Advocacy
Advocacy is at the core of PTA activity – at the state level and at the National Level. From universal kindergarten to a juvenile justice system – National PTA advocates have been at the heart of our nation’s greatest advances for youth. Michigan PTA advocates to ensure that parent’s voices are heard and that issues related to the health, education and well-being of all children do not go unnoticed. It is our goal to empower and encourage parents to speak to their legislators and the community on behalf of their children.
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MAY 6, 2013
CALL TO ACTION!!!
The standards are being discussed by both chambers as they review the 2014 budget for the Michigan Department of Education. Language has been introduced in both chambers to impede or prevent implementation of the Common Core.
Contact your legislators now to voice support for the Common Core!
MAY 7, 2013
MLive: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder backs Common Core school standards blocked in GOP budget bills
Read MLive article
MAY 6, 2013
Governor Snyder Tweets Support of Common Core
@onetoughnerd Gov Snyder: "The Common Core is a good thing. We need to stand up for it and make that clear.
MAY 3, 2013
Business Leaders for Michigan Support Common Core State Standards
Read letter to the Michigan Legislature from Business Leaders for Michigan indicating support of the Common Core State Standards
MAY 3, 2013
The Education Trust–Midwest Releases Statement on Common Core
Read Strong business and education support for Common Core in Michigan |
APRIL 30, 2013
CALL TO ACTION!!!
Contact the Governor and Your Legislators in Support of the Common Core State Standards
Dear Child Advocates,
Michigan PTA strongly supports the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for all Michigan students. On April 25, 2013, The House passed a budget that did not allow any funds to be spent for implementing the Common Core State Standards. Does this sound a little familiar? This is the same way our legislature pushed through the Right to Work legislation by tying it to appropriations. This type of foolery will not be accepted when it comes to the education of our children.
There is current legislation in the House that attacks the Common Core. What are our legislators afraid of that they can not let democracy take place? As citizens of this great state, we have the right to have our voices heard on issues we may agree or disagree with. It is unfair to the people of Michigan to attempt to stop forward movement by attaching it to appropriations bills that do not require public input. We urge this legislature to allow the taxpayers of Michigan the opportunity for their voices to be heard.
We ask that you do three things.
- First, call the Governor’s office and inform him of your support for the Common Core. Click here for a sample phone script that you can use. Please feel free to add your own words to make the call more personable.
- Second, after you have made your call to Governor, please email
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with your name, city and PTA unit so that we can keep track of the calls placed.
- Third, we ask that you contact your house representative and senator and request their support of the Common Core. Click here for a sample letter that you can use. You can also use our CapWiz site (http://capwiz.com/npta2/mi/home/) to send your letter to your legislators.
Michigan PTA urges every parent, citizen and taxpayer to contact your legislators, offer your support of the Common Core State Standards and inform them that we will not accept these games that are being played at the expense of our children.
Please share this communication with your neighbors, family and friends. The children of Michigan need your voice today. Your voice matters please make it heard.
Yours in Advocacy,
Shaton Berry, President
Teresa Marhofer, President Elect |
MARCH 4, 2013
Impact of Sequestration on Local School Districts
A Comment from the Michigan Department of Education:
Local school districts are wondering what the impact of the federal sequestration will mean to their federal funding revenues. Various sources project the impact on education to be 4.8% to 5.4 % in federal program reductions. The fact is, at this time, the Michigan Department of Education has not received definitive information on the ultimate reductions of federal funding at the state and district levels.
Once the United States Department of Education provides information to the states that include the sequester reductions at the program level for the 2013-2014 school year, the Michigan Department of Education will provide reasonable estimates to local districts as soon as possible. |
FEBRUARY 27, 2013
Act Now to Prevent Sequestration - Prevent Additional Cuts to Education
As you all know, without Congressional intervention this week, Sequestration is set to take effect this Friday, March 1st. As all the estimates around potential impact have been fluctuating, I wanted to pass along some additional information on what the cuts to Michiganwill look like. Please note that the attached document is provided by the White House – which means they are written by the White House and the tone can be slightly political.
I am asking that all local PTA/PTSA leaders and members contact their Congressional offices ASAP to encourage Congressional intervention to stop and replace the sequester with a balanced, responsible approach to deficit reduction that does not further impact federal investment in education using the impact data attached.
CORRECTION: Many of you have visited the Michigan PTA website to send a message regarding the upcoming sequester. Please note our Michigan PTA CapWiz can only send letters and messages to our Michigan Legislators. To send a message to our federal representatives, go to National PTA website, click on the Advocacy tab, select the PTA Takes Action Network option, and in the highlighted box click Take Action. Fill out the online form and send your message. As on our Michigan site there is a pre-written letter you can use for your convenience or you can send your own.
-OR- Click Here to Take Action Now!
I know many of you have been active on this issue – thanks for continuing to advocate on behalf of educational investment!
Yours in Advocacy,
Shaton Berry
President
Sequestration Impact – Michigan Data
National PTA's Stop Sequestration Toolkit |
NOVEMBER 28, 2012
Keep Local Control of Public Schools
Dear PTA Leader,
It is critical that you contact your Legislators and the Governor today!
Michigan PTA has long supported public education and we recognize that significant reforms are necessary to provide a quality education for every child in our state. We have no desire to see children languish in failing schools and agree that urgent action needs to be taken.
However, we feel strongly that current reform efforts are misguided, and that the Governor and Legislature must slow down and listen to the citizens of Michigan.
Parents have many legitimate questions about the EAA legislation and the School Choice Act, as well as the draft bill put forth by the Oxford Foundation. We need a robust public debate about how to move education forward in this state. The Lame Duck session is not the time to rush through massive changes to our education system.
The process of education reform is far too important to do hastily. We need:
♦ true clarity about what these provisions would do,
♦ public discussion about how we move education forward in Michigan,
♦ a significant parent presence in discussions around reform efforts, and
♦ a deliberative process that includes significant opportunities for public comments.
We want to see reforms which ensure accountability for school leadership, shared decision-making between parents and educators, and rigorous expectations for all students. We encourage the Governor and Legislature to bring parents to the table to design meaningful education reform that will improve educational outcomes for all students.
Click hereto generate an e-mail to your Legislators and the Governor – use the sample letter provided or write your own. Calling your Legislators can also be an effective tool; the link will also provide you with phone numbers.
We expect this legislation to be voted out of committee this week or next week. Your voice counts – make your voice count for kids today!
Sincerely,
Shaton Berry, President
Teresa Marhofer, President Elect
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