2023-2024 NYS PTA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

New York State PTA advocates for all children and youth from birth through post-secondary education. Legislative Priorities, adopted by the NYS PTA Board of Directors at the annual pre-convention meeting, lists annual advocacy priorities. Legislative Priorities may be amended by the NYS PTA Board of Directors as social conditions and government policies necessitate additional response and action.

Support for Public Education

• Support funding and reforms that provide equal and equitable access to high-quality education, delivered by highly qualified staff, and prepare all children for college, career, and citizenry;
• Update the Foundation Aid Formula by ensuring adequacy, equity, clarity, predictability, flexibility and accountability. (1) Update the Successful Schools Model and Foundation Amount using outcome-based measures to identify “successful” districts; (2) Model available alternative poverty measures to 2000 Census and FRPL; (3) Update data used to calculate index values (using a three-year rolling average); reconfigure regions to extent possible; and (4) Eliminate the 0.650 floor applied to Income Wealth Index. Determine whether any districts or municipalities may be precluded from raising ELC without a property tax cap override;
  Full priority areas can be found at: https://www.nyssba.org/clientuploads/nyssba_pdf/gr/ecb-foundation-aid-10062023.pdf
• Support targeted funding to assist struggling schools in receivership, English Language Learners, school safety initiatives, and CTE Programs for all students; strengthen mental health for students and educators, and expand learning opportunities for children;
• Modify the tax cap to better reflect the fiscal realities of schools, by providing an “allowable levy growth factor” of at least 2 percent, implementing adjustments related to BOCES capital improvements and PILOT properties, amending the carryover provision, and eliminating the supermajority requirement, all of which disregard uncontrollable costs, create greater educational inequities, and limit local determination of educational opportunity;
• Support legislation that would change the method of funding charter schools to eliminate any adverse impact on existing school districts and ensure charter school accountability;
• Oppose all unfunded mandates;
• Oppose the diversion of public funds from public schools for vouchers and tuition tax credits;
• Support fiscal independence for the Big Five City school districts;
• Support adequate funding for school districts to provide continuing professional development for educators, school-related professionals, school leaders, and other school staff;
• Support adequate, predictable, and equitable funding for all school districts that includes continued funding for maintenance and modernization of school facilities, and funding for general school operations that honors past funding commitments;
• Support full funding for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and all other federal laws affecting the education of children and youth in New York State;
• Support adequate and equitable access to music and arts education for all children;
• Support full-day kindergarten and universal pre-K for all students; support adequate and equitable funding for universal pre-K and full-day kindergarten;
• Support efforts to maintain optimal and lower-class size for instruction at all levels;
• Support meaningful and expanded diploma options for all students, especially those who cannot successfully fulfill current Regents requirements, or do not qualify for the new Superintendents Determination or other safety net options;
• Support a meaningful review of, and amendments to, pathways to graduation and high school exit requirements;
• Support meaningful local adoption and implementation of restorative practices in school buildings;
• Support adoption and implementation of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies, curriculum, initiatives, and practices in all schools;
• Strengthen College and Career Pathways, and update the caps on aid for BOCES salaries and Special Services Aid in Big Five city school districts, which have not been updated since 1990;
• Support funding and services for Part 154 regulation implementation;
• Support expansion and implementation of Farm to Market programs for improved school meal nutritional value;
• Support permanent adoption of universal school meals for all students;
• Support continued funding and implementation of year-round school-based meals for all children and youth;
• Support full funding for and implementation of Breakfast After the Bell;
• Support adequate ratios for school-related professionals, including, but not limited to, school counselors, licensed clinical social workers, school nurses, and other support personnel;
• Support full funding for all increased expenses to ensure a safe environment for all students and staff; and
• Support funding for and implementation of digital and tech equity for all students and staff
• Support the creation and implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Health Education programs.

Safe and Nurturing Environments

• Support appropriate and timely delivery of required services for all children and youth, including, but not limited to, services specified in individual educational plans, 504 plans, academic intervention services, and other required services;
• Support healthy children and youth evidence-based initiatives, including those addressing mental, social-emotional, and physical health needs;
• Support development of positive and inclusive school climates and cultures;
• Support services and programs for prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives for children and youth for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis (marijuana) and other substance use disorders;
• Support legislation that regulates the manufacturing, marketing, and use of electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices;
• Support a ban on flavored tobacco-related products, including menthol and mint flavors;
• Continue to oppose the commercialization, normalization, and sale of recreational cannabis (marijuana);
• Support the adoption of regulations for the manufacturing, marketing, and labeling of cannabis products;
• Support the adoption of law and regulation for the manufacturing, marketing, and labeling of cannabidiol (CBD) and related products;
• Support initiatives that foster a supportive school climate and restorative practices;
• Support policies and initiatives that engage home, school, and community in violence prevention planning and measures;
• Promote educational programs for increased awareness of current gun possession laws, safe storage of guns and ammunition, and emphasizing the effects of misuse of guns;
• Support quality, affordable, and accessible school-based before-school, and after-school programs;
• Support initiatives to require the use of appropriate and safe seat belts on all school buses;
• Support legislation and regulation to establish a healthy maximum classroom temperature in school buildings;
• Advocate for improved child nutrition, including prevention of obesity and eating disorders, and healthy levels of physical activity;
• Support legislation and regulations that limit a student’s exposure to foods and beverages containing pesticide-tolerant bioengineered, genetically modified (GMO) and genetically engineered (GE) foods;
• Support legislation, policies, and regulations that protect children and youth when using the Internet, wireless devices, and other forms of electronic communication, and the use of their personal data;
• Support initiatives that foster a school environment free of toxic substances;
• Support expansion of lead-free and PFAS free water laws, regulations and initiatives
• Support funding and services for Raise the Age implementation;
• Support legislation, policies, and regulations that minimize student exposure to dangers posed by multi-lane highways, and bus stop locations;
• Support legislation, regulations, and policies that create safe, inclusive, supportive, affirming, and accepting school environments for transgender and gender non-conforming students; and.
• Support legislation, regulations, and policies that protect children and youth from the dangers of gambling, including the monetization of video gaming.

Parent and Family Engagement

• Support the development and implementation of meaningful New York State Family Engagement Standards by the Board of Regents;
• Support representation of NYS PTA as a strong voice for parents and families on statewide and local interagency parent and family cabinets/councils;
• Support the development and implementation of effective parent and family engagement plans as required under Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); and
• Support expansion of Statewide Family Engagement Centers.

2023-2024 Legislative Priorities (pdf)

2022-2023 Legislative Priorities (pdf)

2021-2022 Legislative Priorities (pdf)

2020-2021 Legislative Priorities (pdf)

2019-2020 Legislative Priorities (pdf)

2018-2019 Legislative Priorities (pdf)

2017-2018 Legislative Priorities (pdf)