Interest: Press Releases + News

California Student Wins National PTA’s Reflections Theme Search

February 15, 2019

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SACRAMENTO — California State PTA is pleased to announce that Rylee Stier has been selected as the 2020-2021 National PTA Reflections Theme Search Contest winner! Rylee is a 1st grade student from Thirteenth District PTA, which covers Butte, Shasta, Tehama and Trinity counties. Rylee’s submission, “I Matter Because…” was selected from nearly 100 student submissions across 21 states.

“We could not be more proud of Rylee and all the students who participate in both the Reflections art program and the Reflections theme search. Thirteenth District PTA has been affected by recent wildfires that devastated the area, and this is a wonderful achievement for the community and for the entire state of California,” said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald.

National PTA’s Reflections art program engages nearly 300,000 students and their families in arts education activities each year by encouraging students to explore the arts for fun and recognition. Students from pre-K through high school submit works of art in six categories: dance choreography, literature, photography, film production, music composition and visual arts.

As the National PTA Theme Search Contest winner, Rylee will receive $100 from National PTA and recognition in their 2019 Awards & Reflections Celebration program at their annual convention. Congratulations to Rylee for selecting the Reflections 2020-2021 theme!

State Funding Available for Schools Closed Due to Hazardous Air Quality

November 19, 2018

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SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and California State PTA remind educators who have closed schools because of dangerous air quality that they can apply for a waiver to ensure they do not lose funding because of a drop in attendance. Torlakson also pledged that these schools will be assisted by administrators from the California Department of Education.

State law allows schools to continue to receive state funds from the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) if they have to close because of a natural disaster such as floods, fires, earthquakes or other extraordinary conditions, such as hazardous air quality.

“The wildfires burning across California have had a deep impact on the lives of our families, our friends, our neighbors and our communities. California State PTA supports and appreciates the school districts who have had to make the decision to close schools in order to keep students and school staff safe,” said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Torlakson also encouraged schools facing poor air quality to keep students indoors during recess and meals. Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov, and wildfire information is available from the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.

Visit the American Red Cross, Salvation Army or California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund for more information on where to send a financial gift, or to find a local blood drive to help victims.

For more information on the the forms that need to be submitted, as well as additional information and resources on fire safety, visit the California Department of Education’s website at http://bit.ly/CADeptofEdFireResources.

POLICY REPORT: PTA Survey Reveals Parents’ Views on Science Education (NGSS)

November 6, 2018

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Nine Out of 10 Parents Agree Learning Science is Equally Important as Reading, Writing and Math

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California parents say that science learning is vitally important and they support the kinds of changes in science instruction envisioned in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), according to a recent survey conducted by California State PTA. The survey, with more than 2,000 respondents (see overview below), also revealed about half of parents believe their district does not provide enough science instruction at the elementary school level.

Parents’ belief in the importance of science was the strongest message out of the survey, with nearly nine out of 10 agreeing or strongly agreeing that learning science is equally important as reading, writing and math. The results were similar across all parents surveyed, regardless of the child’s age, their own science background, their ethnic and socio-economic background, or their engagement in school activities. In addition, 80 percent of parents reacted positively to messages that “science is central to how we understand and make sense of the world around us,” and “a strong science education is essential for college and career readiness.”

“As California proceeds with the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), it is important for parents to understand and support the changes schools are making,” said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald. “Our survey results indicate parents think science instruction is vital and that they welcome the kinds of changes the state expects schools to put into place.”

When presented with descriptions of how instruction will change under NGSS, more than 80 percent of the parents surveyed said they felt favorably or very favorably toward the new standards. Parents find particularly appealing the idea that the new standards encourage students to ask lots of questions and emphasize hands-on investigation and discovery. They were equally positive about the new standards beginning at an early age and engaging students who may not think of themselves as “science kids.”

The respondents were also nearly unanimous in supporting the need for children to be equipped with critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills, consistent with the state’s learning goals in English language arts and mathematics.

