To see current Florida PTA Advocacy information, visit Advocacy – Hillsborough County Council PTA (hccptaptsa.org).
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Two-thirds of the way down the page is the Florida PTA Legislative Priorities Brochure, a 2-page handout summary.
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At the bottom of the page is the Hillsborough County Public Schools 2022 Legislative Platform.
Both are excellent sources of current information.
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Kids may be reluctant to report incidents of bullying if they fear being labeled “tattlers” or “snitches.” As the trusted adult in their lives, you play an important role in empowering them to speak up and be more than a bystander. Please click here for more information.
There are very important differences between bullying in-person and bullying online. Be sure you know how cyberbullying differs from its more traditional counterpart. Click here.
Support Student Access to Mental Health Services
Ask your Members of Congress to Cosponsor the Mental Health in Schools Act
Recent tragedies across the nation have highlighted the need – more than ever – for improved access to mental health services. Despite research showing the importance of school-based mental health services, nearly 70 percent of adolescents living with mental illness do not receive treatment. The American School Counselor Association recommends one school counselor for every 250 students, yet the national average during the 2010-2011 school year was one counselor for every 471 students.
Please urge your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation which has been introduced in the last several Congresses, and would establish a grant program to school districts to expand access to mental health services by providing vital assistance to utilize innovative community partnerships in training school staff, volunteers, families, and other members of the community to recognize the signs of child and adolescent behavioral health problems and refer them for appropriate services.
Parent Trigger Bill Defeated!!!
April 30, 2014Thank You!Florida PTA extends a huge thank you to our members who called, emailed and testified in person, against the Parent Trigger legislation, entitled the Parent Empowerment Act.As an advocacy association, celebrating 90 years of advocacy, we provided our membership with the tools needed to advocate for every child. Florida PTA, together with every other parent group in our state, questioned the purpose of the legislation.Florida PTA thanks all Senators who listened to their constituents and voted today with their conscience. They heard our concerns and did what was right for all students.Florida PTA knows by reaching out to our members and providing to them the tools to be a strong, powerful voice for all children, they become better informed on the important role that they have.Florida PTA continues to “empower all” on the importance of advocating for all children. Why PTA? Because our children matter!### |
Florida PTA comprises hundreds of thousands of families, students, teachers, administrators and business and community leaders devoted to improving the lives of children/youth in our state. PTA is the oldest and largest child advocacy association in the state of Florida, as well as the nation. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children. More information is available by contacting Florida PTA (407/855-7604 or executivedirector@floridapta.org).
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National PTA is asking for our help. As the US Senate considers their fiscal year 2014 Budget Resolution (S. Con Res. 8), they are set to vote on at least one amendment that would create a federal private school voucher program, diverting public funds away from public schools.
Urge your Senators to “vote NO” on any amendment to the Fiscal Year 2014 Senate Budget Resolution that creates a private school voucher program!
The federal role in public education is to promote equal access to high quality education, set high standards, and ensure accountability for all students. Voucher programs run counter to that role, have proven ineffective in improving student outcomes, lack accountability to taxpayers, and place the individual rights of students at risk. PTA urges the US Senate to reject any amendment to divert scarce fiscal resources away from public schools.
