Page 1 TEXAS PTA ADVOCACY AND YOU

Page 2 READING THE CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE 83 RD SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE

Page 3 Texas Senate  Angry Lt. Governor  Priorities – vouchers, sanctuary cities, TSA groping legislation  Frustrated Senators  BIG Freshman Class  Committee Assignments - a shift to the right  Key Committees have new leadership  Senator Dan Patrick – Chairman of Senate Education  Senator Tommy Williams – Chairman of Senate Finance Texas House  Roughly half the House are Freshmen or Sophomores  Speaker Joe Straus likely to be re-elected  Limited number of experienced legislators remain  Key Committees have new leadership  House Appropriations Education Budget  House Education Committee

Page 4 The Governor  Continued budget cuts, including education  No new spending  No new taxes, no tax increases  Vouchers for private schools

Page 5 Budget - Revenue  Revenues are up  9% increase in sales tax  14.9% increase in natural gas taxes  12.4% increase in oil production taxes  Rainy Day Fund will have $8+ Billion by January Source: Legislative Budget Board

Page 6 Budget - Expenditures  $4.7 billion - cover Medicaid program costs 2011 Legislature did not fund  $2 billion - cover last of 24 months of payments to Foundation School Program  $2 billion - cover enrollment growth in public schools  Costs associated with fighting wildfires  Costs associated with prison health care system

Page 7 Fiscal Environment Funding for schools –How will we fare compared to last session? –What about student population growth? –Will the lawsuit against the state be resolved in time? Funding for human services and infrastructure Will we use the Rainy Day Fund?

Page 8 What Can We Expect on Education Policy?  Student Assessment  Vouchers  Graduation Requirements  Charter School policies

Page 9 What about the State Board of Education?  Make-up of the Board  Likely more moderate  Upcoming issues  Science textbook adoptions  Social Studies textbook adoptions

Page 10 PRIORITIES FOR THE 83 RD SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE

Page 11 Public School Funding Restore $5.4 billion cut from education budget last biennium. Fund enrollment growth. Fund EOC remediation costs. Create a new equitable and adequate funding system for public education.

Page 12 Training for Legislators One of the largest segments of the Texas budget is the education budget. The system of funding public schools is extremely complicated. In order to be prepared to vote on this critical piece of the state’s budget, legislators must have at least a basic understanding of the current system. Texas PTA will utilize a grassroots campaign to encourage legislators to participate in relevant training sessions.

Page 13 STAAR/EOC –Return authority for grading policies to local districts. Remove requirement that each EOC test score be averaged into final course average at 15%. Should EOC tests be required to count in final course grade, in addition to graduation requirement, the method of calculation and weight of EOC test should be determined by ISD, and TEA should provide a conversion for EOC test scores from 1000 point to 100 point scale.

Page 14 STAAR-End of Course Exams –Reduce number of tests that count towards graduation –Fund costs of remediation –Exempt last year’s freshmen from last year’s first round of EOCs –Remove requirement for cumulative score in each subject area for graduation –Allow satisfactory score on an AP test, International Baccalaureate exam, an SAT subject exam, PSAT, ACT, or another exam (determined to be as rigorous as a placement exam) to be used in lieu of EOC test in that subject area.

Page 15 Vouchers Our system of public education is the major vehicle for perpetuating the basic values of a democratic system of government. This system must be strengthened, supported by adequate funding, and be governed by public officials accountable to the public. Texas PTA supports educational choices within public schools Texas PTA opposes voucher systems, tuition credits, and taxpayer savings grants for nonpublic school tuition

Page 16 Healthy Lifestyles Support programs that promote movement, activity, healthier food choices, and that promote school, family and community participation. Support school recess programs. Texas PTA is a member of Partnership for a Healthy Texas (PHT), the obesity-fighting coalition. PTA will work with PHT on several items such as maintaining requirements for School Health Advisory Committees, Fitnessgram and Coordinated School Health.

Page 17 Penalty for failure to report a missing child Texas PTA will support a law that strengthens the penalty for failure to report a missing child or for providing false information on a missing child.

Page 18 Issues to Monitor

Page 19 Charter Schools Strengthen TEA’s ability to ensure all charter schools meet minimum academic and financial performance standards and to revoke an underperforming charter. Restructure the renewal process for charters to ensure non-performing charters are not renewed. Strengthen the application and approval process to improve selection of charters.

Page 20 Public School Accountability System Pursue opportunities to participate in the process of creating the new accountability system. Monitor legislation impacting the current system.

Page 21 Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Education Educate policymakers and PTA members about sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and its impact on children’s health, and educate on the impact of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages both on the state’s revenue and in reducing obesity among children and youth.

Page 22 WHAT CAN I DO?

Page 23 Get educated on the issues –Pay attention to alerts and updates Establish an advocacy goal Identify 5 people in your council who commit to responding to alerts Contact your elected officials Come to Rally Day February 21, 2013

Page 24 Ensure your PTA considers adopting a resolution concerning high-stakes testing

Page 25 Leverage the Power Encourage members to sign up for updates and alerts Model active participation in the advocacy process Participate in local advocacy at your school board level.

Page 26 Conduct Meetings Find your legislators: Select “House” and “Senate” to identify both. Call district office to set meeting date Take a small group – 3-4 people Take a copy of Texas PTA Priorities – Keep it simple –Talk about priorities –Ask for support

Page 27 Rally Day Include Save the Date in all PTA and School communication Participate in Texas PTA Rally Day Webinars Meet with your Legislative Chair to plan –Schedule of events on Texas PTA website – –Advertise, arrange transportation to Austin, register, decide on common attire, contest or incentive for participation? —Make appointments with your legislators

Page 28 Texas Legislative Calendar January 8, 2013 – Texas Legislature begins 140 day session February 21, 2013 – Texas PTA Rally Day March 8, 2013 – Deadline for filing bills May 27, 2013 – Last day of 83 rd Texas Legislative Session June 16, 2013 – Last day governor can sign or veto a bill

Page 29 The BEST resource for all things PTA

Page 30 You Are the Key to Our Success You are the boots on the ground You are the local leaders You are the critical conduit of information

Page 31 Texas PTA is Different PTA is different because YOU are different. –Thank you for your service to all our children PTA = ADVOCATES