Advocacy Communicator
April 2024
Dear PTA Advocate,
The April 2024 issue of the Advocacy Communicator is available online! Please click here to view it.
In this issue:
- Bills that California State PTA supports
- Learn how to help depolarize our communities
- Bringing creative change to your school
Talking Points to help you easily present an up-to-date advocacy report at your PTA meeting are also available here.
If you have any questions, please either email me at: advocacy@fourthdistrictpta.org or our Advocacy Communicator Editor, Gisela Meier, at: advcomm@fourthdistrictpta.org.We’re here for YOU!
-Candi Kern
Director of Advocacy
Fourth District PTA
Past Issues
2024
March 2024
- Concerns about the budget deficit
- Our messages to state legislators
- Key points from Safari speakers
- Talking Points
February 2024
- The governor’s initial budget proposal
- Ideas from the Fourth District PTA Advocacy Forum
- Information about the March Primary Election
- Talking Points
January 2024
- A $68 billion deficit in the next state budget
- Why is the California state budget a roller coaster?
- Candidates for three seats on the Orange County Board of Education
- Idea-sharing Advocacy Forum on January 19
- Talking Points
2023
December 2023
- New requirements for the Local Control Funding Formula
- Orange County School Board withdraws requested change for now
- Information about statewide testing results
- Talking Points
November 2023
- Advocacy Forum with state legislators
- PTA-supported bills that have become law
- Information about Sacramento Safari
- Talking Points
October 2023
- Fourth District PTA position in OCBE duties
- Time to visit your legislators
- Get ready for your school district’s LCAP
- Talking Points
September 2023
- What is in this year’s state education budget?
- Grand Jury reports on Orange County children
- Resources for advocates
- Talking Points
June 2023
- Gov. Newsom’s revised education budget
- Proposed dyslexia screening mandate
- Information about Prop. 28 arts education funding
- Talking Points
May 2023
- PTA advocacy is important – get ready for next year!
- Fourth District PTA leaders take on State PTA roles!
- State bills supported by PTA
- Talking Points
April 2023
- Testing students for dyslexia
- Superintendents Forum – don’t miss it!
- CAPTA State Convention
- Talking Points
March 2023
- Prop. 28 arts education funding is coming
- Fourth District PTA’s messages to legislators
- CAPTA’s position on DEI
- Talking Points
February 2023
- Governor Newsom’s budget proposal for education
- Why your legislative district may have two senators, or none
- The LCFF at 10 years
- Talking Points
January 2023
- Work continues on the state’s Cradle-to-Career longitudinal database.
- The California School Dashboard is back.
- Flavored tobacco ban goes into effect.
- Talking Points
2022
December 2022
- Education budget cuts are coming. How bad will it be?
- Election results for Orange County.
- Time to register for Sacramento Safari!
- Talking Points
November 2022
- How to get involved in your district’s LCAP process.
- An Orange County resource for accurate school information.
- PTA-supported bills that passed into law.
- Talking Points
October 2022
- Vote YES on Prop. 28 and Prop 31
- PTA and the General Election
- Get ready to go to Sacramento
- Where school funding comes from
- Talking Points
September 2022
- Another record-breaking education budget
- Vote yes on Prop. 28 and Prop. 31
- Advocacy Training Workshop on September 16
- Talking Points
June 2022
- A record-breaking education budget and CAPTA’s response
- Getting ready for next year’s LCAP process
- Test your knowledge about the California legislature
- Talking Points
May 2022
- Now is a good time to start planning school board candidate forums
- How to be a powerful PTA advocate
- Kevin Gordon will speak on the Governor’s May revise budget
- Talking Points
April 2022
- Two opportunities for high school student advocates
- Candidate forum for OC Superintendent and OC Board of Education
- Advocacy activities at the California State PTA Convention
- Talking Points
March 2022
- A bill to increase base grant amounts, sponsored by California State PTA
- An effort to dramatically increase arts education funding for public schools
- A bill to change the timing of Orange County Board of Education elections
- Talking Points
February 2022
- Information about the Governor’s “incredibly bold” proposed education budget.
- How are Orange County school districts coping with the pandemic?
- Sacramento Safari will be virtual.
- Talking Points
January 2022
- A new state budget process begins: how will the $31 billion surplus be used?
- Fourth District PTA Advocacy Forum with Orange County school superintendents
- A new statewide student tracking system
- Talking Points
2021
December 2021
- A positive prediction on school funding
- Information about the Local Control Funding Formula and recommendations to improve it
- California State PTA statement on the vaccination mandate
- Talking Points
November 2021
- A potential fiscal cliff for California schools
- California State PTA Advocacy Goals for 2021-23
- Bills supported by PTA that have become law
- A new OCDE resource for information on current education issues
- Talking Points
October 2021
- Putting together a resolution for the 2022 PTA State Convention
- Virtual Advocacy Training Workshop on October 8
- Resources for arts education advocates
- Sacramento Safari is going back to the state capitol
September 2021
- The largest education budget in California history—how will it be spent?
