For MASSPTA

HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR QUALITY SCHOOLS
Whether it is through education funding, accountability, or teacher
quality regulations, education policy affects our schools and students.
For too long, these policies have been developed without full
consideration of their effect in the classroom. ASCD is working to
change that by helping educators engage in effective advocacy. The
resources in this guide and in the ASCD Action allow you to take action
to support effective education policy. This guide offers advice for
planning an advocacy campaign, communicating with policymakers, making
your voice heard, and ensuring your advocacy is effective and
efficient. Using ASCD materials and the tactics in this guide, you can
make the most of your time as an advocate. Even if you have only two
minutes to spare, these tried-and-true approaches will make sure you
are respected and effective as a go-to source for education policy. The
time for advocacy on behalf of students is now, and the voice needed is
yours. You may already be involved in efforts to change policies and
programs close to home, but your voice must also be heard on a national
level.
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp /ejrYcWwHBWdKvxRbAS

The Supreme Court Ruling on Race and the Student Assignment Process for Public School Students. Speakers: RICHARD COLE, NADINE COHEN, CHARLES WALKER, Tuesday, July 10, 2007 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. at Wheelock College,  43 Hawes Street, 2 ^nd floor Board Room, Brookline.  

Sponsored by Cambridge Public Schools, METCO, Inc., The Cambridge Branch of the NAACP, the Affirmative Action Advisory Consortium (AARC), Citizens for Public Schools, MCEE, the Massachusetts Association for School Superintendents (MASS), the Massachusetts Association for School Committees (MASC), and the Racial Imbalance Advisory Council (RIAC) of the Massachusetts State Department of Education

This meeting will serve as a planning session for educators and community members interested in integrated education; there will also be an opportunity to discuss the specifics of the court ruling, the new challenge to the Lynn assignment plan, and develop appropriate responses. 

At the second meeting on Tuesday, July 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the Legal Department of the Massachusetts Department of Education and the Racial Imbalance Advisory Council will provide more specific information concerning how the recent court ruling will affect public schools and programs within the Commonwealth which currently use the criteria of race in the student assignment process. This meeting will take place at Worcester Technical High School on 1 Skyline Drive, Worcester.

If you plan to attend these meetings, RSVP as soon as possible to Kahris McLaughlin at kmclaughlin@cpsd.us or call at 617-349-6456. Please indicate which meeting(s) you will be attending.

Public Health Committee Hearing  July 25 ^th
 * Fact Sheet An Act Requiring Environmentally Safe Alternatives to Harmful Cleaning Chemicals (H2246, S 2201)
* PTA Testimony for Safer Cleaners
* Fact Sheet An Act Promoting Healthy Buildings and Public Schools ( HB 3056) .
* PTA Testimony for Healthy Schools