14100 SE Somerset Blvd
Bellevue, WA 98006-2399
Phone: 425.456.5800

PTSA Advocacy

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has provided support, information and resources to families focused on the health and education of children by being a leading advocate for public policies that support children. The organization was founded in 1897 in Washington DC as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. If not for these women and their vision and determination, there would not be a PTA - an organization that has been woven into the very fabric of American life. Today, it continues about change that improves the lives of children across our great nation for the better.

WA State PTA Focus Day

February 20, 2012, 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM, Olympia

Abbreviated Agenda:

11:20 AM: Sylvester Park: Gather for march to the Capitol
11:35 AM: March begins up Capitol Way
12:00 PM: Rally on the Capitol Steps
1:00 PM: Meet with your legislators on your own

The Lake Washington Council of the WA State PTA has organized bus transportation if members would like to go with a group. The bus departs for Olympia at 7:30 am from the old Larry's Market / Cost Plus parking lot in Redmond. The bus will return to Bellevue from Olympia at approximately 3:00 pm. Seats are reserved so you will need to contact Jason Rothkowitz at jason@jasonvision.com.

If you would like more information about Focus Day activities please contact Sarah Swann-Ketzel at Sswannk@comcast.net.

What Does it Mean to Advocate? How Does it Work?

The Washington State PTA (WSPTA) works with State representatives to enact laws to benefit Washington children. Every two years Washington State PTA delegates create a legislative priority platform to use as the basis for their work efforts. Issues that become part of platform originate as proposals offered by members of local PTSAs. Last year the Washington State PTA created a platform for the 2011/2012 legislative year with these 6 areas of emphasis:

• Improving basic education - this includes implementing and funding a new definition that emphasizes and supports college and career readiness and that improves the system of delivery

• Math and science instruction

• Literacy screening and instruction

• Reduction in force/layoff policies - changing layoff policies to include more than just seniority

• Fund education first in the state budget process

• New, research-based model for teacher compensation that emphasizes rewarding teacher effectiveness in improving student learning.

Any PTSA member can submit a proposal (a call for entries goes out in the spring). Submissions are reviewed by the legislative committee and the board of directors, and then put to a vote at the legislative assembly, attended by delegates representing local PTAs and PTSAs, as well as councils from across the state.

This year delegates met on October 14th and 15th in Seattle, including 3 members of the Somerset PTSA. Delegates debated and then voted to add the following six new issues to the 2011-2012 agenda as items that the WSPTA also supports for legislation:
• Closing the achievement gap
• Allowing charter schools
• Promoting early learning
• Addressing the needs of highly capable students
• Updating the juvenile justice system
• Standardizing school-zone signage
Somerset PTSA members were asked to rate the importance of these issues prior to the Assembly by participating in an electronic survey offered through eNews.

How Can Somerset PTSA Members Help?

Members of Somerset PTSA can advocate for their children in many ways. They can generate interest locally at school by informing other parents about specific child needs or topics of concern to them. They can also work at the district level by attending and participating in school board meetings, and they can act at the state level by sending emails and phone calls to State legislators.

If you wish to help your children by increasing awareness of issues that are important to you and you family and to others in your community please contact Sarah Swann-Ketzel [Sswannk@comcast.net].

Who Represents You?

Find Your King County Councilmember: http://www.kingcounty.gov/council.aspx

Find Your Legislator: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

Governor's Office: http://www.governor.wa.gov

Find Your Congressmen: http://www.house.gov/

Find Your Senators: http://www.senate.gov/

President of the United States: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Contact Your Legislators Today and Make Sure Education Funding in Not Cut and that Basic Education is Fully Funded!

Additional Advocacy Resources:

WA State PTA: http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/index.html

National PTA: http://capwiz.com/npta2/home/

Become a Member!