The Pioneers of Child Advocacy in Colorado
As Colorado’s original and largest parent engagement group, Colorado PTA represents a lot of voices—and legislators recognize this fact when Colorado PTA takes a stand on an issue. When it comes to making positive change in Colorado’s schools and families, Colorado PTA is a formidable force with more than a century-old track record in being an influential partner in state and local governments.
[su_box title=”Highlights of Colorado PTA’s century of activity” style=”glass” box_color=”#0b11a0″ title_color=”#fefefd” radius=”15″]
- Establishing a Better Babies Movement, focused on promoting infant care (1914)
- Initiating an Act to create and establish a Child Welfare Bureau in the State of Colorado (1919)
- Supporting public education in rural communities in Colorado (1922)
- Fighting for an increase in public school funding (1937)
- Promoting inclusiveness by establishing the first Spanish-speaking PTA in Colorado (1937)
- Establishing a Girls Loan Fund for advanced education (1946)
- Recruiting over 126,000 members (1953)
- Promoting first Project Head Start program (1967)
- Establishing the Reflections Art program, which was adopted by national PTA (1969)
- Spreading awareness about the link between good nutrition and learning (1970)
- Advocating for seat-belt safety (1982)
- Serving as an ambassador for drug/alcohol awareness initiatives (1988)
- Opposing school vouchers as a violation of Colorado’s Constitution which resulted in the victorious 2003 lawsuit, Colorado PTA v. Owens (1993)
- Declaring an anti-discrimination clause including LGBT community (1994)
- Fighting for releasing volunteer crossing guards from civil liability (1996)
- Championing Amendment 23, which requires an annual increase in K-12 funding (inc. special education and transportation) by inflation +1 percent through 2010 and inflation thereafter (2000) [/su_box]
Every year, Colorado PTA plays an active role in advocating for our children statewide. To allow every child to reach his/her potential, Colorado PTA has set goals to realize a fully-funded, quality education system for all children; updated school nutritional standards; school and internet safety; quality and affordable after-school programs; better access to and preparation for college; small class sizes and more.
For more information, visit a specified topic page or contact your local advocacy liaison.
District/School Accountability Committee
ESSA – Every Student Succeeds Act
National Standards for Family-School Partnerships
National, Colorado and Jeffco PTA Resources