- Information on the recall election
- Resources to help you be an effective advocate for children
- Talking Points
June 2021
- The biggest education budget in California history!
- More mental health services at schools
- Last chance to provide input on your school district’s LCAP
- Talking Points
May 2021
- How you can build your PTA advocacy program.
- Why the “May revise” is important.
- Bills that California State PTA supports.
- California State PTA convention.
- Talking Points
April 2021
- California is creating a Cradle-to-Career Data System
- Requests to Congress from the National PTA Legislative Conference
- State bills supported by California State PTA
- Talking Points
March 2021
- State lawmakers pass a $6.6 billion bill to reopen schools
- Proposed bills that California State PTA supports
- CAPTA’s 10 recommendations for the safe reopening of schools
- Talking Points
February 2021
- Governor Newsom’s budget proposals to reopen schools and address student learning loss.
- Information from State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond.
- Virtual PTA advocacy events in February and March.
January 2021
- California schools to receive $6.8 billion from federal relief package
- California lawmakers begin introducing bills that impact schools
- State issues school reopening plan with input from PTA
- Four upcoming virtual PTA advocacy events
- Talking Points
2020
December 2020
In the December 2020 Communicator:
- California may receive $26 billion in unanticipated tax revenues
- Information about Fourth District and State PTA legislative events
- How you can help our State PTA lobbyists quickly and easily
- The tobacco industry is a step closer to stopping a ban on flavored tobacco products
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs December 2020
November 2020
In the November 2020 Communicator:
- Decline to sign on to tobacco industry’s effort to stop a new law
- The annual Superintendents Forum is coming to your computer
- The various sources of school funding
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs November 2020
October 2020
In the October 2020 Communicator:
- A $17.8 billion shortfall in education funding
- Voting options for the November 3 General Election
- Resources for well-informed advocates
- New state law bans the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs October 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020
In the September 2020 Communicator:
- Advocacy Forum and Training on September 11.
- Get ready to vote in the General Election.
- California State PTA supports Proposition 15 and 16.
- A new version of the LCAP.
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs September 2020
JUNE 2020
In the June 2020 Communicator:
- California’s proposed education budget is grossly insufficient. The harms will be severe and lasting. Children will be hurt. Find out what you can do.
- A Statewide Association Meeting will replace this year’s CAPTA Convention. Sign up!
- CAPTA Advocacy Webinars will continue this summer.
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs June 2020
May 2020
In the May 2020 Communicator:
- A call to action by National PTA and articles explaining why this is urgent.
- New LCAP requirements for school districts.
- Update on the Schools and Communities First initiative.
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs May 2020
April 2020
In the April 2020 Communicator:
- California State PTA positions on recent bills
- What the federal relief bill means for schools
- The California Lottery has been shortchanging schools
- How school district superintendents are dealing with the crisis
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs April 2020
March 2020
In the March 2020 Communicator:
- A report on Sacramento Safari
- Fourth District PTA’s messages to state lawmakers
- National PTA’s response to President Trump’s proposed budget
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs March 2020
February 2020
In the February 2020 Communicator:
- Important information! 13 on the March Primary Election ballot is a $15 billion school facilities bond. It does not change your property tax.
- What’s in Governor Newsom’s proposed state budget?
- Thoughts from Orange County superintendents.
- Get ready for a new way of voting in Orange County.
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs February 2020
January 2020
In the January 2020 Communicator:
- Orange County’s new way of voting
- Why the 2020 U.S. Census is important
- The status of the contested Orange County Department of Education budget
- Fourth District PTA Advocacy Forum on January 24
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs January 2020
2019
December 2019
In the December 2019 Communicator:
- Two state initiatives supported by California State PTA that would increase school funding.
- How your PTA can support a local school facilities bond.
- Why the Orange County Department of Education is in an unprecedented situation.
- An upcoming Advocacy Forum with Orange County school superintendents.
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs December 2019
November 2019
In the November 2019 Communicator:
- Bills supported by California State PTA that have become law
- A CAPTA co-sponsored bill on education funding that is still under consideration
- An explanation about boards of education in Orange County
- An exciting Advocacy Forum with state legislators
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs November 2019
In the October 2019 Communicator:
- Advocating for arts education in your school district.
- Now is a good time to visit your state legislator in his or her local office.
- New rules for charter schools.
- Details on Sacramento Safari, the most exciting advocacy event of the year!
- How to plug into California State PTA advocacy conference calls.
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs October 2019
In the September 2019 Communicator:
- What you need to know as a new Advocacy Representative
- Legislative Bills to watch
- Do we have enough school funding?
- Important Advocacy Forum dates
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs September 2019
June 2019
In the June 2019 Communicator:
- Update on Governor’s May revise of the budget. Education spending up $3.8 billion to $147 billion this year.
- AB 39 Muratsuchi passed the Assembly to raise LCFF base education funding to closer the per pupil national average.
- Charter schools may be getting greater student acceptance oversight.
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs June 2019
May 2019
In the May 2019 Communicator:
- Get an update on CA Charter School legislation
- Plan for next year’s advocacy now!