The California State PTA survey also made clear that many parents see plenty of room for improvement in both the quality and quantity of science instruction their children currently receive.

  • Only 56 percent are satisfied with the amount of science their child is receiving, and the responses were markedly less positive among elementary school parents, with just 43 percent agreeing.
  • Less than half (46 percent) agreed with the statement “the science program at my child’s school is equal to the best schools in California.”

Asked whether their child attended a science class or had a science lesson either daily or weekly, seven out of 10 survey respondents said yes. However, that dropped to just over half (54 percent) among elementary parents.

Along with questions about their own children’s experiences, the PTA survey asked parents their opinion about whether science instruction in their school district as a whole was sufficient. The responses varied by grade level, with 53 percent saying their district was not providing enough science instruction in local elementary schools, 24 percent saying the same about middle schools, and 19 percent saying “not enough” in high school

The survey also indicates that schools could do more to enlist parents’ active engagement with science learning. Parents were nearly unanimous in saying it’s important for their child to have science-related learning experiences outside of the classroom but only half said they know a lot about the science their child is learning in school.

The majority also said they could better support their child’s science education if they better understood the curriculum and had ideas about fun science activities to do at home. Only about a quarter of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their child’s teacher provides those kinds of ideas, with the response consistent across all grade levels and ethnic backgrounds.

With the California State Board of Education’s formal adoption of instructional materials aligned with NGSS, more schools will be actively implementing new science teaching approaches. In addition, this spring students will take the first statewide science tests that will be reported for school accountability purposes. Notably, half of parents surveyed say that they are completely unfamiliar with the terms Next Generation Science Standards and NGSS.

Parents could play a significant role in helping schools’ NGSS implementation efforts succeed. However, their support will be much stronger if schools take the time to explain the new standards, address parents’ questions, and tap into their enthusiasm for science learning both in and out of school.

California State PTA Launches Movement for Arts Education

October 24, 2018

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Demand Arts Education for All Students

Every student has the right to a dynamic, creative education, and California Education Code requires it. Yet 88 percent of California schools are failing to meet this standard. This. Must. Change. That’s why California State PTA joined forces with Create CA to launch one of the most impactful public will campaigns for the arts in recent history to demand arts education for all students. See the campaign.

Simply put – creativity is not optional! The goal of the campaign is to spark a movement with the public, parents, educators, artists and policy makers to demand a comprehensive, sequential arts curriculum for all children in grades K-12.

“At California State PTA, we know the arts are essential to a quality education, and we are extremely proud to be part of this important arts equity movement,” said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald.

California State PTA is a founding organizational partner of Create CA alongside the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Arts Council, the California Alliance for Arts Education and the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association. The campaign is spearheaded by Create CA with creative concepts led by Josi Sergant with TaskForce, a Los Angeles based creative agency that collaborates with the most influential non-profits, brands and people taking on the most pressing challenges facing our state, our nation and our world. The campaign is also supported by LA County Arts Commission and the Alameda County Office of Education’s Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership.

The campaign brings awareness to demand a quality education for every student in California, and is currently building a base of engaging, passionate people – on the local level – across the state. Join California’s movement for arts education. Sign up at www.createca.org.

Parents’ Guide to Arts Education in Public Schools – VAPA Guide

The California Education Code requires it, but what should students be receiving in arts education at each grade level? California State PTA – in partnership with Create CA – is pleased to launch the newly revised Parents’ Guide to Arts Education in California Public Schools.

This reader-friendly guide provides an overview of what children across the state should learn in the arts disciplines of dance, music, theatre and the visual arts by the end of each grade level.

The Parents’ Guide to the Visual and Performing Arts in California Public Schools was created with parents, guardians and families of students in the California public school system in mind. By using the guide, they show that all students – not just the talented – should have the opportunity to express their unique individuality through creating and learning in and through the arts.

