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

More Recent PTA Legislative Issues

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:

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