NCPTA Advocacy Priorities
The bylaws of National PTA and the North Carolina PTA both state that a core purpose of PTA is to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
In keeping with that part of the North Carolina PTA mission, and in support of the existing and long-standing policies of North Carolina PTA, the following advocacy priorities will guide the work of North Carolina PTA.
School Funding
In North Carolina, the state government is required by law to make sure that every school system has sufficient funds to provide every child with the opportunity for a sound basic education as defined by the North Carolina Supreme Court and the laws of the state. Local governments also provide funds, but the state is required to make sure the total amount of funding is adequate.
North Carolina PTA will encourage and support initiatives at all levels of government—local, state and federal —to assure that every school system has sufficient funding to provide every child with an opportunity for a sound basic education. That includes sufficient funding for qualified teachers in all classrooms and skilled administrators in all schools.
Teachers and Administrators
North Carolina PTA recognizes that the success of every school depends on the teachers and administrators in that school, supported by active and caring parents.
Parental Involvement
Good schools require parental support and involvement. Parents can and should be active participants in the education of their children. Teachers and administrators can be most effective when they have such support.
As an integral part of its advocacy mission, North Carolina PTA will work to increase meaningful parental involvement in our public schools.
Accountability
North Carolina PTA believes that well-designed and well-administered accountability programs are essential:
Health and Wellness
The education of children depends, to a great degree, on their overall health. Our public schools must help children learn the value of balanced nutrition, sensible exercise and good overall health. North Carolina PTA will support public policies at all levels of government and school programs that help to maintain the health and wellness of children.
How Do I Become An Effective PTA Advocate?
You may be interested in a particular issue in your child’s school, or you may have a general interest in improving all schools in North Carolina. Wherever you choose to advocate for children, a few simple tools will serve you well:
Be Fearless.
Never be concerned that you are an inexperienced advocate. All the best advocates once were inexperienced. You are a concerned citizen, parent and member of North Carolina PTA, and these are the only credentials you need to be an advocate.
Be Helpful.
Sometimes the best way to deal with an issue is to offer your help in solving it. This is part of the North Carolina PTA tradition. We don’t only ask public officials to fix things, we offer to help.
Be Informed.
Learn everything you can about the issue that concerns you. The best advocates frequently know more about an issue than the public official in charge. At leadership training meetings every year, North Carolina PTA informs leaders and members about important issues facing our public schools. Information on the dates and location of these meetings can be found on the North Carolina PTA website or via your local unit president. All North Carolina PTA members are encouraged to attend these training meetings.
Be Civil.
Even when issues are controversial or complicated, civility is a must. Tension and tempers rarely solve anything. Public officials, whether principals, superintendents, school board members or legislators, all deserve civility.
Be Persistent.
Public officials don’t expect you to take no for an answer, and they respect persistence. Some of the most important goals take a long time to achieve.
Always Say Thank You.
Just like Mom said. After a talk or meeting with an official, always thank them. Not only is this courteous, it will be easier to get the next appointment.
The bylaws of National PTA and the North Carolina PTA both state that a core purpose of PTA is to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
In keeping with that part of the North Carolina PTA mission, and in support of the existing and long-standing policies of North Carolina PTA, the following advocacy priorities will guide the work of North Carolina PTA.
School Funding
In North Carolina, the state government is required by law to make sure that every school system has sufficient funds to provide every child with the opportunity for a sound basic education as defined by the North Carolina Supreme Court and the laws of the state. Local governments also provide funds, but the state is required to make sure the total amount of funding is adequate.
North Carolina PTA will encourage and support initiatives at all levels of government—local, state and federal —to assure that every school system has sufficient funding to provide every child with an opportunity for a sound basic education. That includes sufficient funding for qualified teachers in all classrooms and skilled administrators in all schools.
Teachers and Administrators
North Carolina PTA recognizes that the success of every school depends on the teachers and administrators in that school, supported by active and caring parents.
Parental Involvement
Good schools require parental support and involvement. Parents can and should be active participants in the education of their children. Teachers and administrators can be most effective when they have such support.
As an integral part of its advocacy mission, North Carolina PTA will work to increase meaningful parental involvement in our public schools.
Accountability
North Carolina PTA believes that well-designed and well-administered accountability programs are essential:
- To assure that public education funds are spent wisely and effectively;
- To assure that children are actually learning;
- To encourage continued and increased public support for our schools;
- To assure steady progress in closing the achievement gap; and
- To assure that all children are taught essential 21st century learning skills.
Health and Wellness
The education of children depends, to a great degree, on their overall health. Our public schools must help children learn the value of balanced nutrition, sensible exercise and good overall health. North Carolina PTA will support public policies at all levels of government and school programs that help to maintain the health and wellness of children.
How Do I Become An Effective PTA Advocate?
You may be interested in a particular issue in your child’s school, or you may have a general interest in improving all schools in North Carolina. Wherever you choose to advocate for children, a few simple tools will serve you well:
Be Fearless.
Never be concerned that you are an inexperienced advocate. All the best advocates once were inexperienced. You are a concerned citizen, parent and member of North Carolina PTA, and these are the only credentials you need to be an advocate.
Be Helpful.
Sometimes the best way to deal with an issue is to offer your help in solving it. This is part of the North Carolina PTA tradition. We don’t only ask public officials to fix things, we offer to help.
Be Informed.
Learn everything you can about the issue that concerns you. The best advocates frequently know more about an issue than the public official in charge. At leadership training meetings every year, North Carolina PTA informs leaders and members about important issues facing our public schools. Information on the dates and location of these meetings can be found on the North Carolina PTA website or via your local unit president. All North Carolina PTA members are encouraged to attend these training meetings.
Be Civil.
Even when issues are controversial or complicated, civility is a must. Tension and tempers rarely solve anything. Public officials, whether principals, superintendents, school board members or legislators, all deserve civility.
Be Persistent.
Public officials don’t expect you to take no for an answer, and they respect persistence. Some of the most important goals take a long time to achieve.
Always Say Thank You.
Just like Mom said. After a talk or meeting with an official, always thank them. Not only is this courteous, it will be easier to get the next appointment.