ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Jan. 20, 2015) — The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Otha Thornton:
“This evening, President Barack Obama delivered the annual State of the Union address, calling on Congress to pass legislation that fulfills the promise of equity and opportunity for every child. National PTA applauds President Obama’s support of education and dedication to ensuring the success of all our nation’s children.
“Since our founding, PTA has championed the importance of equal opportunity for every child, regardless of his or her economic status, gender, religion, prior academic achievement, disability or behavioral history. Inequalities endure in American schools, and PTA continues to advocate for all children to have the opportunity to grow and achieve through education.
“PTA believes that greater financial support is essential for schools and districts to be able to provide a quality education to every child. While federal law mandates educational equity and opportunity for all children, insufficient federal resources are allocated to serve all students and families in need of elementary and secondary education programs. Achievement gaps are widening as the result of inequitable distribution of resources in publicly funded schools and a lack of increased investment in both the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind (ESEA/NCLB) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Gaps among ethnic and socioeconomic lines are found in nearly every measure of achievement, including math and reading test scores, high school graduation rates, and college enrollment and completion rates. Federal investment in quality education for all children is critical to their and our nation’s long-term success.
“National PTA urges the Administration to continue to call for comprehensive reauthorization of the ESEA/NCLB in 2015. Families have waited for more than seven years for this reauthorization and bipartisan legislative action is critical to provide support and resources to schools to improve student achievement and ensure equal opportunity for every child.
“Education is a vital investment in our children, families, communities and nation. National PTA remains committed to working with the Administration and Congress in 2015 to ensure every child receives a world class education that enables him or her to reach his or her full potential.”
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 parent involvement 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.