Parents Across America invites existing local or statewide education groups who share our overall goals of progressive, positive education reform and more parent input in education policymaking to affiliate with us. The more of us there are, the stronger our voice will be at every level.
We are also looking for parents who are interested in forming new chapters of PAA in their states and/or local communities. Check out what we believe, and if you agree, join with us!
Be advised, however that as a chapter of PAA, you cannot endorse candidates for elective office. You can do so as individuals, as long as you emphasize you are not speaking on behalf of the organization.
We collaborate with our affiliates and chapters to coordinate our national activities, help promote events, offer space on our website and/or contribute to our blog, send out alerts about key issues, share policy and research resources, and work in coalition on our common goals.
If you are interested in having your existing group become a PAA affiliate, or you would like to form a new chapter of PAA, please write us at: info@parentsacrossamerica.org
Our growing list of chapters and affiliates is here.
Hi there,
I have been talking with many parents, teachers, coworkers, etc. for years about concerns with our public schools that just keep on growing. My daughter is in kindergarten and I’d like a forum to feel I’m productively making things better for her rather than waiting around for someone else to do it. I’d like to look into starting a PAA chapter in Central NY. The closest one to us is in Rochester which is almost 2 hours away. I have gauged interest locally and will not be alone in this. Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks so much!
- Susan Williams
We just launched a new publication to assist us grant public school wish list. Join us to spread the word and seeking collaboration with all companies to make this happen. We want to help anyway we can! Contact Margie Garcia
1.800.530.2858 or email info@kidsentertainmentmagazine.com
One way parents can get involved is to form technology-guidance committees at their schools. Overlooked is the fact that many schools can save money with innovative (and often free) Web 2.0 tools. Teachers are learning how to use them, but schools must provide proper platforms for students and teachers to use technology efficiently. I am organizing parent-teacher-technology groups with free templates and support (my background is in high tech and I am now credentialed). See this page, and please consider joining: http://schoodl.com/parent-teacher-learning-network/ Thanks
Announcement: A voucher debate is scheduled for 10/26 at 7 pm at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg. We have a lovely flyer for it. If someone would like to email me, I will be happy to forward a copy. Meanwhile, here is the script from the flyer:
School Vouchers…
Necessary education reform?
Or
The destruction of
Public education?
Get Informed!
Join the Conversation!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
7:00 PM
This fall, the PA Legislature will debate SB1.
This bill, if approved by the PA House and Senate and signed by the Governor, would establish a voucher program in Pennsylvania.
An educational voucher program is a system through which some parents are given a tuition certificate, funded by tax dollars, which may be used to pay for all or part of the tuition for a child to attend a participating public, private or religious school.
YOU
DECIDE!!!
Debate Panel
Otto V. Banks, Executive Director
REACH (Road to Educational Achievement through CHoice)
Dr. Jill Sunday Bartoli, Ph.D.
Elizabethtown College
Matthew J. Brouillette
Commonwealth Foundation
Dr. Joan Duvall-Flynn, Ed.D.
NAACP
Senator Mike Folmer (R)
PA Senate District 48
Andrew (Andy) Hoover
ACLU of PA
Dick Komer, Esq.
Institute of Justice
Dr. Timothy Slekar, Ph.D.
Penn State, Altoona Campus
The debate will be moderated by Scott Gilbert.
Moral Issues Series
Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
1280 Clover Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17113
717.564.4761
Child Care Provided
I am pleased that PAA is not endorsing political candidates…it is a very solid position from which to question the arbitrary policy mechanisms that churn out mindless reforms that bog down our schools.
A suggestion I would make is that PAA demand the qualifications of EVERY media voice that verbalizes political policy garbage: NBC ‘education experts’ would be first on my list. Arne Duncan is a perfect example of a non-educationally qualified appointee who never took an education credit in college.
A second area of focus should be on the number of school administrators who spent 5 years or less in a teaching position before being elevated to become an ‘instructional leader’…whether they practiced or achieved effective teaching status or not. If they could not teach effectively, what qualifies them to evaluate or determine effective teaching in another classroom?