PTA Reflects on State of the Union: Expand, Enforce NCLB Parent Involvement Provisions, Increase Education Funding

Note: The following statements can be attributed to Anna Weselak, PTA national president.

Reauthorization of No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
“PTA wants to see parent involvement provisions expanded in NCLB and school districts to adhere to those provisions. Currently, there is little to no accountability. Congress must find a way to enforce what it passed five years ago.

“It’s no secret: parent involvement equals student achievement. Engaging effectively parents and families in their children’s education has the potential to be far more transformational than any other type of educational reform.

“The law in its current form does not give explicit instructions to the state or the local education agency on how and when parents should be involved. We should work together to find a consistent method to keep parents informed about how their child’s school is doing and what they are doing to become proficient under NCLB.

“PTA urges Congress to partner with us and other stakeholders to reauthorize NCLB as effectively and swiftly as possible. We see reauthorization as an opportunity to shore up some of the items that were overlooked or found to be flawed.

“We look forward to having a seat at the reauthorization table as the country’s premiere parent involvement experts. It’s no coincidence that the parent involvement provisions included in NCLB are based on PTA’s National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs.”

Increase in Education Funding
“Demands are placed on schools to improve student achievement without sufficient resources to hire qualified teachers, expand compensatory education programs, upgrade technology, implement parent involvement, and repair facilities. The bottom line is this: we need to make a firm commitment to children’s education and fund it appropriately.

“Greater financial resources are needed for our Nation’s schools. Since the passage of NCLB, Congress has provided consistent increases in Title I funding. However, overall federal education spending was cut for the first time in 10 years in FY2006 appropriations—the most recent funding year approved. Slashing education funding is detrimental to our Nation’s effort to prepare our students for a competitive global market. A sustained, increased financial investment is needed to achieve the goals of NCLB.”

About PTA
PTA comprises nearly 6 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.