Ohio PTA Position Statement Charter Schools

      
Charter/Community Schools must:

•   Be open to all students

•   Abide by all federal and state laws which protect the health and safety of children, prohibit discrimination, and comply with the Freedom of  Information and Open Meetings Acts and Americans With Disabilities Act

• Comply with federal and state laws governing public schools which require fiscal responsibility and accountability

•  Comply with federal and state laws governing public schools regarding student assessment and reporting the resulting data

•  Be accountable to the school boards in their local school districts; those with no location (Internet/electronic schools) should be accountable to the state school board

•  Ensure that professional faculty and staff are highly qualified as defined by No Child Left Behind Act, 2002, for the positions they hold and receive ongoing education throughout their employment

•  Involve parents or guardians in meaningful ways including: decision making, communication, volunteering and collaborating

•  Have a mechanism for independent evaluation to determine if they are providing students with an education at least comparable to the public schools in their area Routinely evaluate their mission and monitor the progress of fulfilling their specific mission of innovation as stated in their contract

 

Charter/Community Schools must not:

• Be sponsored or operated by for-profit organizations, nor be affiliated with a non-public sectarian or religious school

• Divert money from public schools

• Charge tuition or fees not charged by public schools

 

Ohio PTA Board of Directors Position Statement on Criminal Background Checks for Volunteers

 

The Ohio PTA Board of Directors recognizes the importance of safety for children when working with volunteers and therefore has the following position on criminal background checks for volunteers: (Adopted by the Board of Directors at the 7.29.00 Special Meeting)

 

• Criminal background checks on volunteers are one method of obtaining information about a record that may exist on an individual that could effect the safety of children.

 

• Volunteers that represent PTA or PTA programs and work directly with children are encouraged to work within a supervised environment.

• The method of submitting to a background check should be in place in each community and be readily accessible.

• The Ohio PTA will provide its members with information regarding current legislation addressing criminal background checks but will not assume liability for individual volunteers’ legal responsibilities.

 

• The financial responsibility for administering any background check should not negatively impact the volunteer organization or the volunteer activity. 

• Confidentiality of all volunteers’ personal information must be protected.

• Criminal record checks should be valid for a minimum of one year.

• The state of Ohio should further develop technology that allows the sharing of criminal background information between counties within the state of Ohio and between all states nationally.

Ohio Core Resolution

 

Whereas, Ohioans are being challenged to compete in our global economy for advanced manufacturing, healthcare and technology jobs. More than two-thirds of new jobs require some type of post secondary education; and

 

Whereas, research supports that students who complete a rigorous high school curriculum will earn an average of 13% more than peers, are more likely to earn a college degree and currently only 24% of Ohio’s students complete a rigorous curriculum which has been proposed by Governor Taft, and

Whereas, eight states have moved to implement a rigorous curriculum between 2008 and 2012 and an additional 11 states are considering such action, and

 

Whereas, the Ohio Core will require four years of math, three years of lab based sciences, two years of foreign language, four years of English, three years of social studies, one half unit of health and physical education and three elective units, including least one unit or two half units chosen from among the areas of business/technology and fine arts, and

 

Whereas, the Ohio Core will also focus remedial and developmental education on Ohio’s two year college campus, be a requirement to admission to public aided four year colleges and require students to take a college and work ready assessment; and be it

 

RESOLVED THAT, the Ohio PTA Board of Directors support the concept of challenging our students to be successful through completing a rigorous curriculum, and be it

 

Resolved that Ohio’s school districts need to have the resources to provide such a curriculum through qualified teachers in the areas of math and science, adequate classroom physical space and supplies which do not exist and be it

 

Resolved that access for remediation and developmental education will be universal throughout the state, not just at two year community colleges which are located in select areas of our state and be it

 

Resolved our PTAs through its units and councils will advocate to our decision makers to provide our school districts the resources to prepare our students for the challenges ahead to meet these expectations.

 

Adopted by the Ohio PTA Board of Directors on May 20, 2006

 

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT for EDUCATORS

2008

 

Ohio PTA Board of Directors support the belief that educators serve as positive role models to students and their families. As a result they are responsible for preserving the dignity and integrity of the teaching profession according to the highest ethical standards. This includes devoting themselves to providing a safe and nurturing environment in which all students can learn, free from harassment or intimidation.

