1 of 10

PTA Advocacy Legacy

PTA is the largest child advocacy association in the

nation. Advocacy has been an important part of PTA

for over 100 years. From the beginning, PTA leaders

have been focused on giving our children the

highest advantages in physical, mental, social and

spiritual education.

2 of 10

WAYS TO ADVOCATE IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS

Estimated Time & What You Can Do

1 minute: Leave a phone message

5 minutes: Make a phone call

Write a postcard

10 minutes: Send an email to all the people you know who have email

30 minutes: Write a letter to the editor of the PTA newsletter

Write and email a letter to the editor of the local paper

Write and email a press release to the local newspaper

Meet with your legislator (plus travel time)

3 of 10

● Keep it brief: Discuss one bill or issue in a letter/email.

● Identify Yourself: Include your name and organization you represent.

● Get to the Point: Follow your introduction with a brief statement of your issue or concern.

● Relate it to Home: Help the legislator understand why your position is important to constituents. Include specific facts about how a bill will impact educators, students or schools in the legislator’s district.

● Allow for Follow Up: Include specific contact information and offer to act as a resource should the legislator or staff have questions or need additional information. State in the letter that you will follow up with a telephone call.

● Address the Letter/Email Correctly: Use correct title of Senator, Representative and

include “ U.S. / Texas House of Representative” or “U.S./Texas Senate”.

4 of 10

TEXAS HAS THE SECOND BIGGEST ECONOMY..YET:

5 of 10

UNDERSTANDING SCHOOL FUNDING

6 of 10

Tier 1 State Revenue

6

Property Taxes

State Funding

The size of a school district’s cup is determined by the sum of over 20 different allotments, which depend on a number of different factors, including:

  • Student Characteristics
  • District Characteristics
  • Instructional settings

7 of 10

RISING COST OF DOING BUSINESS

8 of 10

9 of 10

IMPORTANT ADVOCACY RESOURCES

10 of 10

PTA VOTES!! JOIN US FOR RALLY DAY FEBRUARY 24

GENERAL ELECTION VOTING: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024

October 7 Last day to register to vote

October 21 Early Voting Starts

October 25 Last day to apply for ballot by mail

November 1 Last day of early voting

November 5 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Election Day