2012 Legislative Priorities

 

As the largest and oldest volunteer child advocacy association in the state, Connecticut Parent Teacher Student Association (CT PTSA) provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child and the best tools to help their children be safe, healthy, and successful in school and in life.

Connecticut PTSA recognizes the fiscal challenges that are facing the state of Connecticut. We feel that the issues we are concentrating on have either no cost, minimal cost or in the long run will cost the state less than not doing it.

 

CT PTSA encourages the   legislature to adopt statewide legislation allowing for municipalities to   create nonpartisan Boards of Education.

 

Rationale: Connecticut is one of the few states in the nation   that still has partisan boards of education. The focus of the members of the   Board of Education must be on improving educational quality and facilities   for all children. Partisan members may not act in the best interest of   education for all children in their decision-making processes. Party   affiliated Boards of Education members have and could continue to make their   decisions based in a political party caucus. We believe that they must be   able to think first of the child and not the political party philosophy.  Additionally, the listing of candidates for   Board of Education members by party on the ballot can and sometimes does   result in a candidate being elected because of their party affiliation rather   than their qualifications.

 

Connecticut PTSA supports   legislation that encourages Early Childhood Education

 

Rationale: Data shows that children who participate in a   formal, high quality, early childhood education come to school more prepared   to learn. They have a higher level of literacy and they achieve at a higher   level.

 

CT PTSA also recognizes that the most cost effective   way of closing the achievement gap is to provide a formal high quality early   childhood education.

 

Connecticut PTSA urges the   State Department of Education to support strong parent involvement   professional development for all teachers and other certified personnel and   further urges the State Legislature to require the Higher Education   Commission to include parent involvement course(s) in their education   certification programs for teachers, administrators and superintendents.

 

Rationale: Thirty years of research clearly shows that parent   involvement at all levels of decision making in schools improves student   achievement.

To reach their full potential, students need parents   to take an active role in their education. Schools are working hard to   provide a high-quality education for every child. But they cannot do it   alone. Parent involvement is critical to creating great schools.

 

Connecticut PTSA feels that for this to be   accomplished there must be some training. Teachers, administrators and   superintendents historically have not been given the necessary training on   how to involve parents in a meaningful way.

 

Connecticut PTSA supports   legislation that encourages the development of a healthy and respectful   school climate that allows students to be free of bullying and harassment and   which recognizes that student discipline should reflect positive and   preventative classroom management.

 

Rationale: All students should feel physically and   emotionally safe at school. A respectful and positive school climate   encourages positive behavior and supports student success.