- Healthy Youth Act requirements
- Join the May 28th Advocacy conference call!
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs May 2019
April 2019
In the April 2019 Communicator:
- California PTA positions on current legislation update
- Join the next CAPTA Advocacy Conference Call
- Do you have and Advocacy representative for next year? Here’s how to get started now!
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs April 2019
March 2019
In the March 2019 Communicator:
- Sacramento Safari Update- Mental Health Services and More
- Charter School Legislation Update
- Mental Health Resources
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs March 2019
February 2019
In the February 2019 Communicator:
- Governor Newsom’s proposed budget = good news for families
- LCAP resources you can use now!
- CAPTA joins Create CA to promote art programs for all students
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs February 2019
January 2019
In the January 2019 Communicator:
- Easy steps to advocate directly to our state legislators
- National PTA stance of National School Safety Report
- Have you registered for Sacramento Safari yet??
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs January 2019
2018
December 2018
In the December 2018 Communicator:
- Register for Sacramento Safari now! Prices go up December 16th
- More money next year for public schools
- Issues affecting Educational Funding
- Midterm election results
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs December 2018
November 2018
In the November 2018 Communicator:
- LCAP starts now! Learn how to get involved!
- Sacramento Safari Registration is open
- State legislative updates
- November 16th Advocacy Forum: “Follow the Money!”
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs November 2018
In the September 2018 Communicator:
- Learn about new updated study on the state of CA’s public schools
- CA Dashboard gets a make-over, a preview
- Important Sacramento Safari Registration Information
- Voter Registration- Yes! PTA can help with that too- learn how
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs October 2018
In the September 2018 Communicator:
- New! List of PTA Advocate Resources
- An update on PTA’s Family Engagement bill AB 2878
- Importance of Arts Education for all children
Remember to use the Talking Points to introduce the Communicator at your September PTA meeting!
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs September 2018
In the June 2018 Communicator:
- The Governor’s May revision of the state education budget
- An update on PTA’s Family Engagement bill AB 2878
- Update on the Local Control Funding Formula
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs June 2018
In the May 2018 Communicator:
- Update on California legislation supported by California PTA
- Fun facts to find at ed100.org
- Join in the next California PTA Advocacy call
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs May 2018
In the April 2018 Communicator:
- Late Start legislation for 7-12th graders
- Additional education funds from the state budget this year
- Legislation update on state bills supported by California PTA
- Join in the next California PTA Advocacy call
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs April 2018
In the March 2018 Communicator:
- A quick Sacramento Safari recap!
- How to join California PTA’s call to action against gun violence on March 14th #nomore
- New study shows correlation between higher education funds and student success
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs March 2018
New ‘Next Steps’ An easy way to advocate now!
February’s Communicator includes:
- Governor Brown’s proposed 2018-2019 education funding explained
- Defining Family Engagement for the Local Control Accountability Plan
- How important Parent Involvement is to student success
- Dashboard information
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs February 2018
January’s Communicator includes:
- Advocating for children with your local school board
- LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) involvement
- What additional funds might mean for education in 2018
- Sacramento Safari Information
Talking Points for Legislative Chairs January 2018
2017
December’s Communicator includes:
- Ron Bennett’s CA education funding predictions for the 2018
- A summary of how California funds our public education system
- Previews the next Advocacy Forum on January 12 with CAPTA President Dianna MacDonald and Lynn Miyamoto CAPTA VP of Family Engagement
In this edition, PTA supported CA legislation summarized, effects of poverty on children and a link to our new Legislative Agenda!
This issue highlights a new way to compare your school district’s art curriculum with other schools through CreateCA. It includes legislation updates coming out of Sacramento and provides registration information for Sacramento Safari!
In this edition, we give you advocacy ideas you can use, and summarize the latest news on state and federal education budgets.
In this edition, we give you advocacy ideas you can use, and summarize the latest news on state and federal education budgets.
In this edition, we discuss the latest on charter schools, cover PTA positions on proposed legislation, and give you some tips on getting ready for next year. Are you ready to advocate?
In this edition, PTA responds to the proposed federal budget and how it handles education issues. For arts advocates, we offer Ed Code info to back you up. And if you missed our recent Advocacy Forum panel of five OC Superintendents, we recap some of the highlights here – what an amazing group!
In this edition, learn what PTA had to say about the U.S. Secretary of Education appointment. We also have updates for you on the new school accountability dashboard, money coming for school facilities, reasons to advocate for the arts, and info on the March 21st Advocacy Forum – a panel of five OC Superintendents. Get the details here!
We cover a lot of material in this edition, including the latest on the state budget that reveals some surprising news about where money for schools and education is really going. We also have opportunities coming up for you to learn more about how your own school district will be measuring up and what superintendents have to say about it. Read on!
In this issue, we explain how you can easily advocate for children with just a phone call or email. We also give you an outline with important dates for the new state legislative session. We invite you to our January 18th Advocacy Forum to learn about the state’s new school accountability system. And we tell you about three exciting opportunities in advocacy. Don’t miss this edition!