Legislation and Advocacy Resources

This page is dedicated to information, and resources for PTA leadership, Legislation and Advocacy chairs and any PTA member committed to advocating for every child.

Still have questions? Contact the First District PTA VP Legislation & Advocacy David Cole via email at Legislation@PTA1.org.

Latest Advocacy News

There are several ways you can get involved in our advocacy efforts and help make a difference:

• Get informed and engaged with CAPTA’s Advocacy Updates and Legislative Action Reports
• Attend the annual CAPTA Legislation Conference
• Contact your legislators
• Research current legislation
• Learn more about California’s state budget
• See California laws by subject area
• Check out federal legislation and policy information from National PTA
• Review PTA position statements and resolutions

Advocacy Resources for PTA Leaders

California State PTA

• Legislative Program
• Organizational Goals and Advocacy Team
• Job Description for Legislative Advocacy Chair

National PTA

• National PTA Takes Action
• National PTA Policy Agenda
• Where Social Media and Policy Collide
• The Power of Parents

Overview of Education Systems

• State
• Federal
• School Districts
• California State Standards for College and Career Readiness
• Tests: Standardized Measures of Student Success
• Smarter Balanced Assessments
• A Well-Rounded Education
• Time: After-School, Summer School, Class Size, Absences

State Legislative Information

• How a Bill Becomes A Law
• Structure of California State Legislature
• Senate Roster
• Assembly Roster
• Legislative Leadership
• Committees, Hearings and Events
• Legislative Calendar
• Sample Legislative Calendar

State Budget and School Finance

• Annual Budget Process
• Navigating the Budget Process
• Spending: Does California Skimp on Schools?
• What do Education Dollars Buy?
• Prop 13 and Prop 98
• Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)
• What’s a Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)?
• LCAP Resources and Handouts
• How Facilities are Financed

Education Advocacy News and info

• Fingertips Facts in Education – California
• State Board of Education
• Legislative Analyst’s Office (State) – Education Publications
• Congressional Budget Office (National) – Education
• Ed100 (the source for many of the links on this page)
• EdSource
• National Center for Education Statistics
• Smart Voter (League of Women Voters)
• WestEd