Advocacy in the Fast Lane Family Engagement in

Advocacy in the Fast Lane Family Engagement in Federal Law Joshua Westfall Lindsay Kubatzky Jacki Ball Director of Government Affairs Manager Government Affairs Coordinator National PTA

Agenda 1. PTA Leg. Con welcome packet 2. Overview of ESSA 3. Family engagement provisions in federal law 4. Statewide Family Engagement Centers 5. Hill day ask

PTA LEGCON WELCOME PACKET

Left Side Leg. Con Welcome Packet 1. Talking Points: Statewide Family Engagement Centers 2. Hill Day Logistics Guide 3. Conducting Visits with Members of Congress 4. Senate and House Dear Colleague Letter

Le. Con Welcome Packet E Right Side 1. Public Policy Agenda 2. National PTA Legislative Endorsements 3. ESSA: What Does This New Law Mean for My Child 4. ESSA: Family Engagement 5. Statewide Family Engagement Centers (one pager)

OVERVIEW OF ESSA

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) • ESSA was signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 10, 2015 • Reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)— previously known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) • The new law includes key provisions for family engagement

Overview of ESSA Title I—Improving Basic Programs Operated by State and Local Education Agencies Title II—Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-Quality Teachers, Principals, or Other School Leaders Title III—Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students Title IV— 21 st Century Schools

Overview of ESSA Title V—State Innovation and Local Flexibility Title VI—Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education Title VII—Impact Aid Title VIII—General Provisions

ESSA Resources • New PTA ESSA Resource web page www. pta. org/ESSA • U. S. Department of Education ESSA web page www. ed. gov/essa • Send questions to essa. questions@ed. gov • Releasing guidance, regulations and FAQs

Transitioning to ESSA • Formula grant programs will operate under NCLB structure for 2016 – 2017 school year • State Accountability systems under NCLB end August 1, 2016 • Priority and Focus schools must continue interventions in SY 16 -17 • New statewide accountability systems to be developed and in place by SY 17 -18

Transitioning to ESSA • ESEA flexibility/waivers expire August 1, 2016 • State and local report cards still in effect through 2016 – 2017 school year • Competitive grant programs go into effect on October 1, 2016

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROVISIONS IN ESSA

Title I: Parent and Family Engagement (Sec. 1116) • School districts are required to have a written parent and family engagement policy • School districts must reserve at least 1% of funds for family engagement • Use of funds for family engagement: • professional development • home and community programs • sharing best practices • collaborating with organizations

Title IV: Statewide Family Engagement Centers (Part E) • A reauthorized and improved version of the Parental Information and Resource Center (PIRC) program in No Child Left Behind • Competitive grant program to statewide organizations or a consortia of statewide organizations • Authorized at $10 million in ESSA

STATEWIDE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT CENTERS

Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) Work with state and local level agencies to support family engagement Provide professional development on evidencebased and effective family engagement strategies Provide direct services to families on how to effectively work with their child’s school and teachers

Authorization vs. Appropriations Authorizers: • House Committee on Education and the Workforce • Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Example: Statewide Family Engagement Centers are authorized at $10 million in ESSA

Authorization vs. Appropriations Appropriators: • Appropriations Committees • Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Services (LHHS) Subcommittee handles education funding Example: Statewide Family Engagement Centers FY 2016: $0 FY 2017: TBD

Appropriations Timeline October 1 st: Fiscal Year (FY) Begins February: Presidents Budget Request March - May: Congress Deliberates

Appropriations Timeline May - July: Appropriations Bills Introduced August: Recess September 30 th: End of Fiscal Year

HILL DAY ASK

Ask Your Members of Congress • Fund Statewide Family Engagement Centers at $10 million in FY 2017 • Sign on to the Dear Colleague Letter • House: Mark De. Saulnier (D-CA) • Senate: Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jack Reed (D-RI)

Ask Your Members of Congress ü Sign on to the Dear Colleague Letter House Letter Signatories • Rep. Mark De. Saulnier (D-CA) • Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) • Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) Senate Letter Signatories • Sens. Chris Coons (DDE) & Jack Reed (D-RI) • Sen. Michael Bennet (D -CO) • Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)

Why Fund SFECs • Over 40 years of research shows that family engagement is critical for student success • • Attend school more regularly Earn better grades Enroll in advanced-level courses Have higher graduation rates • Ensure that our nation’s students are fully prepared for higher education, workforce and career opportunities in the 21 st century

Make Your Ask Local • How would funding SFECs help your state, district and school? • How much funding did your state receive for PIRCs in FY 10? • How many families and students will be affected? • Where is the gap in family engagement in your community? How will SFECs help?

Hill Day Leave Behind 1. Statewide Family Engagement Centers (one pager) 1. Executive Summary of the Public Policy Agenda 2. Senate Dear Colleague 2. National PTA Letter Legislative Endorsements 3. House Dear Colleague Letter

Ask Your Members of Congress • Fund Statewide Family Engagement Centers at $10 million in FY 2017 • Sign on to the Dear Colleague Letter • House: Mark De. Saulnier (D-CA) • Senate: Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jack Reed (D-RI)

After the Meeting: Keep the Pressure On • Thank you @Congressman for meeting with @State. PTA to discuss funding Statewide Family Engagement Centers in FY 2017 #PTALeg. Con • . @State. PTA hopes @Congressman will sign on to the Dear Colleague letter to fund SFECs in FY 17 • Post a photo with a staffer and/or Member of Congress

After the Meeting: Keep the Pressure On Send a follow up email to your Member of Congress Tell your Member of Congress to fund SFECs by sending a letter through the PTA Takes Action Center

After the Meeting: Keep the Pressure On Invite your Member of Congress to visit or attend a PTA meeting and/or event Schedule to meet with the state or district office when you get back to follow up

QUESTIONS

Please Fill Out the Session Evaluation Form • www. PTA. org/Leg. Con. Eval • National PTA Event App