California State PTA Calls for Action in a Statement on the Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas

May 26, 2022

SACRAMENTO, CA – In the wake of recent elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, California State PTA, is asking for more than your thoughts – it’s time to take action.

California State PTA stands with National PTA and Texas PTA as one voice demanding safe schools for every child in our nation. We must put an end to gun violence and provide support for our children and families impacted by this trauma.

We must stand up for the 19 students, two teachers that died and the 17 injured in the Uvalde, Texas tragedy. As the country’s largest volunteer led child advocacy association, we must demand that our lawmakers be as brave as the teachers who gave their lives to shield their students from gunfire. As parents and teachers and community members who care about our children we must end this violence.

“For more than a century, California State PTA has advocated for safe schools and for gun laws to protect our children. And now another school shooting is in the news. When will it be enough? How many more children have to die before we do something? Gun violence is a public-health crisis that affects us all – and it is time for action,” said California State PTA President Carol Green. “California State PTA supports state and federal legislation that protect children and youth from gun violence.”

Our position statement on Firearms and Assault Weapons affirms the association’s stance on firearms including minimum age requirements to purchase guns, prohibiting the sale and possession of assault weapons defined as automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and incorporates language from the National PTA position that the safest schools are gun free schools.

California State PTA will be addressing gun violence, school safety and mental health issues with federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. on June 15 during the 2022 National PTA Hill Day – but we are not waiting – we ask our members to take action now and urge congress to protect our children from gun violence.

California State PTA will continue to watch federal legislation including House Resolution (HR)  8 – Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2021 (Thompson) and will keep members informed with action alerts. 

Take Action:

Resources:

Resolutions:

On Tuesday, National PTA shared:

California State PTA Response to Governors May Budget Revise

California State PTA President Carol Green has released the following statement in response to the proposed Governor’s May Budget Revise:

California State PTA is pleased that the Governor’s May budget revision includes many PTA priorities. We are encouraged by the projected increase in Proposition 98 funding and the proposed increase in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) base grant. Adequate and stable school funding has been a long time PTA priority. Although we appreciate the direction of this proposal, we urge the Governor to embrace the significantly larger LCFF base grant increases proposed by the Legislature and supported by California State PTA.  Further, we renew our commitment to seek stable, ongoing funding rather than fluctuating and one-time funding.

PTA Priorities:

  • Nutrition Adding $611.8 million to the Universal school meals program to ensure reimbursement rates for schools continue when the federal funding ends (current funding ends 6/30/22 unless Congress acts to extend this program).
  • LCFF Base Funding May Revise proposes an increase of $2.1 billion, about three-percent, to the LCFF base funding. This will impact students in all public schools in California and we encourage the administration to go further to increase the funding closer to what is proposed in the legislature.
  • K-12 facilities $3.9 billion in facilities over the next three years for modernization and new construction. To address outstanding school maintenance and energy efficient upgrade, the governor is proposing an additional $1.8 billion.
  • Expanded Learning Opportunities This budget proposal would fully fund the implementation of the Expanded Learning Opportunities per classroom based ADA Program (ELOP) four years ahead of schedule. This proposal would allocate $2500 for every low income student, English language learner and foster youth in grades Tk-6 in the state.
  • Pre-Kindergarten Education
    • State Preschool Family Fee Waivers – waiving the family share cost for children participating in the State Preschool Program for the 2022-2023 school year
    • State Preschool Program – increased funding via adjustment factors for students with disabilities and dual language learners in the State Preschool Program

We are hopeful that the proposed Discretionary Block Grant will allow school districts to use one-time funds to address student learning challenges, support the mental health and wellness of students and staff and allow local decision making on how best to use the funds to support our local school communities.

The increase to 6.56% to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) from the proposal of 5.33% in January is improving news, although this still puts school districts behind inflation which is just over 8%. This highlights the need to pursue the Legislature’s proposals to further increase LCFF base funding.

PTA is also encouraged to see the Governor’s commitment to invest  in special education, community schools, mental health services, early literacy, community engagement, STEM instruction and teacher and staff retention and recruitment.

California State PTA will continue to work with both the administration and Legislature to ensure the needs of California’s children and families are met. As PTA members, this is an opportunity for advocacy both locally and throughout California.

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Read the statement from California State PTA President, Carol Green in response to the proposed 2022-2023 Governor’s Budget.

California State PTA Response to Proposed 2022-23 Governor’s Budget

California State PTA President Carol Green has released the following statement in response to the proposed 2022-2023 Governor’s Budget:

California State PTA is optimistic about the Governor’s January budget proposal released this week. We are pleased to see many PTA priorities in this budget proposal that includes an increase in Proposition 98 funding for the 2022-23 school year as well as adjustments to the current year (2021-22) and last year (2020-21). This represents a three-year increase of $16.1 billion over the level funded in the 2021 Budget Act.

PTA priorities:

  • Nutrition: The proposed budget provides all public school students with two free meals each day regardless of income eligibility, starting in the 2022-23 school year.
  • School Funding: A cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 5.33% for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) which is an investment of $3.3 billion, and many other education programs that are funded outside of the LCFF.
  • Early Learning and Child Care: Increase in funding for younger students: $823.7 million for 36,000 additional subsidized child care slots, and an investment of more than one billion dollars and the multi-year commitment to expand Universal Transitional Kindergarten.
  • Expanded learning opportunities: Investment in both additional funds and infrastructure to support school districts in this work. This includes after school and summer school programs for the goal to have children in school up to 9 hours a day.
  • Health and Safety: Funding to fight the COVID-19 pandemic $2.7 billion COVID-19 relief package to bolster testing, accelerate vaccination and booster efforts, support frontline workers and the health care system and battle misinformation. The funding includes the distribution of tests to schools and county offices of education already underway, as well as ongoing testing site enhancement and availability for the general public.

PTA is also encouraged to see proposed investments in special education, mental health services, early literacy, arts, college and career pathways, facilities, and teacher retention and recruitment.

While this proposed budget significantly increases investments in California education, it does not address the inadequate base funding of our schools. The LCFF base funding is based on 2007-08 funding levels that are not adequate for the students of 2022. While acknowledging a modest investment, we would also like to see an increased investment and focus on special education funding and policies.

California State PTA will continue to work with both the administration and Legislature to ensure the needs of California’s children and families are met. As PTA members, this is an opportunity for advocacy both locally and throughout California.

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Read the statement from California State PTA President, Carol Green in response to the proposed Governor’s May Budget Revise.

 

California State PTA statement on the new vaccination mandate for California students and school employees in 2022

SACRAMENTO, OCTOBER 1, 2021 – California State PTA has released the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement today of a new vaccination mandate for students and school employees. The state mandate is expected to go into effect by July 1, 2022, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approves COVID-19 vaccines for those 12 and older. Additional details are expected in the coming weeks and months.

 

“California State PTA supports the use of vaccines to protect the health and safety of children and families across California.  The state of California has required student vaccinations in public schools for years and PTA has long-held positions on vaccine requirements to protect our most vulnerable children.

 

“Vaccination is an important tool to ensure our schools remain open for in-person instruction while protecting the health and safety of our students, staff, and entire communities.

 

“Throughout the pandemic, California State PTA has been working with state leaders including the California Surgeon General, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the California Education Coalition, and various equity groups to advocate for children and families – and we will continue to do so. We look forward to working with parents and families, the governor, and policymakers to ensure students and families are involved in the rollout of this new regulation.”

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About California State PTA: California State PTA connects families, schools, and communities. We are part of the foundation of our public education system and a trusted messenger to millions of members, parents, families, educators, and allied agencies throughout the state. PTA is the nation’s largest volunteer-led child-advocacy association working to drive improvements in the education, health, and well-being of all children and families. For more information, visit www.capta.org.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Robin Klau
Vice President for Communications
communications@capta.org
925.380.1591

Sherry Skelly Griffith
Executive Director
sgriffith@capta.org
916.955.1699

California State PTA Applauds the Education Package Signed by the Governor July 2021

SACRAMENTO, JULY 12, 2021 – California State PTA has released the following statement in response to the education package signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, July 9, 2021:

“This education package is great news for students and families in California,” said Carol Green, President of California State PTA. “There is a lot to celebrate in the $123.9 billion PreK-TK–K-12 education package. It includes funding for top PTA priorities including early childhood education, community schools and wrap-around services, universal school nutrition, and mental health services. PTA also supports the return to in-person instruction that includes a robust option for students who may need distance learning for health or other reasons.”

The safe return to in-person instruction is a priority for PTA members, and this budget prioritizes the safe return to in-person learning. As an organization that advocates for all children, including our most vulnerable, PTA wants to ensure that an option for quality distance learning also exists. We are pleased the Independent Study program is vastly improved under this plan and includes some of our recommendations, including standards aligned instruction, synchronous learning, access to college and career readiness courses, and stronger communication with students and families.

“We are also thrilled with the investment in universal transitional kindergarten for all four-year-olds by 2025.” Green added. “California State PTA has been advocating for this for years. We know this will go a long way toward closing opportunity and achievement gaps for future generations.”

The trauma of the pandemic highlighted inequities across our society. PTA continues to advocate for all children and families across California, and we are proud to be part of a process to bring a historic budget into reality.

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About California State PTA: California State PTA connects families, schools and communities. We are part of the foundation of our public education system and a trusted messenger to millions of members, parents, families, educators and allied agencies throughout the state. PTA is the nation’s largest volunteer-led child-advocacy association working to drive improvements in the education, health and well-being of all children and families. For more information, visit www.capta.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Robin Klau
Vice President for Communications
communications@capta.org
925.380.1591

Sherry Skelly Griffith
Executive Director
sgriffith@capta.org
916.955.1699

Carol Green Begins Two-Year Term as President of California State PTA

SACRAMENTO, JULY 7, 2021 – Carol Green, a dedicated advocate for all children and families, began her term as California State PTA President on July 1, 2021. Green, a passionate volunteer and advocate for children and families, now leads the largest child advocacy association in California as it strives to improve the health, safety, education and welfare of the state’s nine million children.

Green was elected to the 2021-23 term of office. In her new role, she will serve as chair of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of the nation’s largest and oldest child advocacy organization connecting families, schools and communities.

A resident of San Diego County and mother of three, Green has volunteered in various PTA roles and in numerous other positions supporting children and education. Her service with PTA has included roles at the local, regional, and state levels, including a local unit president, a council president, a district president, and the Vice President for Communications, the Vice President for Membership Services, and President-Elect.

“I can’t think of anything more important than advocating for the health, safety and education of all of our children,” said Green. “We know that when families and schools work together, all children benefit. After the challenging time we have had over the last 16 months, it is more important than ever that we work together to ensure our children get what they need, including mental health support, educational resources, and a support structure to deal with the trauma, grief and loss they have experienced. We must protect our most precious resource.”

Green’s work with PTA has been focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, advocating for California’s most vulnerable children and promoting family engagement for all communities. During her two-year term as president, she hopes to support and encourage new leaders, expand PTA’s, membership and advocate for every child with the largest most inclusive voice possible.

“Carol brings a wealth of experience to the role of President and CEO of the California State PTA,” said Sherry Griffith, Executive Director of California State PTA. “Her dedication, passion and commitment to the children and families of California will take us to the next level of growth and inclusiveness for the organization. Carol will ensure we support the next generation of PTA leaders and members to build back family engagement during what has been such a challenging time in our public school system.”

Green has a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism from San Diego State University, and worked as a radio and television journalist for more than 20 years. She is currently a communications consultant and public health advocate working with nonprofit organizations to create policy change.

Green looks forward to leading an outstanding Board of Directors during the 2021–2023 term:

  • Carol Green, President
  • Shereen Walter, President-elect
  • Michael Morgan, Vice President for Leadership Services
  • Jeff Price, Vice President for Membership Services
  • Robin Klau, Vice President for Communications
  • Ellen Torres, Vice President for Convention
  • Derby Pattengill, Vice President for Health & Community Concerns
  • Laura Mudge, Vice President for Education
  • Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Family Engagement
  • Lea Darrah, Director of Legislation
  • Abby Fellman, Secretary
  • Laura Hawk-Loya, Treasurer
  • Brad Waller, Parliamentarian
  • Derick Boerner, Chair of the District Presidents
  • Sherry Skelly Griffith, Executive Director

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About California State PTA: California State PTA connects families, schools and communities. We are part of the foundation of our public-education system and a trusted messenger to millions of members, parents, families, educators and allied agencies throughout the state. PTA is the nation’s largest volunteer-led child-advocacy association working to drive improvements in the education, health and well-being of all children and families. For more information: www.capta.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sherry Skelly Griffith, Executive Director
sgriffith@capta.org
916-955-1699

Robin Klau, Vice President for Communications
rklau@capta.org
925-380-1591

What’s in the Governor’s Proposed Budget for Children and Families? Here’s a Quick Overview

Governor Newsom’s May 2021 Revise budget, buoyed by an unexpected surge in California’s tax revenues, helps repair the deep budget cuts of the pandemic and allows the state to start to invest more to support children, families and schools.

In just one year, the California budget has moved from a $54 million deficit to a projected $75 billion surplus. When combined with new federal funding under the American Rescue Plan, California has an additional $100 billion in funding surplus.

California State PTA is delighted that the proposed budget invests in long-time PTA priorities, including early education, summer school and after school programs, mental health, nutrition, community schools and targeted support for our most needy students.

We also strongly support many of the investments in families and children outside of the education budget that address poverty, climate change, and health and human services, particularly efforts to reduce child poverty.

