Family Engagement in Education Act
Special Action Alert

Dear PTA Advocate, Typically the Action Alerts you receive from the Illinois PTA deal with legislation at the state level. This alert is asking you to "take action" at the Federal Level, and endorse the Family Engagement In Education Act no later than May 2, 2011. The link to the National PTA "Take Action" menu will allow you to contact your federal representative and let them know that you believe that parents and families do play an integral role in the education of our children. Thank you for your work on behalf of our children.

                                                                                                                               Barb Quinn, Legislation Chair, Illinois PTA

Talking Points for SB1932

The Illinois School Choice Program is designed to be a "pilot" voucher program for students from Chicago Public Schools that are ranked as "lowest performing" based on the number of students that do not meet or exceed performance standards demonstrated by the Illinois Standards Achievement Test or "over-crowded" as determined by the Chicago Board of Education. Please phone, fax, e-mail or write to your state senator  (under Take Action/Legislation tab, access Governmental Contact List) to express your opposition to SB1932 for these reasons:
     •    The Legislation Platform of the Illinois PTA calls for adequate legislative and/or financial support for operation, maintenance and construction of tax supported schools, and opposes the direct or indirect use of public funds for non-public schools.
     •    Opening the door to vouchers in any specific school district in the state would be the first step in opening the door to vouchers in every school district in Illinois
      •    Vouchers divert money from public schools already inadequately funded by the state--in this case, the cost estimated by the State Board ofEducation is approximately $3600 per student directly removed from the funds allocated to Chicago Public Schools, which could be as much as $108M annually;
      •    Research-based evidence in states where vouchers have been adopted suggests that those students attending non-public schools do no better academically than their public school peers;
     •    Vouchers do not ensure "parental choice" as non-public schools can deny applications for any reason, thereby creating "administrative choice" or in other words, it is the private school that has the choice; and,
     •    Public schools, which educate 90% of all school-age children, are required to adhere to standards of accountability, such as student assessment and reporting, which are not applicable to non-public schools.
     Let your state senator hear from you, urge them to vote NO on this bill, and remember, always say "I'm PTA!" Should you have any comments, concerns or questions please contact a member of the Legislation Team.

Barb Quinn,     Legislation Chairman         bquinnpta@aol.com       847.985.9078
Gretchen McDowell,    State Legislation Consultant     gretmcdowell@aol.com     773.238.0885
Sarah Williamson     Federal Legislation Consultant      s_williamson@mail.com      309.579.2860