State

Support Kansas State PTA2024-03-12T16:47:59-05:00

State Legislature

Our advocacy work is directed by our member-approved resolutions as well as our Legislative Platform and Priorities. Learn about our legislative priorities and other supported issues and find out more ways to get involved with our Take Action Alerts.

During the Kansas state legislative session Kansas PTA will monitor key legislation being considered, and when necessary, send action alerts and updates to members. These action alerts will provide information on important communication with your legislators on topics they are actively working on.

Testimony

2024

KS PTA Testimony SB509-Opposed – Remote Testimony to Senate Assessment & Tax Committee – March 4, 2024

KS PTA Testimony SB479-Proponent – Remote Testimony to Senate Education Committee – March 4, 2024

KS PTA Testimony SB437-Opposed – Remote Testimony to Senate Education Committee – February 13, 2024

KS PTA Testimony HB2700-Opposed – Remote Testimony to House Education Committee – February 13, 2024

KS PTA Testimony HB2738-Opposed – Remote Testimony to House K-12 Budget Committee – February 12, 2024

Opposed House Bill 2612 – a redundant and punitive accreditation bill – February 1, 2024

Neutral with reservations House Bill 2594 – Establish an Education Funding Task Force – January 29, 2024

Testimony to the Special Education Task Force – January 3, 2024

2023

Proponent House Bill 2138 – CTE Incentive

Opposed SB210– Local Partisan Elections

Opposed to House Bill 2304 – Firearms curriculum and public schools

Proponent of HB 2407 – Kansas Communities that Care Survey

Proponent House Bill 2223 – removing the sunset on the high-density at-risk weighting and making permanent supports for students of high poverty communities and schools

Opponent House Bill 2224 – increasing the number of school days and hours that must be provided by school districts each school year.

Opponent Senate Bill 169 – proposed changes to Kansas tax policy that threatens to return our state to the fiscal crises of the 2012 Kansas Tax Experiment

Opponent House Bill 2061 – proposed changes to Kansas tax policy that threatens to return our state to the fiscal crises of the 2012 Kansas Tax Experiment.

Opposed House Bill 2238 – KSHSAA bill

Proponent of HB 2271 – Educator Retention

Neutral House Bill 2142 – Get the Lead Out

Support Governor’s Education Budget

Opposed to Senate Bill 116 – Gun Safety

Neutral with Encouragement House Bill 2163 – Restoring Due Process

Opposed House Bill 2236-Establishing parents’ rights bill

Opposed to Senate Bill 128 – Tax Credit for Students Not Enrolled in Public Schools

Opposed to Senate Bill 83 – Expansion of Tax Credit Scholarship Program

Opposed to House Bill 2218 – ESA Voucher

Opposed to House Bill 2048 – Expansion of Tax Credit Scholarship Program

Neutral with reservations House Bill 2060 – Establishing a Special Education Task Force

Oppose House Bill 2030 – Authorizing nonpublic school students to participate in KSHSAA activities

2022

Oppose SB393 Publication of Materials with Financial Penalty Written Testimony to Senate Education Committee

Neutral with Reservations Senate Bill 363 Publication of Materials Written Testimony to Senate Education Committee

Neutral with Reservations Remote Testimony HB 2662 Parents’ Rights and Transparency House K-12 Education Budget Committee February 2022

Neutral with Reservations SB 496 Parents Rights and Transparency Remote Testimony Senate Education Committee February 2022

Oppose House Bill 2690  Merit Pay Written Testimony House K-12 Education Budget Committee February 2022

Oppose HB2550 Education Savings Accounts Remote Testimony House K-12 Education Budget Committee February 2022

Revised Support HB2466 Computer Science Education Written Testimony to House K-12 Education Committee January 2022

2021

Oppose House Bill 2411- Written Testimony to House K-12 Education Budget Committee Mar 2021

Oppose SB 61-Written Testimony to House K-12 Education Budget Committee Feb 2021

Proponent of the Kansas Department of Education Budget Feb 2021

Oppose House Bill 2119 – Education Savings Accounts Feb 2021

Oppose House Bill 2068 – Amending the tax credit for low income students scholarship program act to expand student eligibility Jan 2021

2020

Support SB 271 Repealing Sunset Provision At-risk Students Feb 2020

Oppose HB2465 Expanding Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Programs Act Jan 2020

2019

Support SB44 School Finance Increasing Base Aid Feb 2019

Oppose HB2183 Requiring Computer Science Course for High School Graduation Feb 2019

Oppose HB2233 Require school districts to provide teacher stipend to purchase supplies Feb 2019

Support SB 142 School Funding Feb 2019

Oppose HB2150 Enacting the Kansas Hope Scholarship Act/Bullying Voucher Program Feb 2019

Oppose HB2395 Amending the Kansas Equity and Enhancement Act Feb 2019

Oppose HB2166 Requiring Personal Financial Literacy Courses for High School Students Feb 2019

2018

Oppose HB5029 Constitutional Amendment to declare school funding is solely legislative power Apr 2018

2017

Neutral SB188 KS Income Tax Act Feb 2017

2016

PTA Testimony Oppose Merit Pay Jan 2016

Oppose HB 2504 District Realignment Feb 2016

Oppose HB2457 Scholarship Voucher Feb 2016

Oppose HB2596 Creating the Classroom Based Funding Act Feb 2016

Oppose HB2457 Tax Credit Scholarship Expansion Feb 2016

Oppose SB 56 Removing Teachers’ Affirmative Defense Feb 2016

Oppose HB2504 School District Bond Oversite Review Board Feb 2016

Potential School Funding Changes Gannon June 2016

Oppose Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting School Closure Pertaining to School Finance June 2016

