ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Feb. 7, 2017)—The
following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Laura Bay:
“Today, Betsy DeVos was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Education.
Throughout the confirmation process, National PTA joined other education, civil
rights, disabilities and community organizations in expressing strong concerns
for Secretary DeVos’ lack of experience with public education; unfamiliarity
with the challenges and opportunities facing the nation’s public school
students, families and educators; and support of programs that divert critical
public school resources.
“National PTA looks forward to informing Secretary DeVos on
all of our public
policy priorities, including equitable public education
for all, healthy and safe schools, protections for our nation’s most vulnerable
youth and the importance of family engagement in education. Where we are in
alignment, we stand ready to work together, however, policies of the
administration that attempt to weaken public education will continue to meet
National PTA’s opposition.
“National PTA has long stood and advocated for
high-quality public education to ensure all children have the opportunity to
reach their full potential. Our association
remains steadfast in our belief that public education must be strengthened with
the support of adequate funding and continue to be governed by public
officials. We oppose any private school choice system—vouchers, tax credits or
deductions—that would divert public school resources.
“In
addition to investing in public education, National PTA urges Secretary DeVos
to improve the Department of Education’s role in advancing family engagement as
a tool to increase student achievement and transform schools and communities.
We strongly encourage the administration to carefully consider how family
engagement can be integrated into all appropriate policy initiatives
that it advances or supports. In particular, we urge the administration to fund
the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) program and for the Department
to utilize the appropriate resources to assist in the dissemination of research
and best practices to support family engagement in local communities.
“Furthermore,
National PTA hopes that Secretary DeVos will ensure continued implementation of
the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). We also hope she will continue to
prioritize stakeholder engagement in the implementation of the law. It is
essential that parents and other stakeholders have a seat at the table as
states and districts develop new education plans to provide valuable input and
hold them accountable.
“National
PTA is committed to working collaboratively with Secretary DeVos and the
Department of Education to implement these
recommendations and advance policies that ensure all children reach their
highest potential. Critical progress has been made to improve education,
provide educational equity for all children and
make sure every child is prepared for long-term success. We cannot go
backward.”
About
National PTA
National PTA® comprises
millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and
community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the
promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3)
nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all
children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong
advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to
be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of
children and youth.
Media
Contact
Heidi May
Wilson, National PTA
hmay@PTA.org, (703)
518-1242
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