BUSINESS OF THE ASSOCIATION Proposed Amendments to the Bylaws Delegates to the 2016 convention will be asked to consider the following amendments to the California State PTA bylaws, published in the California State PTA Toolkit, and posted online at capta.org. Unit presidents are asked to assure that delegates arrive at convention informed regarding the views of their membership on these questions. Deletions are identified by a line through the word (unit); additions, insertions or substitutions are identified by underlining (unit). Each proposed revision is followed by the rationale for the change.

ARTICLE VIII — Officers ARTICLE XII — Nominations and Elections petition, nominations may be made from the floor providing the nominee has Section 1. The officers of the State PTA shall be a Any person who is qualified to be an elected officer president, a president-elect, nine (9) seven (7) vice may be nominated by one of the following a. given consent; presidents, secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian and procedures: b. filed a written notice with the president of intent director of legislation. Section 2. Nomination by Petition. to be nominated from the floor at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the state *PROVISO: Change to take effect 07/01/2017. a. Only unsuccessful candidates in the most recent convention, and; nomination by committee process may proceed RATIONALE: The Internal Structures Committee by nomination by petition. c. been an unsuccessful candidate through the most of the California State PTA has been reviewing Board recent nominating committee process. structure and function for the past two terms. The b. An official nominating petition, obtained from committee appointed for this term studied previous the State office, shall be completed and delivered When the opportunity for all nominations has been recommendations and work of the previous terms to the State president or secretary no later than fulfilled following any of the foregoing procedures, Internal Structures Committees. The committee looked forty-eight (48) hours thirty (30) days prior to the the nominations shall be closed. at the current functions, roles and responsibilities of opening of convention. vice presidents (VP) according to the Standing Rules. The current wording allows Staff support for VP and Board of Directors, c. The petitioners shall be delegates to the RATIONALE: individuals to bypass the rigorous application and vetting interviews with current and past VPs were also convention at which the officers are to be elected process. By including a requirement for individuals to reviewed. The committee held webinars to share and shall number not less than two percent (2%) participate in the nomination by committee process, they information and solicit questions. An opportunity was of the delegate body attending the last previous will have demonstrated an initial effort for obtaining a provided at the November 2015 Board of managers convention. board position. A potential hostile environment may arise meeting for all board members to provide written should any candidate nominated by petition or from the feedback, which was then collated and further d. Nominations received by petitions shall be floor and subsequently elected by delegates due to not reviewed by the Internal Structures Committee. presented by the president following the report of participating in the initial vetting process. Based on these reviews, the committee recommends the nominating committee. combining the responsibilities for Membership and Section 3. Nomination at the Meeting. The change in timing for submission of a petition is in Programs and Member Services, and Health and support of convention /conference planning. In past Community Concerns. The resulting vice presidents At the conclusion of the report of the nominating election cycles, there have been individuals declaring an would be 1) leadership, 2) membership & member committee and the report of any nomination by intent to petition or run from the floor, only to drop their services, 3) communications, 4) convention, petition, nominations may be made from the floor intent at the last minute. This has created much 5) community concerns & health, 6) education and providing the nominee has given consent and has unnecessary planning and scheduling challenges, 7) family engagement. The committee agreed these filed a written notice with the president of intent to including; volunteer scheduling, making time in general changes, if approved, should take effect at the be nominated from the floor at least thirty (30) days meetings for speeches, locating voting room, securing beginning of the next term. The committee also prior to the beginning of the state convention. When voting equipment and identifying when and where reviewed the Standing Rules pertaining to the delegates can meet the candidates vying for the same suggested combinations if the bylaws change is the opportunity for all nominations has been office. The current requirement of 48 hours causes a lot approved by the convention delegates. The Standing fulfilled following any of the foregoing procedures, of unnecessary last minute work to undo the plans for a Rules changes would be considered for adoption by the nominations shall be closed. challenged office. The two days before convention is the CAPTA Board of Managers in mid-2016 to take At the conclusion of the report of the nominating already stressful in setting up the convention site. effect 7/1/2017 to be consistent with the Bylaws committee and the report of any nomination by Extending the notification for petitioning will prevent a change. lot of unnecessary work and allow planners to focus on activities that will be realized.