2015

Support of SB86 Transparency Act Feb 2015

Oppose HB2292 Development and establishment of K12 curriculum standards Feb 2015

Testimony Oppose SB171 Local Elections Feb 2015

PTA Testimony K12 Student Success Dec 2015

2014

Oppose SB22 Corporate Scholarship Vouchers Feb 2014

Oppose HB 2227 Municipal Elections Feb 2014

Support of HB2749 Transparency and Accountability Act March 2014

Support SB277 and Opposing SB305-School Finance March 2014

Support SB413 Transparency and Accountability Act March 2014

PTA Frequently Asked Questions

What is PTA?2020-03-24T15:45:28-05:00

PTA is a grassroots organization made up of parents, teachers, and others around the state who have a special interest in children, families, and schools. National PTA is an association 4 million members strong and there are nearly 18,000 PTA members in Kansas. PTA members are advocates for all children in our neighborhoods, throughout the state, and on Capitol Hill. By joining a local PTA, a member automatically becomes a part of the largest child-advocacy organization in the state and nation.

What does PTA do?2020-03-24T15:46:32-05:00

PTAs work for children. PTAs meet together, study problems, support teachers, volunteer in schools, attend workshops on parenting and become informed on issues regarding children and youth. As a result, PTA members become better parents, teachers, and citizens.

How is PTA different from other parent groups?2020-03-24T15:46:52-05:00
  • PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a powerful network. It is a state and national affiliated organization dedicated to advocacy for all children. It has as resources other PTA units, state and national organizations, a voice in state and national legislation, and a network capability with 4 million child advocates.
  • PTA provides many opportunities for leadership training. Officers and chairmen can receive job specific training at local, district and state workshops. A family resource and video library dedicated to parent education topics, children’s health and safety, drug tobacco and alcohol awareness, and education issues is available to all PTA units. PTA’s work is based on the concept that many groups with similar goals working for children are much more effective and benefit more children than just a single organization working for the children on one campus.
  • Because PTA is recognized as an advocacy organization for children and promotes parent involvement, leaders are asked to serve on many state boards and committees. This representation adheres to the legislative positions and resolution approved by PTA members at national and state conventions. PTA presence at the state level insures that parents are considered more fully when decisions are made.
  • PTA dues are decided by the membership of the local unit with $1.75 of the dues dedicated to Kansas PTA and $1.75 to the National PTA. All other monies are used as the local unit desires and decides.
  • Other non-PTA parent groups are usually a campus level group that deals primarily with issues arising from its school. There is no affiliation with other parent groups, and there are no state or national resources. Decisions and actions made by a non-PTA parent group generally affect only the children of its affiliated school.
How is PTA structured?2020-03-24T15:47:08-05:00

Most local unit PTAs meet at a school campus. Groups of local unit PTAs often join together to form councils. Above councils, there are 8 region vice-presidents and a Kansas PTA Board of Managers, made up of volunteers. The board sets policies for PTAs throughout Kansas.

When was PTA formed?2020-03-24T15:47:44-05:00

Feb. 17, 1897 in Washington, D.C. Two thousand women and some men met to discuss the nation’s future and the need for all caring adults to mobilize and to act on behalf of children. Thus, the National PTA was formed. The Kansas PTA was organized in 1914.

Why should I get involved?2020-03-24T15:47:57-05:00

Because of your children and because of your community. Studies have shown that membership in PTA provides your child and other children around you with a greater chance of achieving in school. As a PTA member, you are more likely to be an informed, involved parent. PTA provides the resources you need to stay involved in the life of your child every day. The PTA is the place to gain knowledge on ways to keep children safe, trouble-free, and involved in school.

What are the benefits of being involved in PTA?2020-03-24T15:48:12-05:00

PTA provides opportunities to meet and to talk with other parents who have the same worries as you. By sharing common concerns, you will feel more empowered to do the tough job of parenting. Being part of PTA results in parental support and makes school involvement easier. You will no longer feel “all alone” in raising your child. PTA also provides educational opportunities. From local-level parent education meetings to the Kansas PTA Annual Convention, PTA encourages learning and the sharing of accomplishments. Ultimately, PTA provides the opportunity to serve, to volunteer, and to contribute to the welfare of all children, because children represent our future. PTA will introduce you to a great variety of new activities and opportunities to share your special talents. PTA will give you opportunity, not only to impact your local community, but to have input in major legislative and policy issues affecting children throughout the state.

How do I join?2020-03-24T15:48:28-05:00

Contact your local PTA president or the Kansas PTA Office at 785-234-5782. Call us today.

How do I organize a PTA or PTSA?2020-03-24T15:48:48-05:00

A PTA (parent-teacher association) or PTSA (parent-teacher-student association) is a self-governing local unit of National PTA. Although most PTAs are organized in schools, PTAs can also be organized in other places where parents or others concerned about the health, education and well-being of children and youth wish to meet. Anyone – parent, school principal, teacher or other interested, caring person – may take the first step toward organizing a PTA. To become a PTA contact:

Kansas PTA
715 SW Tenth Street
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-234-5782
Toll Free: 888-311-5782
Fax: 785-324-4170
E-Mail: kansaspta@gmail.com

Members of the Kansas PTA Board of Managers are available to address your group, providing information about PTA and helpful materials.

Go to Top