: January 2009

2009 initiatives to be highlight of PTA Legislative Conference

PTA is publishing its 2009 Public Policy Agenda after presenting the document to President-elect Barack Obama's transition team in a one-on-one meeting last month. The Agenda focuses on three key priorities: parent engagement in education; opportunity and equity for all children; and child health. The priorities were selected based on the following criteria:

• Timeliness of issue (is it being considered before Congress and the Administration)
• Opportunities for PTA to provide leadership and expertise to Congress
• Alignment to mission and resolutions
• Ability to achieve a meaningful policy change that will produce positive results for children and their families

Public Policy Agenda builds on history of great achievements for children
PTA has a rich history of effective national advocacy — including President Theodore Roosevelt's service on PTA's advisory board; PTA's national campaigns on child labor laws, school vaccinations, school lunches, and the creation of the juvenile justice system; and organization efforts to ensure that television networks provide ratings for informing parents on the content of programming. With the incoming administration and new Congress, there will be many opportunities for PTA members to speak up for every child and advocate for the new annual public policy agenda. So stay tuned in, be ready for action, and join us at the 2009 Legislative Conference.

Additional Resources

• PTA.org — Download PTA's 2009 Public Policy Agenda

Chicago Schools Chief Named Education Secretary

Arne Duncan worked with PTA, education entrepreneurs in Chicago

In mid-December, CEO of Chicago Public Schools Arne Duncan was nominated as the new secretary of education for the incoming Obama administration. Duncan has been the CPS chief since 2001 and has earned a reputation as a reformer by implementing some relatively sweeping changes, including the closing of many schools due to academic failure. He also has provided support for charter schools and other innovations in public education and is expected to implement a similar approach in his new Cabinet position.

Duncan knows importance of working with community
During his tenure as CEO, the members of Illinois PTA and Chicago Region PTA found Duncan to be "supportive" and "always open to their input." Betty Durbin, the retiring president of Chicago Region PTA, found that the CPS chief "wanted the PTA perspective on every issue," and believes that as secretary of education he certainly won't forget how important parent involvement is to a successful school community. Not only did Duncan offer an open door to PTA, he ensured that his staff was present at monthly PTA advisory meetings to seek feedback on his proposed school policies.

While Duncan's style has rankled some in the Chicago area, he points out his successes by citing all-time highs for elementary test scores (65% of students meeting or exceeding state standards), competitive college scholarships ($157 million), and new school openings (34) — in addition to an all-time low in teacher vacancies at the start of the school year (3%) in a 2008 report. In an interview with National Public Radio, Duncan stated that the model he hopes to bring from Chicago to his post in Washington is bringing "educational entrepreneurs, visionaries, to the table to help shape a new vision" for education.

Additional Resources

• Chicago Tribune — Background article on Arne Duncan
• Edutopia — Arne Duncan article, interview video
• Catalyst: Chicago — Three part report on Arne Duncan's track record as Chicago Public Schools CEO
• PTA.org — Comparison of Obama campaign's positions on education issues to PTA's stances
• National PTA President Reacts to Appointment of Education Secretary

Report: States Slash Education Amidst Recession

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report "Most States Are Cutting Education," released on December 23, 2008, states are experiencing debilitating budget deficits due to the nation's ongoing economic woes, leading 27 states to slash funding for education. At least 18 states have cut funds for K-12 education, with at least two more proposing similar cuts. Many states have also made steep cuts to pre-kindergarten programs and other early intervention and education programs for children. The report indicates that public colleges and universities are also feeling the pinch. At least 24 states have cut funding for public colleges and universities and/or are raising tuition prices due to state deficits. At least two additional states are considering cuts to higher education.

The economy's ripple effect, a new administration
State revenues have declined significantly, says the report, due to rising unemployment, foreclosures, and declines in consumer spending and asset values. Because nearly all states must balance their general fund budgets, state budget deficits often lead states to severe cuts in education, the largest component of state budgets. State deficits are expected to top $350 billion in the next 2 1/2 years. Cuts are expected to deepen, and more states are expected to implement cuts as the recession continues—unless the federal government, which is allowed to run deficits, provides the necessary assistance to states to support education.

The report is available at http://www.cbpp.org/12-17-08sfp.htm.

In light of campaign pledges and recent comments, President-elect Obama may be considering increasing investments in education despite the economic turmoil. On December 17, 2008 Education Daily reported, the President-elect as stating that in the long term, education would have the greatest impact on helping the nation's struggling economy.