RESOLUTIONA DYSLEXIA: Addressing the Educational Implications in Public Schools

1 WHEREAS, Dyslexia is a specific Individual Education Program (IEP) 1 RESOLVED, That the California State districts support teacher/staff training learning disability that is documents; and PTA, and its units, councils and necessary to improve the neurobiological in origin and is 4 WHEREAS, Without appropriate districts recognize that dyslexia has understanding of dyslexia and its characterized by difficulties with remediation, most students who significant educational implications warning signs, including training in accurate and/or fluent word struggle to learn to read, continue to that need to be better addressed by appropriate evidence-based Structured recognition and by poor spelling and struggle with reading, with lasting public schools and school districts; Literacy Instruction for students with decoding abilities, which typically consequences including not reaching and be it further dyslexia in accordance with the International Dyslexia Association’s result from a deficit in the college and career readiness, increased 2 RESOLVED, That the California State Knowledge & Practice Standards for phonological component of language risk of not earning a high school PTA, and its units, councils and Teachers of Reading, and to promote that is often unexpected in relation to diploma, not attending or completing districts hereby adopt the following knowledge of appropriate other cognitive abilities and the college, and social/emotional definition of dyslexia (previously accommodations for dyslexic provision of effective classroom problems; and adopted by the Board of Directors of students; and be it further instruction, whose secondary the International Dyslexia Association consequences may include problems 5 WHEREAS, There is compelling scientific evidence that early and the National Institute of Child 4 RESOLVED, That the California State in reading comprehension and reduced Health and Human Development PTA, and its units, councils and reading experience that can impede identification and intervention using an evidence-based multisensory, (NICHD)): districts support early screening for growth of vocabulary and background signs and symptoms of dyslexia in direct, explicit, structured and “Dyslexia is a specific learning knowledge; and kindergarten through the third grade, sequential approach to instructing disability that is neurobiological in with parental notification; the use of 2 WHEREAS, Up to 20% of the general pupils with dyslexia (defined as origin. It is characterized by evidence-based Structured Literacy population, or over 1 million students “Structured Literacy Instruction” difficulties with accurate and/or fluent Instruction as defined by the in California K-12 public schools, by the International Dyslexia word recognition and by poor spelling International Dyslexia Association; display signs or symptoms of Association) improves literacy and decoding abilities. These and the use of appropriate dyslexia; and outcomes for most students with difficulties typically result from a accommodations in order to provide 3 WHEREAS, The term dyslexia is symptoms of dyslexia; and deficit in the phonological component students with dyslexia equitable found in twenty-two states’ laws, of language that is often unexpected in 6 WHEREAS, Most teacher access to the general education including California Education Code, relation to other cognitive abilities and preparation programs provide no curriculum; and be it further and in Federal law under the training regarding dyslexia, the provision of effective classroom Individuals with Disabilities appropriate accommodations or instruction. Secondary consequences 5 RESOLVED, That the California State Education Act (IDEA) within the evidence-based Structured Literacy may include problems in reading PTA, and its units, councils and broad eligibility category of a Specific Instruction, leaving most teachers comprehension and reduced reading districts forward this resolution to the Learning Disability (SLD), yet many unprepared to adequately address the experience that can impede growth of National PTA for consideration by the public schools have historically learning needs of children with vocabulary and background delegates at the National PTA avoided the term “dyslexia” in dyslexia; now therefore be it knowledge”; and be it further Convention in June 2016. evaluations, when determining 3 RESOLVED, That the California State # # # # # special education eligibility, and in PTA, and its units, councils and