 

Educators in Ohio strive for excellence through high expectations that they hold for themselves and their students in alignment with the Standards for Ohio Educators and the Ohio Academic Content Standards for Students.

 

Ohio PTA Board of Directors support and promotes the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators.

 

Ohio PTA Board of Directors opposes any educator engaging in criminal activity (including the use of alcohol on school property or illegal drugs) as evidenced by a criminal conviction, guilty plea, finding of guilt, or participation in a court-ordered diversion or treatment in lieu of conviction program. Educators shall accurately report any criminal activity to the local board of education or governing board, superintendent/designee, state education agency, federal agency

or state or federal law.

 

Ohio PTA Board of Directors recognizes that educators are entrusted with public funds and school property in the course of performing job duties and must maintain a high level of honesty, accuracy and accountability to ensure that privileges are not used for personal gain.

 

Ohio PTA Board of Directors support educators making decisions that are not based on bias or prejudice regarding students or families, influenced by socioeconomic status of families or gifts given by families or businesses.

 

Ohio PTA Board of Directors support discipline at both the state and local level be imposed on educators who violate one or more of the principals of the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators and set forth by the State Board of Education. Discipline imposed must follow all local contractual provisions, including but not limited to due process, progressive discipline and just cause. This discipline may include the authority to suspend, limit, revoke

or deny licenses; or issue a letter of admonishment.

 

 

 

 

WHERE OHIO PTA STANDS

RESOURCE GUIDE TO OHIO LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

If you want further information, please contact the

Ohio PTA office for a copy of the resolution.

 

EDUCATION RESOLUTIONS

CURRICULUM

Adult Education – 1977

Evaluating Vocational Education Programs - 1983

Foreign Language Programs in Elementary Schools - 1990

Character Education – 1991

Special Education of Children with Disabilities PTA/SERRC

     Representatives – 1996

Core Curriculum - 2007

 

DISCIPLINE

Discipline – 1980

Alternative to Corporal Punishment - 1995

 

EDUCATION

Teacher Tenure – 1971

Control of Public Education – 1973

Parent Teachers Conference – 1977

Gifted and Talented – 1979

Absenteeism – 1980

Promoting a Positive Image of Public Education - 1980

Local School Districts Annual Report - 1983

Middle School Staff Certification – 1984

Protecting School Employee Retirement Programs - 1985

Testing – 1986

Testing of Children prior to Entrance into Kindergarten - 1986

Teacher Education and Licensure Standards - 1996

Student Retention and Intervention – 1999

Full-day Kindergarten – 2001

A Recovery – Not a Retention Plan - 2001

Professional Misconduct for Educators – 2008

 

FACILITIES

Community Education – 1982

School Facilities – 1999

 

FUNDING

Diversified Educational Opportunities – 1972

School Funding – 1978

Funding Ohio Public Elementary and Secondary Schools - 1982

Establishing Criteria for Equitable Transportation Costs - 1983

School Districts Financing Equalization Factor - 1987

State Relief from the Impact of HB 920 (Property Tax Rollback) - 1987

Clarification of Ballot Language for School Levy or Bond Issues - 1988

Revision of Ohio’s School Foundation Formula to Reflect the Impact of 

     House Bill 920 on a School District’s Actual Ability to Generate Local

     Revenue – 1989

Improving Funding for Children with Mental Health Diagnoses - 1990

Tax Abatement Considerations – 1991

Elimination/Reduction of Local School District Tax Collection Fees - 1992

Opposition to Passage of Ballot Issues Unrelated to School Funding - 1996

Equitable and Adequate Funding for Ohio Public Schools  - 2004

Supporting School Funding Reform - 2006 

 

INVOLVEMENT

Senior Citizens and the PTA – 1979

Partnership with Community/Business Building Excellence in Education –

     1985

Parent/Citizen Involvement in Education - 1986

 

NON –PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ohio Chartered Schools: Equal Mandates of Public Funds - 1978

Federal Assistance to Nonpublic Schools - 1978

Ohio Educational Institutions Receiving Public Funds be Regulated by the

     Same Mandates – 1980

Opposition to Tuition Tax Credits and Vouchers - 1980

Local Districts Cost of Nonpublic Transportation - 1981

Collection of Date on Nonpublic Non-chartered Schools - 1981

Public Record of Nonpublic Transportation - 1982

Limiting Expenditures for Transporting Students - 1984

White Paper Resolution Public Funds for Nonpublic Schools - 1986

Ohio PTA Opposition to New Voucher Proposals for Nonpublic Moneys for       

     Nonpublic Schools – 1993

Opposition to any New System of Charter Schools - 1994

Charter/Community Schools – 2003

 

