ADVOCACY
2023-24 NECPTA Advocacy Chair: Robbie Shepherd advocacy@necouncilpta.com
Please RSVP so we can plan appropriately.
The Advocacy Chair will spearhead advocacy efforts as well as share pertinent information with the Advocacy Committee and PTA members.
PTA Advocacy History
PTA is the largest child advocacy association in the nation. Advocacy has been an important part of PTA for over 100 years. From the beginning, PTA leaders have been focused on giving our children the highest advantages in physical, mental, social and spiritual education.
Early PTA Advocacy Issues
The abolition of the public drinking cup
Creation of vaccination requirements
Creation of birth certificate
Creation of kindergarten
Creation of school lunch programs
The proper construction of school buildings
The married women’s property rights bill
Allowing jury service for women
More Recent PTA Legislative Issues
T-21, raising the age to purchase tobacco products
Transformation of school funding system
Increased emphasis on school safety
Funding of school-based health clinics
Including school supplies to the annual tax-free holiday
Requirement of site-based decision making committees on all campuses
The restriction of children riding as cargo in the back of pickup trucks
Statewide safety standards for playgrounds
Graduated Driver’s Licenses for teenagers
Reduction in the number of End-of-Course Exams required to graduate
How Can You Advocate?
Advocacy simply means “the act of speaking on the behalf of or in support of another person, place, or thing.
As parents, we advocate for our children all the time. What you do to improve laws, policies and conditions on behalf of children is advocacy; whether in your community or at the district, state and federal levels.
PTA defines advocacy as the act of mobilizing individuals and Local PTAs to work with the State and National PTA to spark changes in programs and policies that benefit children.
Here are some simple ways to advocate:
Learn about Texas PTA’s Legislative Priorities for the 87th Legislative Session
Sign up for Texas PTA Action Alerts and find your representatives at txpta.org/take-action.
Check out the Texas PTA Advocacy Page and National PTA Advocacy Page for more useful information!
Advocate in 30 Minutes or Less!
It’s easy to advocate for public education! How much time do you have?
Est. Time What You Can Do
1 minute Leave a phone message.
5 minutes Make a phone call.
5 minutes Write a postcard.
10 minutes Send an email to all the people you know who have email.
30 minutes Write a letter to the editor of the PTA newsletter.
30 minutes Write and email a letter to the editor of the local paper.
30 minutes Write and email a press release to the local newspaper.
30 minutes Meet with your legislator (plus travel time).
More advanced ways to advocate might include conducting a forum or hosting a rally.
Events
Texas PTA holds Rally Day in the odd numbered years when the legislature is in session. Texas PTA brings our many voices together for a jubilant day in Austin, culminating on the steps of the State Capitol. It is a day to exercise the mission of PTA: advocate for all children.
In the even numbered years, Texas PTA holds a virtual advocacy event build around one of the legislative priorities. In 2020, that event was Straight Talk: A Matter of Life and Breath, a deep dive into vaping and e-cigarettes.
Resources
Subscribe to Texas PTA's Under the Dome newsletter to receive advocacy-related communications. Sign up for Texas PTA newsletters at txpta.org/newsroom.
Sign up for Texas PTA Action Alerts at txpta.org/take-action.
Check out the
Texas PTA Local Advocacy Page including the Advocacy Basics Resource Guide
Texas PTA Advocacy Basics Webinar Training at txpta.org/courses.