Virginia PTA Capitol Day Goes Virtual!
PTA advocacy is happening every day in school board meetings and schools across the Commonwealth. Every January, when the General Assembly convenes, PTA officers and members from across the state meet in Richmond to talk with legislators about the challenges that face our schools.
This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will hold a #VirtualRally and host #CapitolConnections, a series of virtual meetings with our legislators. At no other time in recent history has our voice been so needed!
Prior to the pandemic, Virginia already ranked 41st in the nation for per pupil state spending and 33rd for early childhood education. Fourteen percent of K-12 students in Virginia don't have broadband access at home and 12% of Virginia's K-12 students don't have a computer at home. Sixty percent of Virginia's schools are more than 40 years old and do not meet modern health and safety standards. The General Assembly has under-funded staffing recommendations made by the Virginia Board of Education for the past decade. The over-reliance on local real-estate taxes has widened opportunity gaps across our state and resulted in staffing standards that allow for part-time principals, no registered nurses and case-loads that exceed the national standard for school counselors, psychologists and social workers.
As our school leaders work to provide safe in-person instruction and high-quality distance learning, we know that long standing funding and staffing inequities must be addressed to protect the health of our students and ensure a quality education!
Virginia PTA is setting up meetings with legislators, preparing talking points and identifying bills that align with our approved resolutions and priorities.
We invite you to join us for Virtual Capital Day to share your stories.
Help our legislators #TakeAction4Kids by sharing the challenges and success you see in your schools!
IMPORTANT DATES
- Governor's Budget Announcement (Wed. Dec 16th)
- House and Senate Budget Hearings (Wed. Jan 6th 10:00am Information)
- Advocacy Learning Lab: Part 1 (Thurs. Jan 7th, 7:00pm - 8:30pm)
- Advocacy Learning Lab: Part 2 (Tues. Jan 12th, 7:00pm - 8:30pm)
- 2021 General Assembly Starts (Wed. Jan. 13th)
- #VirtualRally (Thurs. January 14th)
- #ConstituentConnections. (Jan 18th - Feb 5th)
- Advocacy Learning Lab: Part 3 (Thurs. Jan. 21st, 7:00 - 8:00pm)
- Advocacy Learning Lab: Part 4 (Thurs. Feb 25th, 7:00 - 8:00pm)
REGISTER
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Learning Lab Webinar Part One: |
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Learning Lab Webinar Part Two: |
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Learning Lab Webinar Part Three: Presenters: Shelley Loving-Ryder, Assistant Superintendent, Department of Student Assessment, Accountability, and ESEA & Julie Molique, Director, Office of Accountability |
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Learning Lab Webinar Part Four: |
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#ConstituentConnections (Jan 18th - Feb 5th)Please register to participate in a Town Hall style discussion with your state delegate and senator. Dates and times will be based on legislator availability between January 18th and February 5th. This will be an open conversation to amplify our Virginia PTA priorities, share your personal stories and the challenges or opportunities your school faces. Your District Advocacy Chair will contact you with detailed information about how to participate. If you live in an area without a District Director a member of the Virginia PTA Advocacy Committee will schedule meetings with your representatives and support your Constituent Connection meeting. |
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#VirtualRally - THURSDAY JANUARY 14th!
#VAPTAAdvocacy, #TakeAction4Kids, #VirtualRally, #ConstituentConnections, #SchoolStaffing&Equity Virginia PTA 2021 Session Legislative Priorities you can reference for your signs. Social Media Toolkit! |
WATCH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION
Fast Links
- General Assembly Information Main Page (Look up Legislators, Committees, Legislation, Budget etc)
- Fast Link to Legislative Information System (to track bills)
Live Session Video
- House of Delegates Chamber Video
- House of Delegates Committee Video
- Senate of Virginia Streaming
Key Committee Meeting Links & Scedule
House - Education (Monday, Wednesday 9am)
Sub Committee: PreK-12 (Friday 7am)
Sub Committee: SOL & SOQ (Monday 7:30am)
House Appropriations (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1/2 hour after adjournment)
Sub Committee: Elementary and Secondary Education (Wednesday 4pm)
Senate Education & Health (Thursday 8am)
Sub Committee: Public Education
Senate Finance & Appropriations (Tuesday & Wednesday 9am)
Sub Committee: K-12 Education
QUICK REFERENCE
VAPTA Legislative Priorities & Resources
Call to Action & Bill Watchlist for this Session!
Inside the Issues
Advocacy Afternoon Webinars
Helpful Links
Who is My Legislator?
General Assembly Information
Legislative Information System (to track bills)
Virginia Department of Education list of bills
Virginia Public Access Project
Virginia Red Book, Capitol Connections
Glossary of Legislative Terms
How a Bill Becomes a Law (Kids Version)
Map of Capitol District
Map of Capitol Building
VIDEO RECAP OF CAPITOL DAY - 2020 SESSION!
QUESTIONS? Contact Vice President of Advocacy (advocacy@vapta.org)