Jack O'Connell calls PTA vital to education

PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS

Carol Kocivar
Vice President, Communications
(415) 577-1125

Alison apRoberts
Communications Manager
(916) 842-9310 (mobile)

Jack O'Connell: PTA vital to education

San Jose - PTA is essential to California's commitment to high standards in education, Jack O'Connell, California Superintendent of Public Instruction, told delegates from throughout California at the first general meeting this afternoon of the annual state PTA convention.

"The PTA has long played a vital role in helping us to stay the course with programs that are working to help our children succeed," O'Connell told the PTA members, representing the organization's nearly 1 million volunteer members.

"Without the PTA, we could not have made the important progress we've made in raising standards in our classroom and helping students achieve those higher standards," O'Connell added.

The superintendent explained how he sees parental involvement as key to the state PTA's effectiveness.

"Supportive parents are the backbone of educational success," he said. "We want our parents to remain engaged."

O'Connell spoke of the need to redouble parental, school and community efforts to combat the achievement gap in education, which he described as a troubling and persistent problem.

"It's the biggest civil rights issue of our time," O'Connell said, describing it as a matter of moral and economic imperative.

O'Connell's speech was part of the opening day of the convention, which runs through Sunday morning.

This is the 110th annual convention of the California State PTA, the state's largest and oldest children's advocacy organization. Delegates at the convention guide the organization, electing officers, voting on policy resolutions, and attending workshops with more than 80 to choose from.

Other highlights of the convention follow.

Friday, May 1

8:30 a.m. - Second General Meeting

Speakers: Dr. Glen Thomas, California Secretary of Education

Pam Brady, California State PTA, presents President's Report

Presentation of "MY PTA/PTSA" awards to units

4 p.m. - Third General meeting

Speaker: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the Governor's Fitness Council

Presentations of Reflections Program winners in music composition, dance choreography and visual arts

Saturday, May 2

8:30 a.m. - Fourth General Meeting

Speakers: Teacher of the Year, Alex Kajitani, a.k.a. "the rappin' mathematician" of Mission Middle School in Escondido

Ray Culberson, director of youth services, San Bernardino Unified School District

4 p.m. - Fifth General Meeting

Speaker: Carol Channing, actress and co-founder of the Dr. Carol Channing & Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts

Presentations of Reflections Program winners in Film/video production, photography, literature

Presentation of "MY PTA/PTSA" awards to councils

Sunday, May 3

9 a.m. - Sixth General meeting

Speakers: Jo Loss, president-elect, California State PTA

Paul Richman, executive director, California State PTA

Byron Garrett, chief executive officer, National PTA

Installation of new California State PTA board of directors for 2009-2011

For more information about the convention, visit the Convention Page on the California State PTA website, www.capta.org.

###

everychild.onevoice.

The California State PTA has nearly 1 million members throughout the state working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto, "Every child, one voice." The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer organization working to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is nonprofit, nonsectarian and noncommercial.

For more information about the California State PTA, visit www.capta.org.