“As a parent myself, I know for a fact that the arts matter. Arts education is so crucial to a well-rounded, comprehensive education for all students,” said former California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald. “I am proud to be a part of an organization that works hard to make sure parents’ voices are heard loud and clear in support of the arts.”

California State PTA has a long history of advocating for a complete education that includes the arts for every child. In 2017, California State PTA adopted the “Declaration of the Rights of All Students to Equity in Arts Learning” to reaffirm its commitment to a full curriculum that includes the arts.

PTA connects families, schools and communities and strives to positively impact the lives of all children and families. For more information on arts education efforts and to download the Parents’ Guide to Arts Education in California Public Schools, click here.

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Trends in Education Parents Need to Know

July 24, 2018

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  • Brad Waller, Vice President for Communications, bwaller@capta.org
  • Michelle Eklund, Assistant Executive Director, 951-314-3707 or meklund@capta.org

With thousands of kids heading back to school starting as early as next week, California State PTA offers the top three trends in education during this back-to-school season.

Family engagement leads to student success. Research shows that authentic family engagement is a key factor in long-term student success – including better student attendance, higher graduation rates and increased student achievement. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor Assembly Bill 2878 (Chavez). This important measure is a family engagement bill that seeks to use research-based guidelines to define what authentic family engagement could look like in Education Code in order to guide schools, districts and county offices of education.

Safe children are better learners. We believe that every child is entitled to a safe and peaceful school environment that is orderly and empowering, in which students and staff are free to learn and teach without the threat of physical and psychological harm. When kids feel safe and secure, they can better focus on learning at school and in the home, and can achieve academic success.

It starts with attendance. Children need to be in school to learn – it’s that simple. If children don’t show up for school every day, they miss out on developing fundamental skills. Data shows children who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade. Parents and families are essential partners in making sure students attend school, and play a key role in identifying the barriers to attendance as well as what motivates students to go to school.

“Family engagement makes an amazing impact on student success, along with good attendance and school safety. These trends in education support our mission of support every child in California, both at school and in the home,” said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald.

For more information on these trends and many more resources, visit www.capta.org/tips-for-parents.

Student Artists from Across California Honored

Media Contacts:

  • Brad Waller, Vice President for Communications, bwaller@capta.org
  • Michelle Eklund, Assistant Executive Director, 951-314-3707 or meklund@capta.org

California State PTA honored student artists of all ages from across California at the 2018 California State PTA Annual Convention. Seven of these talented young artists joined us onstage at the Reflections Art Program award event, held on April 28 in Ontario, to receive their Outstanding Interpretation awards.

From kindergarteners to high school seniors, these young California artists embraced the 2018 Reflections theme “Within Reach” as the inspiration for their Award of Excellence-winning works in dance choreography, music composition, film production, photography, literature and visual arts. Each work originally was submitted to the students’ local PTAs and students were then selected to be honored at the PTA council, district and state levels.

View the award-winning works of art and be inspired by their imaginations here:

Each of the seven California State PTA Reflections Art Program Outstanding Interpretation honorees received a medal, a certificate, a $100 award and a trip to the California State PTA Annual Convention in Ontario to present their work on the big stage during Saturday afternoon’s special event.

“The term ‘Within Reach’ can be understood in many different ways. My interpretation of ‘Within Reach’ was people are always within reach. No matter how hopeless they seem; it’s all about whether or not you’re brave enough to reach out and help them,” said Megan Lee, a student from Rosemont Middle School in La Crescenta (First District PTA).

Lee and the other selected California State PTA Reflections honorees’ works were submitted and reviewed for National PTA’s awards. The National PTA honorees, whose works will be included in a traveling exhibit, have just been announced. Their Outstanding Interpretation honorees – including one from California – will be recognized at the National PTA convention on June 23, 2018. (Click here to view.)

Since its establishment in 1969 by National PTA, the Reflections Art Program has brought the arts to life for more than 10 million students across the United States.

“Reflections is a wonderful program for youth,” said California State PTA Reflections Art Program Chair Lisa Snowiss. “When children participate in the Reflections program, they spark their creativity and self-expression and increase awareness of the importance of arts education at the same time.”

The Reflections Art Program is just one of the many ways PTA focuses on promoting access to quality arts education for all students in California and the nation.

“Reflections is such an amazing program. I love seeing the joy on the children’s faces when they’re up on the stage at convention receiving their award,” said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald. “Reflections is great for children because it encourages them to express themselves and engage in art activities, plus it promotes arts education and how important it is in the education of all students.”

The national theme for the 50th anniversary Reflections Art Program is “Heroes Around Me” for 2019. Find out more about award entries, guidelines and bringing the program to your school at www.capta.org/reflections.

PTA Strengthens Position on Firearms and Assault Weapons to Protect All Children

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SACRAMENTO –  In the wake of recent school shootings, California State PTA, the largest child advocacy association, unanimously adopted a revised position statement on Firearms and Assault Weapons. View the revised position statement.

“For more than a century, California State PTA has advocated for safer schools. Gun violence is a public-health crisis that affects us all – most of all, our children and youth. And, it’s preventable,” said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald. “California State PTA supports state and federal legislation that protects all of our children and youth from gun violence.”

The position statement reaffirms and strengthens 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.

“Our members have been reaching out and asking California State PTA to act,” said California State PTA Vice President for Health & Community Concerns Shereen Walter. “Our action to strengthen our position statement sends a clear message — the most effective day-to-day school climate is gun free.”

California State PTA will be addressing gun violence, school safety and mental health issues with federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. on March 13-15 during the 2018 National PTA Legislation Conference. The association is also rallying members to make their voices heard by “calling out” their federal lawmakers on March 14 and demanding an end to gun violence. View the call to action alert.

POSITION STATEMENT

Firearms and Assault Weapons

  • Adopted July 1990
  • Reviewed and Deemed Relevant May 2016 – Community Concerns Commission
  • Revised February 2018 – Board of Managers

California State PTA has a long history and proud tradition of supporting legislation and programs for the safety and protection of children, youth, and families. School safety is a critical priority for all parents, educators, students and community members. We must make every attempt to reduce violence, especially incidents that involve firearms.

California State PTA recognizes the importance of a safe learning environment in attaining the highest level of student learning and achievement. California State PTA believes the most effective day-to-day school climate to be gun-free, but defers to local collaborative decision- making to allow for the presence of law enforcement deployed in community-oriented policing.

California State PTA supports state and federal legislation and restrictions that protect children and youth from gun violence and would:

  • Require a firearm licensure procedure that includes a minimum 3 day waiting period and background check to screen out illegal firearm purchasers such as convicted felons and drug-related offenders;
  • Require a firearm licensing procedure that includes proof of passing a state- certified course in appropriate firearms use and safe handling practice;
  • Restrict internet gun sales, including kits that can be used to make/modify guns;
  • Enforce federal and state minimum age requirements for gun purchases;
  • Require safety devices, including childproof trigger locks, on all firearms offered for sale, delivery or transfer;
  • Prohibit sale and possession of assault weapons for non-military/non-law enforcement use and require a registration process for those persons who now legally own such firearms;
  • Prohibit for non-military/non-law enforcement purposes, the manufacture, importation, possession, sale or resale of accessories and ammunition designed for assault weapons;
  • Ban the manufacture, sale or possession of “junk guns”/Saturday night specials;
  • Ban armor-piercing ammunition;
  • Control the illegal possession of firearms and other lethal weapons on school campuses;
  • Support state and federal funding initiatives for research into the causes and effects of gun violence.

