ALEXANDRIA, VA. (January 10, 2017)—The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Laura Bay:

“Today, members of the House of Representatives came together to announce the newly-formed House Public Education Caucus. We applaud the leadership demonstrated by Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI), Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) in forming this caucus to support our nation’s public schools, its students, their families and teachers.

“National PTA supports the mission of this caucus and our association remains steadfast in our approach of putting the needs of all children first by advocating for high-quality public education. National PTA supports public education as the major vehicle for preserving the basic values of a democratic system of government and opposes any private school choice system—vouchers, tax credits or deductions—that divert public school resources.

“For 120 years, National PTA has been a leading voice in the pursuit of putting children first in policy decisions at the federal, state and local levels. Our association looks forward to working with the Public Education Caucus to provide all children with high-quality, public educational opportunities which promote their well-being.”

For more information about National PTA’s position statements, visit PTA.org/Advocacy.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.