SCHOOL BOARDS

State Board of Education Candidate Information - 1974

Boards of Education Members – 1994

 

TECHNOLOGY

Parental Control of On-Line Computer Services - 1995

Technology Education – 1996

 

HEALTH RESOLUTIONS

HEALTH

Sickle Cell Disease – 1972

First Aid Training for Teachers – 1975

Immunization of Preschool Children – 1975

Pediculosis Capitis (Lice) – 1978

Sexual Abuse of Children – 1984

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Staff Education - 1987

AIDS - Information and Dissemination Affirmation - 1987

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Affirmation - 1987

Teen Pregnancy Awareness – 1987

Awareness of Eating Disorders among Adolescents - 1988

Recognition of Behaviors Associated with Adolescent Suicide - 1989

Improving School Meal Nutrition – 1990

Health Care Insurance – 1992

Gift of Life – 1996

Abstinence Education – 1997

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – 1997

School Nurse Awareness – 1997

Beverage Choices in School Vending Machines – 2006

 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Marijuana – 1972

Substance Abuse: Prevention, Intervention, and Support Group - 1982

Alcoholic Beverage Commercials – 1983

Resolution Opposing the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages from Places that Sell

     Gasoline -1986

Stopping Teenage Drinking and Driving - 1988

Youth and Alcohol Education – 1992

Adult Liability in Serving Alcohol to Minors - 1993

Resolution Supporting Legislation to Reduce Alcoholic Related Crime - 1994

Sale of Tobacco Products in Vending Machines - 1995

In Support of the Tobacco Settlement Comprehensive Plan - 1998

 

SAFETY RESOLUTIONS

SAFETY

Handgun Legislation – 1972

Home Fire Safety – 1981

Hitch Hiking – 1982

Labeling of Clothing for Children of Elementary Age - 1983

Increased Playground Safety – 1989

Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases – 1990

Multi-Way Stop Installations in School Zone – 1991

Handgun Safety Awareness – 1992

Newspaper Carrier Safety – 1994

Graduated Licensing for Drivers Under the Age of 18 – 1995

Bicycle Helmets – 1996

Railroad Safety Education – 1998

Firearms Legislation – 2000

Firearms Safety Awareness- 2000

Phones for Life – 2001

School Buildings as Polling Locations – 2003

 

SCHOOL BUS

School Bus Safety – 1982

Retirement of the Pre-1977 Type 1 School Buses – 1989

Encourages Adoption of Improved Mirror Standards for Buses - 1989

Two Way FM Radios on All School Buses – 1991

Stop-Arm Signals on all School Buses – 1992

An Aid for Providing Safer School Bus Operation - 1993

WELFARE RESOLUTIONS

AT RISK

At Risk Students – 1986

Providing Alternative Programs for Assaultive Students - 1989

 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Guidelines to Identify Sexual Harassment in Schools - 1994

Student to Student Sexual Harassment - 1995

 

WELFARE

Voluntary Fingerprinting – 1983

Working Student – 1985

Raising Community Awareness and Enforcement of Obscenity Laws Where

     Children are Directly Affected – 1988

Socially Disadvantaged African-American Males – 1991

Violence Prevention – 1993

MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS

MEDIA

Reaffirmation of National PTA Resolution “Objectionable use of Children in

     TV Commercials” – 1981

Effects of TV Watching on Children’s Schooling -1981

A Parent-Supportive Rating System for All Recording Mediums - 1998

 

MISCELLANEOUS

School Age Child Care and the Changing Family - 1984

Improving Juvenile Rehabilitation in Ohio Correctional Institutions - 1985

How to Handle Solicitations of Charities Using Professional Fundraisers –

     1988

Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance – 1989

PTA Involvement in Nuclear Education - 1990

Commercialization in Our Schools – 1997

Public Library Policies: Protecting Children - 1998

Privacy of Student Records – Military Recruiters – 2006

 

RECYCLING

Waste Reduction Education – 1990

PTAs Support of Recycled Products – 1992

 

VOTING

Local Voter Information – 1976

Resolution of Democratic Principles – 1981

Single Issue Legislation – 1983