California State PTA believes we must enact legislation that will reduce gun violence and help protect children and youth. California State PTA further supports:

  • Education programs that stress the importance of firearm safety and awareness, including the risks of unsecured firearms in the home, and the use and availability of firearm safety devices, including trigger locks;
  • Education programs to inform parents and community members about the harm and injury gun violence inflicts on children and youth;
  • Public awareness campaigns regarding the importance of legislation for the safety and protection of the public, especially children and youth.

Update as of March 6, 2018

Fringe news outlets have recently published stories incorrectly stating California State PTA’s positions on gun-violence prevention efforts and student demonstrations. California PTA is not organizing any marches or student walkouts.

Gun violence is a public-health crisis that affects us all – most of all, our children and youth. And, it’s preventable. California State PTA will be addressing gun violence, school safety and mental health issues with federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. on March 13-15 during the 2018 National PTA Legislation Conference. We are also asking for your help to “call out” your federal legislators to demand stronger gun-violence prevention legislation. View the action alert.

California State PTA supports the rights of students to express themselves on campus through organized demonstrations, but believes that care must be taken to ensure the orderly operation of the school is not disrupted and the physical safety of students is not threatened. Leaving during school hours to attend an off-campus demonstration places the student outside the safety zone of the school and unnecessarily jeopardizes that school’s education funding. We are aware of several student demonstrations scheduled in the coming days and weeks and have provided guidance for local PTAs that wish to support student voices. View guidance information.

How to Keep Kids Learning During Winter Break

The winter holiday break is a fun-filled time for you and your family to unwind and spend quality time together, but it will be over before you know it! Children’s school success begins at home, and even the simplest steps can mean a big difference for your child’s future. To keep your child’s skills sharp and ensure a smooth transition to going back to school, Scholastic offers tips to keep kids learning:

  • Read for pleasure. Whether your child is in the mood for holiday favorites like The Night Before Christmas or their favorite series, winter break is the perfect chance to stash the schoolbooks and have fun reading.
  • Cook up a lesson. Ask your child for help in the kitchen to whip up some treats. Using measurements is good math practice, especially in fractions!
  • Write thank-you notes. Whether your child is writing notes to gift-givers, teachers or neighbors, this is a great way to practice penmanship, spelling and grammar – plus, it teaches gratitude.
  • Let kids help with online shopping. Need a last minute gift? Help your child shop online with you to help them work on computer and research skills.
  • Maintain reasonable bedtimes. With no school to wake up early for, it’s tempting to let your child become a night owl. A few days before school starts again, ease back into the regular schedule.
  • Have a family game night. Chances are many of your family’s favorite card and board games reinforce skills like reading, counting and drawing. Gather your family to play games you don’t have time for on school nights.
  • Make the most of car rides. Turn the drive to or from holiday gatherings into a fun opportunity to learn. You can look for license plates from different states, count the number of red or green cars you see or play license plate bingo!

Read more ways to keep skills sharp during winter break at www.scholastic.com, and learn how to support learning at home at www.capta.org/supporting-learning-at-home.

California State PTA Responds to Release of New School Dashboard

December 6, 2017

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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Education (CDE) released a new online school accountability resource that shows how local schools are performing based on different indicators at the state and local level. California State PTA Vice President for Education, Mary Perry, released the following statement:

“The School Dashboard will let parents and educators dig deeper into how their school is doing in a variety of different areas and at multiple levels. This is a great asset for California families to further invest in their children’s education.

“California State PTA has long supported the use of multiple measures for state accountability. We are in agreement with the concept underlying California’s new system – that educating students is complex work and that many different things affect their success. A single number ranking can be deceptive in its simplicity.

“The new Dashboard, by contrast, should open up conversations about the progress and performance of our students, our schools and our school districts. It can help parents, community members and school employees identify the important questions to ask and compel district leaders to address those questions honestly and openly.

“In the spirit of continuous improvement, California State PTA will continue to work with other organizations, the California Department of Education and the State Board to make the Dashboard an increasingly effective tool for measuring school success.”

Visit the California School Dashboard at www.caschooldashboard.org.

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