Each year the Kentucky PTA legislative team reviews the issues that we will focus on during the upcoming legislative session. Using both the adopted Kentucky PTA and National PTA legislative platforms and resolutions as a reference and considering the needs in Kentucky, the legislative team drafts proposed priorities to present to the state board of directors. The board votes on these suggested priorities at the fall board meeting. Upon adoption, the priorities are delivered to each Kentucky legislator at the beginning of the yearly session. They are also shared with our many partners in education and health and safety.
2011 Kentucky PTA Legislative Priorities
Kentucky PTA promotes legislation designed to protect all children and youth; legislation designed to meet the education, health, and welfare needs of children and youth, and legislation designed to assist in preparing children and youth to intelligently assume the ever increasing responsibilities of citizenship.
#1 Main Focus of Kentucky PTA:
SUPPORT ADEQUATE FUNDING IN EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN 2011
Position Statements:
- Kentucky PTA believes that the state must fully fund all programs it mandates to local school districts either by legislation or regulation.
- Kentucky PTA is concerned that 21 years ago (1989) state funding for K-12 education was higher than it is today (2011).
Other Legislative Focus Areas:
- Support increased physical activities during the school day for K-12 students.
- Support regulations on labeling and marketing energy drinks (stimulants) to any child 18 years of age or under.
- Support strong regulations that will include Art education in the core requirements for a high quality comprehensive public education.
Education Funding:
- Funding to support the parent involvement recommendations listed for involving families & community in improving student achievement in the KDE Commissioner’s Parent Advisory Council’s Report, called “The Missing Piece of the Proficiency Puzzle”, presented to KDE, June 2007.
- Funding to support nurses in all schools.
- Full funding for full day kindergarten.
- Full Funding for preschool which provides the flexibility necessary to allow school districts to serve “at risk” three year old children if all eligible “at risk” four year old children are served.
- Full funding for Family Resource and Youth Service Centers (FRYSC).
- Full Funding for the School Facilities Construction Programs based on current needs assessments.
- Oppose the use of public funds for non-public schools, including charter schools, vouchers, tax credits, and student transportation.
- Increased funding for Gifted & Talented and Special Needs programs.
- Fund technology to meet the state’s education technology goals.
- Funding for the School Based Decision Making Council’s Parent FBI record check
School Based Decision Making
- Add at least one additional parent to school based decision making councils.
School Based Employee Compensation
- Support compensation for employees that will include, but is not limited to, an increase in salaries and health benefits.
Health and Safety Issues
- Support emphasis on the importance of nutrition education, encourage the implementation of a comprehensive nutrition program in Kentucky schools.
- Support increased physical activities during school day.
- Support an increased cigarette tax and taxing of other tobacco products.
- Support regulations for marketing and labeling energy drinks for children ages 18 and under.
