2002-2003 Colorado PTA Legislative Platform The Colorado PTA promotes and encourages well-informed and broad-based voter participation. The Legislative Platform represents our basic beliefs on important legislative issues. Public Education The Colorado PTA supports: Policies and legislation which strengthen the public school system. Equal opportunity for quality education for all public school children and youth. Enforcement of compulsory school attendance laws. Developmentally appropriate early childhood education, including pre-school and kindergarten, and programs that enable children to start school ready to learn. High standards for student performance, focusing on (a) reaching a clear and common understanding about what students should be learning in academic subject areas, (b) measuring student progress toward meeting these expectations, and (c) using this information to make changes in curriculum to help students meet these expectations for the skills and knowledge they should acquire. Assessments that are sensitive to individual student needs, serve as diagnostic tools for teachers, and are meaningful and useful to parents and students, but that are limited in number so as to ensure optimum time for classroom instruction. The use of multiple measurements and indicators to determine the quality of education, in a way that avoids comparisons of school districts or individual schools. Article IX, Section 15, of the Colorado Constitution, which requires that local boards of education have control of the instruction in the public schools within their districts. Cooperation between families and school staff to maintain well-disciplined schools. Parent involvement in all aspects of their children's education and development, from birth to adulthood. Finance The Colorado PTA supports: Adequate state funding to local school districts. Additional revenue to support capital improvements of schools. Adequate funding for all public school programs mandated by any level of government. Prioritization of public school funding to directly affect student success. Use of taxpayer dollars for education to be appropriated only for public schools. Equity in funding for all types of public schools, such as charter schools and alternative schools. Safeguarding all resources and revenues designated for education. A comprehensive study and analysis of tax policy in order to establish a reliable and adequate source of funding for public education. Health and Safety The Colorado PTA supports: Laws providing necessary services for the general good health and physical and mental well-being of all Colorado children, youth, and their families. Child care programs that meet acceptable standards and are affordable to all families. The development of adequately funded programs for the prevention of youth violence. Laws that protect the health and safety of children and youth, including a prohibition of corporal punishment in public schools. This website created by: