Every Child s Potential Is A Reality

Transcription

1 Every Child s Potential Is A Reality Legislative Priorities 2011

2 Maintain funding levels for public schools, which includes projected enrollment growth. Maintain funding for school and community library programs. Loan Star Libraries TexShare K-12 databases Telecommunications Discount Program Maintain pre-kindergarten. Texas PTA supports smaller class sizes for students. While there is no specific, single class size that automatically guarantees success for students, we know that smaller classes generally lead to greater student achievement, especially when paired with quality instruction and parent involvement. Pursue an adequate and equitable solution for school funding while maintaining accountability and responsibility for educating the whole child. In tough budget times we hope policymakers will use a scalpel rather than a buzz saw when considering budget cuts and revisions to class size statute. Texas ability to maintain its strong business and economic climate is directly tied to its commitment to the education of its children. Incentivize schools and school districts to maintain a focus on educating the whole child through support at the local level for arts instruction and physical activity.

3 Synthetic cannabis is an herbal and chemical product which mimics the effects of cannabis. It is best known by the brand names K2 and Spice. It is also known as Genie, Dascents, Zohai, Sage, Knock Out and other names. When synthetic cannabis products first went on sale, it was thought that they achieved an effect through a mixture of legal herbs. Laboratory analysis in 2008 showed this was not the case. Sold under various brand names, online, in head shops and at some gas stations, it is marked not for human consumption, but the products are usually smoked by users. Although synthetic cannabis does not produce positive results in drug tests for cannabis, it is possible to detect its metabolites in human urine. Ban possession and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 or Spice and educate the public about their harmful effects. The synthetic cannabinoids contained in synthetic cannabis products have been made illegal in many European countries, but remain legal under federal law in the USA. Several US states have made it illegal including Kansas, Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Arkansas, Oregon, and Illinois. The Drug Enforcement Agency considers synthetic cannabis to be a drug of concern. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, several other states are also considering legislation, including Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Indiana, and Ohio. Texas cities to ban K2 thus far include Sachse, Dallas, Wylie, Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney and Mansfield.

4 Cyber-bullying is bullying using electronic means including, but not limited to, telephones, cellular phones, computers, pagers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and websites. A 2006 survey by Harris Interactive reported that 43% of U.S. teens having experienced some form of cyber-bullying in the past year. Cyber-bullying can occur on or off school property. If the conduct interferes with a pupil s educational opportunities or substantially disrupts the orderly operations of a school or school-sponsored activity or event, the school should be able to take action to resolve the conflict. Parent and student education and staff training are key to addressing this newest form of bullying. Strengthen bullying statute to incorporate a clear definition of cyber-bullying, and to provide tools and resources that enable schools to deal with all forms of bullying. Identify student, staff and parent education needs. A 2004 survey of 1,500 students between grades 4-8 conducted by I-Safe.Org reported: 42% of kids have been bullied while online. One in four has had it happen more than once. 35% of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five has had it happen more than once. 21% of kids have received mean or threatening s or other messages. 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than four out of ten say it has happened more than once. 58% have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.

5 Reinstate physical education and health education requirements at secondary levels. Research shows healthy habits learned in childhood support proper growth and development of children s bodies and brains and promote better health outcomes in adulthood. Because good mental and physical health are linked to learning ability and because good health is a critical predictor of future productivity, it is essential that Texas schools provide students with access to learning environments that support healthy lifestyles. Fight Obesity - Support programs that promote movement, activities, healthier food choices and menus, and promote school, family and community participation.

6 Obesity and diet-related diseases are the greatest threat to children s health today caused, in part, by a lack of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Farm-to-school programs help combat obesity and other diet-related diseases by serving healthy meals in school cafeterias and providing nutrition education opportunities to increase child preference for healthy foods. Farm-to-school programs also help increase the demand for fresh, locally-grown produce and help local farms have economic success. Support Farm-to-School Programs Pursue healthier food choices for children, promote awareness, community involvement and economic development. The Interagency Farm-to-School Coordination Task Force, established to promote a healthy diet for schoolchildren and the business of small to mid-sized local farms and ranches, has developed a plan to facilitate the availability of locally grown food products in public schools. The plan seeks to coordinate efforts with existing initiatives that have similar objectives to improve the health of schoolchildren and stimulate our local farm economy. By coordinating existing elements of these programs, and by implementing new but proven strategies, Texas has the opportunity to set the standard for vibrant local food systems, sustainable farm economies and healthy schoolchildren.

7 Texas PTA supports a comprehensive statewide smoke-free law to protect the health of workers, especially our youth, from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke causes more than one million illnesses in children and youth each year, including 150,000 to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections and 26,000 new cases of asthma. Exposure to second-hand smoke decreases lung efficiency and impairs lung function in children and youth of all ages. Food service employees, many of them 18 and under, have a 50% higher risk of dying from lung cancer than the general public. These young people deserve to work in a healthy environment, free from second-hand smoke. Just as the state regulates the temperature at which food should be served in restaurants in order to protect consumers, Texas should regulate smoking in workplaces to protect workers. Pass statewide Smoke-Free Workplaces Law Pursue protections from second-hand smoke for youth and young adults working in service industry. While forty-five percent of Texans are currently covered by a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance, many Texans live in communities without the ability to pass ordinances. Workers in these localities are at the mercy of individual business owners to set smoking policy. The legislation will be modeled after comprehensive statewide smoke-free laws passed in 29 other states, covering worksites including restaurants and bars. Legislation will not allow separate rooms for smokers and non-smokers or ventilation allowances in public worksites.

8 Texas is home to over 35,000 school buses that transport children to and from school every day, as well as for field trips and athletic events. Children riding school buses are exposed to high concentrations of fine particles and other toxic substances not only while boarding and de-boarding buses, but also inside the bus because of the intrusion of the buses own emissions into the bus cabin. While school buses continue to be the safest way to transport children, the emissions from their diesel engines contribute to a host of health effects, including dizziness, nausea, increased incidence and severity of asthma attacks, and chronic bronchitis. Maintain funding for the Clean School Bus Program, the grant program for school districts that assists in retrofitting diesel bus engines so they emit fewer toxins inside and outside the bus. To clean up Texas more than 35,000 school buses, the state, with funds supplemented by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, has funded a grant program called the Texas Clean School Bus Program. The program funds retrofits for middle-aged buses using advanced filter technology to clean up diesel exhaust.

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