LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
PTA HISTORY OF ADVOCACY
National PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. The role of PTA has always been to advocate for improvements in the lives of children and youth. The PTA's strength has helped institute countless positive changes, from the institution of school lunch and inoculation programs to the institution of child labor laws to the promotion of transportation safety, sex education, tobacco and alcohol education, and more.
In 1897, when women did not yet have the right to vote, two mothers who were concerned about the welfare of children in our country decided to defy public opinion that women could and should not influence policy. Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney convened the first meeting of the National Congress of Mothers and led the 2,000 people in attendance in creating a movement to advocate for the education, safety and basic needs of all children.
At this time, schools in the south were segregated and in 1911, Selena Sloan Butler, a mother and teacher, began grassroots organizing to engage Black communities in advocating for the needs of their children. The first meeting of what came to be the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers was held in 1926. The two groups combined in 1970 to form the National PTA.
National PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. The role of PTA has always been to advocate for improvements in the lives of children and youth. The PTA's strength has helped institute countless positive changes, from the institution of school lunch and inoculation programs to the institution of child labor laws to the promotion of transportation safety, sex education, tobacco and alcohol education, and more.
In 1897, when women did not yet have the right to vote, two mothers who were concerned about the welfare of children in our country decided to defy public opinion that women could and should not influence policy. Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney convened the first meeting of the National Congress of Mothers and led the 2,000 people in attendance in creating a movement to advocate for the education, safety and basic needs of all children.
At this time, schools in the south were segregated and in 1911, Selena Sloan Butler, a mother and teacher, began grassroots organizing to engage Black communities in advocating for the needs of their children. The first meeting of what came to be the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers was held in 1926. The two groups combined in 1970 to form the National PTA.
WHAT IS ADVOCACY?
Advocacy is at the heart of the PTA mission. Advocacy involves promoting, recommending and supporting the interests or cause of someone or a group of people. Advocacy is also about helping people find their voice. Advocacy is our most significant opportunity to positively impact our community and its future. To create a better world for our children, have a seat at the table where decisions about children and youth are being made, and support those students who need someone to speak for them. Advocacy gives voice to the needs of all families.
This article from the WSPTA blog provides some great ideas about how your PTA can engage in advocacy work throughout the year.
www.wastatepta.org/pta-advocacy-is-year-round/
Advocacy is at the heart of the PTA mission. Advocacy involves promoting, recommending and supporting the interests or cause of someone or a group of people. Advocacy is also about helping people find their voice. Advocacy is our most significant opportunity to positively impact our community and its future. To create a better world for our children, have a seat at the table where decisions about children and youth are being made, and support those students who need someone to speak for them. Advocacy gives voice to the needs of all families.
This article from the WSPTA blog provides some great ideas about how your PTA can engage in advocacy work throughout the year.
www.wastatepta.org/pta-advocacy-is-year-round/
WSPTA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. In the even-numbered years, the new platform is voted on by members at the legislative assembly in the fall. The top five issues become our short-term platform and consist of our priority issues when advocating throughout the year. Other issues are placed on an “also supported” list.
During the odd-numbered years, members vote to amend current issues or to add new, emerging issues to the also supported list. Each issue has a corresponding handout located in the dropdown that can be downloaded and used when advocating. A full playlist of issue education videos is also available on the WSPTA YouTube channel.
WSPTA’s 2020-2022 Top 5 Issues:
The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. In the even-numbered years, the new platform is voted on by members at the legislative assembly in the fall. The top five issues become our short-term platform and consist of our priority issues when advocating throughout the year. Other issues are placed on an “also supported” list.
During the odd-numbered years, members vote to amend current issues or to add new, emerging issues to the also supported list. Each issue has a corresponding handout located in the dropdown that can be downloaded and used when advocating. A full playlist of issue education videos is also available on the WSPTA YouTube channel.
WSPTA’s 2020-2022 Top 5 Issues:
- Increase Access to Nursing, Mental Health, and Social Emotional Learning Staff
- Support Students and Preserve Education Funding
- Increasing Educational Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
- Supports and Funding for Students with Disabilities and Their Families
- Prevent and Reduce Gun Violence and Suicide
- Equitable Identification and Services for Highly Capable Students
- Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change
- Safe School Plans and Emergency Preparedness
