Wednesday, October 8, 2014

2014 Legislative Assembly - Outside Speakers

The Legislative Assembly and Advocacy Training event provides opportunities for PTA leadership training, advocacy training and is the venue for voting delegates to examine issues submitted by members. Voting delegates will debate and vote on the issues that will make up our 2015-2016 legislative priorities. 
  • Click here for more information on the WSPTA Legislative Assembly.
  • Click here to download the 2014 Issue Guide

  • Keynote Presentations

    • Friday Luncheon Lecture:  Department of Education Region X Director Linda Pauley and Dr. Kareen Borders  “Shoot for the Stars:  Family Involvement in STEM Education”     
                      
    • Saturday Morning Continental Breakfast:  Mario Villanueva, Regional Director USDA - Discussion on Federal Agriculture issues that affect children                               

    Program Discussions on Closing the Opportunity Gap

    • Defining the Opportunity Gap and Mining the Data:  Rep. Chad Magendanz; Melissa Beard, OFM -A discussion on state and federal data policy.  This class will review data trends, discuss ethics issues, and the ever changing role of testing in education.  This class will also address current State and National Legislation devoted to this issue. 
    • A View Outside the Classroom - Learning Readiness:  Nick Federici; David Scott Beard, Schools Out WA - Exploring the challenges facing children who are in the gap and how these challenges affect their ability to go to school "learning ready."  Discussion will range from poverty,  developmental, health, and social challenges.
    • Trend Setters in Closing the Opportunity Gap:  Carla Santorno, Tacoma Superintendent; Susan Barbeau, First 5 Fundamentals; Nalani Linder, United Way Pierce County; David Scott Beard, Schools Out WA - Reviewing successful programs throughout Washington that are making headway in reducing the opportunity gap in their communities.  Focus will be on programs that have undergone analysis and review the results and potential applicability beyond the subject area.  

    Program Discussions on Early Learning                               

    • Fundamentals of WA Early Learning Policy and Direction:  Marcie Maxwell, Education Policy Advisor to Governor Inslee, Skip Priest, Legislative Consultant to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn - Discussing the fundamentals: why early learning is a key to success for most children.  Topics will cover initial findings from recent studies and the evolution and passage of our current Early Learning Programs in Washington.
    • Strategies for increased access to early learning:  Tracye Ferguson, Tacoma School District Director of Early Learning;  Michele Rahl Lewis, Program Specialist for Tacoma School District - Reviewing municipal and school district strategies both enacted and in the planning stages to expand access to early learning in Washington. 
    • Data Driven Success on the Ground:  Gretchen Breunig, OSPI; Heather Moss, DEL; Jodi Wall, ESD 112 - Discussing early learning programs - what works, what doesn't and what are reasonable expectations.                               

    K 12 Budget and Finance

    • Capital Budget and Funding 101 (School Bonds):  Wolfgang Opitz, Chief of Staff, WA State Treasurers Office; Shawn Lewis, WEA - The rules of the road on where we have been, where we are, and what opportunities lie ahead in funding capital needs in Washington Schools.
    • K-12 Budgeting 101:  Shawn Lewis, WEA; Kate Davis, OFM - Basic Operating and Revenue Budget 101 for the K-12 System in Washington.  Where the money comes from and where it goes.                          

    PTA Advocacy and your School Board                              

    • Function of the Local School Board:  Karen Vialle, Tacoma School Board; Edri Geiger, Vancouver School Board - Focusing on the challenges facing local school boards, their roles and functions in relationship to the Legislature, the State Board, and OSPI.
    • Labor Law and Contracts:  Mike McNett, WEA; David Alfred, Employee Relations Negotiators Network  - Focusing on the labor relations function of local school boards – how contracts are negotiated, and what issues arise. 
    • How to lobby your board:  Edri Geiger, Vancouver School District; Karen Vialle, Tacoma School Board - Perspectives from School Board Members on how to effectively advocate for children at the school board level.
    • State Board of Education:  Ben Rarick, Executive Director and Board member Isabel Munoz Colon - Clarifying the role of the Washington State Board of Education in setting Education Policy and how you can work with the BOE to improve the lives of children in Washington State.              

    PTA and The Press      

    • Media Relations - How to work with the media and how to get their attention:  Sherry Grindeland, Snoqualmie Valley Herald; Susan Parrish, Vancouver Columbian - This course is designed to have reporters teach PTA members how to effectively communicate their message to the press in a manner that is useful to both parties.    They will share with the audience what is typically newsworthy and how to get your best foot forward in an interview.
    • Family Engagement Through Social Media:  Megan Anderson, Port of Tacoma; Alicia Lawver, Puget Sound Partnership - Successful membership engagement strategies using social media.                               

    Career Technical and Higher Education            

    • Career and Technical Education (CTE) Roundtable:  Representative Sharon Wylie; Tim Knue, WACTE - Concentrating on recent changes to CTE and the future of these programs.
    • Access to Learning - Strategies on making college affordable:  Rep. Chris Reykdal; Senator Ann Rivers; Dr. Rachelle Sharpe, Senior Director for Student Financial Assistance and Support Services - Exploring the costs of higher education and the programs that are being discussed to give Washington's children access to college. 
    • Business Roundtable:  Shari Workman, Multicare plus other industry leaders TBA - Industry representatives discuss the state of our youth graduating high school, the skills needed in the field, and what we are doing to make that happen.                  
    • All (some?) of the things you need to know to send your kid to college:  Anna Batie, WSAC - This is our "reality check" course for parents who want their children to enroll in an institute of higher learning.  Discussion will range from budgeting to required testing, academic needs, etc.  

    Advocacy

    • PDC Guidelines for Advocacy: When you advocate – this is what you need to know and report.
    • Advocacy in Olympia - Talking to your legislator:  Former Senator Debbie Regala and Nick Federici -  Legislative Advocacy from the perspectives of a leading advocate and former State Senator.
    • PTA and the Levies:  Alex Hays, Mainstream Republicans of Washington; Ben Anderstone and Nic Van Putten, PNW Strategies; Scott Winship, Vandeberg, Johnson & Gandara - Discussing what PTA’s can and cannot do during the levy season as well as tips, trends, and strategies by local consultants on winning levy and bond campaigns.
    • Access to Health Care:  Ingrid Mungia, Multicare - Discussing the challenges of accessing health care providers outside the Puget Sound area and options and opportunities to improve access.

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