FEATURED SPEAKERS

Speakers will address current topics from EdSource, Legislative Analyst’s Office, Ed100, CAPTA, and more. 

Tony Thurmond – California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Shereen Walter – President, California State PTA
Josiah Kitonga – Managing Director, California State PTA
Kathleen Fay – Director of Legislation, California State PTA
Ken Kapphahn – Principal Fiscal and Policy Analyst, California Legislative Analyst’s Office
Carol Kocivar – Ed100
Kevin Gordon – President and Partner, Capitol Advisors Group
Patrick O’Donnell – Chief, Governmental Relations, California School Boards Association
Senator Anthony Portantino – Senate Appropriations Chair
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi – Chair of Education Committee
Assemblymember Diane Dixon
Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva
Assemblymember Tri Ta
And more…

LEGISLATOR MEETINGS

Prepare Yourself

• Sac Safari 2024 Schedule 
• Key Messages – Leave Behind
• Talking Points
• 6 Practical Tips on How to Advocate with your Legislator  | pdf
• Legislator Visit Organizer
• Legislator Visit Report

A Quick Review – Education Funding in California

• How is CA’s budget created?
• Where is CA’s budget headed?
• How does CA compare to other states?

Example of a Legislative Visit

Courtesy of California State PTA LegCon 2021

PLAY VIDEO

FAQs

When Did PTA Become So Political?

Many people think PTA exists only to raise money for schools. That has never been the case. PTA was founded in 1897 to address the way our country nurtures, protects and educates its children. Those concerns continue to be PTA’s primary focus.

PTA members work hard to support their own schools, but they realize that every child deserves a healthy upbringing and a good education. This can only be accomplished by securing “adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.”

PTA carefully studies the facts and supports or opposes proposed laws or ballot measures that affect children and youth, based on the purposes and values of PTA and on resolutions approved by the membership. PTA members are encouraged to learn how the various levels of government function and to take action when children’s issues are at stake.

PTA is active in political issues but is not partisan. PTA does not support or oppose any political party or any candidate for political office, but does advocate for issues to promote and protect the welfare of our children, youth, and families.

What Are Our Obligations as PTA Representatives?

We represent PTA, including our home unit, council, and district PTA.

• The opinions we express to policy makers, our knowledge base, and our demeanor reflect on PTA and are taken to represent PTA’s views.
• Do your homework on issues using the CAPTA.org and FourthDistrictPTA.org for advocacy information.
• Read the California State PTA Toolkit, about Advocacy. Study the Legislative Platform and Policies. Look at PTA’s position statements and past convention resolutions.

Why Does PTA Matter?

We are approaching 90,000 members that represent more than 400 schools and over half a million students in Orange County and southeast Los Angeles County.

Strength in experience: Our members are on the front lines daily, volunteering in our public schools. Prior to COVID, our members volunteered almost 4 million hours in the school year, a donation in services of nearly $100 million to benefit our public schools.

Strength in diversity: Our members are parents, grandparents, community members, students, school board trustees, school administrators, educators, and school site staff members. We represent members from many ethnic and socioeconomic groups, with many different religious beliefs and political persuasions.

Strength in history: Our members have served schools and communities in our county since 1914…that’s over 100 years of service to schools! As an organization under the National PTA and the California State PTA umbrella, we have served children nationwide since 1897.

Strength in message: We speak for all children with one voice. We have no ulterior motives or agendas. Our advocates are volunteers, dedicated to speaking on behalf of all children and youth.