Source: https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432

Education Proposals

  • Early Education: Universal access to transitional kindergarten.
  • Expanded Learning: Year-round access to enrichment activities and before/after-school supplemental education programs for children in low-income communities. Note: additional funding needed to adequately address the needs of all students.
  • Quality Teaching: Funding to retain, recruit, train and support teachers.
    Student Support. Funding for additional teachers, including more school counselors, social workers, and nurses.
  • Nutrition: Increased access to school-wide nutrition programs.
  • Community Schools: Better integrated relationship between schools and health care plans, county health, and social services to provide school-based services to children. Grants for up to 1,400 local educational agencies (more than 60 percent of local educational agencies statewide) to convert school campuses into full-service community schools.
  • Closing the Digital Divide: Greater student access to broadband internet and computer technology, both in the classroom and at home.
  • Special Education: Federal and state funds for special education, particularly to address the impact of the pandemic, dispute resolution and inclusive practices.
  • Distance Learning: Not Properly Addressed

We are deeply concerned that the state has not created a plan for high-quality distance learning. Not only is this important for students and families who can not or do not want to return to in person learning but also for innovative instruction going forward to meet the needs of students who thrive in this environment.

We believe families need quality distance learning options for the coming school year and beyond. The Governor’s current proposal to incorporate distance learning into independent learning fails to provide the on-going quality options students need.

PTA is advocating for a quality distance learning option that is equivalent to in-person learning for any family or student that needs it.

Maintaining a quality distance learning option will serve us as a state in the event of future unanticipated events. We should not waste this opportunity to prepare for the future.

Education Funding

Even with this welcome increase in state revenue, California per pupil funding still remains below the national average when adjusted for regional differences. Funding is estimated to be $13,977 per student in the coming year.

Summary of Major Proposals with Funding Allocations

You can find a quick summary of major state and federal education budget investments here.

Next Steps

Now the Governor’s May Revise will be heard by the budget committees and be voted on by June 15th with a deadline of July 1 to be signed by the Governor.

Resources to Dig Deeper

Governor Announces Budget That Offers Significant Investment in Children and Families

California State PTA is celebrating Governor Newsom’s May revised budget proposal that makes significant investments in California State PTA equity and priority issues, fueled by unexpectedly large tax receipts.

The checklist below gives you a quick summary of major investments:

PTA “WISH LIST” GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET

Universal transitional kindergarten – YES

Community schools – YES

After school and summer programs – YES

Supplemental funding for counselors,
nurses and other student supports – YES

Support programs for teacher/staff
training and retention – YES

Additional support for special education – YES

Additional cost-of-living adjustments – YES

Better funding for student nutrition – YES

More funding for at-risk students – YES

Supplemental funding for foster and
homeless youth – YES

Distance learning options – PTA is looking for more

 

These all are part of a five-year plan to provide greater wrap-around services for students.

The formal budget will be announced Friday. We’ll give you more details after that. But we are so excited about the extra investments in children that we wanted to give you a heads-up.

California State PTA Response to Verdict in Chauvin Trial

SACRAMENTO, April 22, 2021 – California State PTA has released the following statement in response to the recent verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin:

“We are a nation traumatized by racial injustice. The murder verdict in the George Floyd case is one important signal that police who use excessive force and discriminatory practices are not above the law.

Incidents of discriminatory practices and racial injustice happen not only on our public streets but in our public schools.

As PTA parents and caregivers, we must do everything we can to protect our children from harm. California State PTA urges the California legislature and Governor to thoroughly examine the role and training of police on school campuses to ensure that educators, not police, are responsible for school discipline.

The recent tragic events bring to light once again the pain, distrust, and injustice that are the reality for so many children and families. This cannot continue.”

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About California State PTA: California State PTA connects families, schools and communities. We are part of the foundation of our public education system and a trusted messenger to millions of members, parents, families, educators and allied agencies throughout the state. PTA is the nation’s largest volunteer-led child-advocacy association working to drive improvements in the education, health and well-being of all children and families. For more information, visit www.capta.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Heather Ippolito
Vice President for Communications
communications@capta.org

Sherry Griffith
Executive Director
sgriffith@capta.org
916.440.1985

California State PTA Statement Denouncing Violence Against Asian Americans

SACRAMENTO, March 29, 2021 – California State PTA has released the following statement in response to the recent attacks in Atlanta, as well as the ongoing violence towards Asian Americans in California and nationwide.

“California State PTA condemns the Georgia shootings and the recent violence against Asian Americans in our country,” said Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA. “Our association stands firmly against racism in all forms and denounces all racial violence.”

“It is critical that we rise to correct inequities and injustices. California State PTA and our constituent associations remain committed to improving diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our association, schools, and communities and to ensuring the safety, well-being and future of every child and family.”

“We can build a better future for all of our children when we unite as a community, intentionally acknowledging how race, culture, and languages spoken are assets in improving the lives of all children and families.”

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About California State PTA: California State PTA connects families, schools and communities. We are part of the foundation of our public education system and a trusted messenger to millions of members, parents, families, educators and allied agencies throughout the state. PTA is the nation’s largest volunteer-led child-advocacy association working to drive improvements in the education, health and well-being of all children and families. For more information, visit www.capta.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Heather Ippolito
Vice President for Communications
communications@capta.org

Ignacio Barragan
Assistant Executive Director
ibarragan@capta.org
916.440.1985