6 BUSINESS OF THE ASSOCIATION Legislation Platform for Adoption In even-numbered years, Convention delegates adopt the California State PTA Legislation Platform. After thorough study, the California State PTA Board of Managers recommends that the Preamble, General Principles, and Legislation Planks be adopted as presented with the addition of a twenty- first plank that states: “To support the needs of vulnerable children in all aspects of their lives.” RATIONALE: Over the past two years, many of the bills brought forward in the area of foster youth and homeless children relied upon the previous term’s advocacy goal: “supporting the needs of vulnerable children.” Currently two position statements and two resolutions on homeless children and foster youth place a focus on securing housing for homeless families and supporting families of foster youth. The authority for advocating for homeless youth and foster children is weak when dealing with the whole child. This plank puts into words that which we do as PTA Advocates. It is broad enough to expand if needed for English Language Learners (ELL), LBGTQ+, and other “vulnerable” children throughout California. Legislation Platform 5. Establishment of and adherence to 3. To attain quality counseling and 12. To prevent, control or eliminate fiscal responsibility in govern- guidance services, school health hazards to the health, safety and Adopted May 2014 ment, with concern for fair taxa- services and library services, well-being of all children and Preamble tion, but keeping priorities for the provided by credentialed youth. needs of all children and youth personnel at all educational levels. 13. To require state and local The legislation program of the foremost. 4. To ensure pre-service and in- government to publicize and California Congress of Parents, 6. Adherence to strict ethical service teacher preparation disseminate information regarding Teachers, and Students, Inc., is practices in political campaigns programs, remuneration, issues affecting the public’s well- derived from the work of the PTA in and at all levels of government. supportive services and being. home, school, and community. PTA 7. Strong and broadly based tax professional development 14. To provide effective community efforts “to secure adequate laws for structures at state and local levels. designed to attract and retain services and facilities for all the care and protection of children qualified men and women in the children, youth and adults, and youth” are based on recognition 8. Budgets and financial support to provide needed public services for teaching profession. directed toward the well-being of of the home as the foundation of our 5. To provide guidelines for the family. society, the responsibility of the PTA all children and youth with the continued constitutional guarantee assessing competence in the 15. To promote public policy that for parent education, the appreciation teaching profession, and to of our national heritage, the of financial support for public contributes to the stability of schools as the first claim on all provide for due process in families and to the adequate observance and understanding of the dismissal procedures. rights and obligations of responsible state revenues in the general fund. physical, emotional and financial citizenship, and the realization that 9. Maximum local control when it 6. To encourage state, county, support of children and youth. maintaining a free and public serves the best interest of all regional, and local school district 16. To provide services and facilities education system is the cornerstone children and youth. organizations and public for the care, protection and of democracy. educational governance structures treatment of abused, dependent, Legislation Planks that effectively serve the needs of neglected or abandoned children General Principles The California State PTA will support all students and maximize and youth. General Principles for Consideration legislation: efficient delivery of services. 17. To secure specialized programs of Proposed Legislation: 1. To provide the most 7. To include parents/guardians in for the prevention of crimes and decisions that affect the education 1. Equal justice, equal privileges, comprehensive and diversified misdemeanors committed by and well-being of their children, equal opportunities, and equal education possible for all children, juveniles. and to promote their involvement responsibilities in every phase of youth and adults: education that 18. To provide adequate facilities and in their children’s education and life for all children and youth, will achieve quality and services for the treatment, schools. while recognizing that each child excellence encourage maximum education and rehabilitation of is unique with individual needs individual development and 8. To give students the skills they juvenile offenders. and talents. provide equal educational need to become effective citizens 19. To promote public policies that and parents. 2. High standards for those who opportunity for each student, with protect and conserve natural work in all areas concerned with particular focus on eliminating the 9. To protect and improve the health resources and provide a quality children and youth. achievement gap. of all families through the environment for present and prevention, treatment and control 3. Effective governance systems and 2. To secure financing for public future generations. of disease. practices that place a high priority education that will be sufficient to 20. To improve governance systems on the needs of children and provide optimum educational 10. To extend and improve physical and practices in order to youth. opportunity for all students, and mental health services and effectively serve the needs of including state aid to school facilities, including rehabilitation. 4. Coordination and planning by all children and youth. districts for building purposes as 11. To protect families from unsafe, 21. To support the needs of vulnerable agencies with clear definition of well as state funds to cover excess responsibility at each level of impure or ineffective drugs, foods, children in all aspects of their costs of all programs mandated by medical devices and cosmetics. lives. government. the Legislature.

Resolution A continued BACKGROUND SUMMARY states have passed laws regarding identify it, nor do they have access to, Education’s Office of Special dyslexia. Continued legislation, and training in, evidence-based Education and Rehabilitative Services Dyslexia is a language-based advocacy, training and research is Structured Literacy programs. issued guidance to states and local disability that is neurobiological in necessary to address the educational There is also a lack of knowledge education agencies stating the origin. It is also the most common implications of dyslexia in public importance of using the term dyslexia. learning disability in the nation. about appropriate classroom schools. accommodations and modifications The majority of students with dyslexia Dyslexia is characterized by are not identified for special education difficulties with accurate and/or fluent Research shows that if students who necessary for dyslexic students to be display the characteristics of dyslexia able to access the curriculum. services until after the third grade, if word recognition and by poor spelling identified at all in public school. and decoding abilities, and it occurs in are provided with evidence-based, Although dyslexia is recognized multisensory instruction in a Studies show that the likelihood of a continuum from mild to severe. under federal and California special successful remediation decreases Scientific research from the past few structured and explicit manner, most education law under the broad of them learn to read and spell significantly for students who are decades has resulted in remarkable eligibility category of “Specific not identified before third grade. progress in the understanding of successfully. This instructional Learning Disability,” most public reading and reading disorders; approach is defined as “Structured schools and school districts do not In order to address this critical literacy however, this knowledge, particularly Literacy” by the International identify dyslexia or use the term. issue, it is imperative that our schools about dyslexia, has yet to bridge the Dyslexia Association. Early Without identifying dyslexia, it is identify students with the symptoms gap between academia and identification and intervention with unlikely that appropriate remediation of dyslexia as early as possible and educational practice in public schools, the appropriate duration and intensity and accommodations will be provided. provide evidence-based Structured despite the longstanding efforts of the are critical because the longer students This issue has become so significant Literacy instruction by trained International Dyslexia Association. struggle with basic reading and that the U.S. Department of teachers. That is now changing as parents from spelling skills, the more difficult the across the country are coming together task of remediation and the lower the in grassroots movements such as rate of success. Currently, most Originating Body Decoding Dyslexia which now has general education teachers, special San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs chapters in every state. The U.S. education teachers, and reading Congress has formed a bipartisan specialists, and other professionals in Action by PTA Organizations Position Dyslexia Caucus, and several federal our public schools do not have (A SUPPORT position means a PTA body approved sending the resolution forward to convention delegates.) dyslexia initiatives are underway. In training in dyslexia. Many teachers Thirty-Second District PTA Support don’t know what dyslexia is or how to addition, as of July 2012, twenty-two California State PTA Support