip code.  The rest will be done for you.   ItŐs quick – itŐs easy – itŐs even fun. Try it!