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Legislative Directives
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Legislative Directives 2008-09 New York State PTA, with a membership of nearly 356,000 parents, teachers, students, administrators and community members, advocates for all children and youth from birth through post-secondary education. Legislative Directives, adopted by the NYS PTA Board of Managers at the annual preconvention meeting, list issues priorities upon which we expect to target advocacy efforts for the current school year. As educational and social conditions are always changing, it is not unusual for unexpected issues to emerge. In response to unanticipated changes and the need for action, Directives may be amended by the NYS PTA Board of Managers. The 2008-2009 Legislative Directives are: Support for Public Education: • Support education finance reform to provide equitable funding for all children in New York State; • Support the provision of equal, educational opportunities for all children including homeless children, emancipated youth and those who are incarcerated; • Oppose imposition of artificial tax caps on public school districts that disregard uncontrollable school cost drivers, create greater educational inequities, and undermine the long held principle of local control; • Support legislation that would change the method of funding charter schools to eliminate any adverse impact on existing school districts and ensure charter school accountability; • Oppose the diversion of public funds from public schools for vouchers and tuition tax credits; • Support fiscal independence for all school districts; • Support funding for Universal Pre-K and full day kindergarten; • Support adequate funding for school districts to provide continuing professional development for educators; • Support adequate and equitable funding for maintenance and modernization of school facilities; • Support full funding for IDEA and NCLB and all other federal laws affecting the education of children and youth in New York State. Safe and Nurturing Environments: • Support healthy children and youth initiatives including mental and physical health; • Support initiatives that foster a supportive school climate; • Support policies and initiatives that engage home, school and community in violence prevention planning and measures; • Support class size reduction efforts; • Support school-based before school and after school programs; • Support initiatives to require the use of seat belts on all school buses; • Support legislation advocating for improved child nutrition including weight issues and eating disorders; • Support legislation, policies, and regulations that protect children and youth when using the internet, wireless and other electronic communications. Parent and Family Partnership Involvement: • Support parent and family involvement partnerships in all state education policies based on National PTA Standards; • Support representation of New York State PTA as one of the parent voices on statewide interagency parent and family cabinets/councils; • Support the development of an effective parent and family involvement partnerships plan in every school using a reportable accountability system.
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Central Region PTA
of New York State PTA
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