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Be A Lorax Who Advocates for Kids

By Melissa Taylor On March 1, 2012 Comments ()

“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees."

Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday by advocating for children --like the Lorax adovcated for trees. 

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Resolved to Advocate

By Kathryn Young Thompson On December 29, 2011 Comments ()

I was typing up my yearly parenting resolution for The Parenting Post and it occurred to me that although it’s not directly related to educating my kids, it definitely affects how well they are able to be educated. I reached out to my Mom Congress friends to hear what they’re going to focus on in the coming year and here’s what they had to say:

 

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Maybe We Just Need a Union Too

By Kathryn Young Thompson On February 28, 2011 Comments ()

Gwen Samuel thinks that as parents, we need to organize to collectively bargain for the future of our kids.  Rather than take away the power of teachers unions, she suggests that parents form their own powerful organization to represent the interests of their children. The 2010 Mom Congress delegate from Connecticut, who led an effort that attempted to institute a parent trigger law in her state, plans to officially launch The Connecticut Parents Union in March.

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Knowledge Universe Contest Winner Shares Thoughts on Educational Advocacy

By Kathryn Young Thompson On February 25, 2011 Comments ()

At the end of last year KinderCare (a division of Knowledge Universe) ran a contest on the Mom Congress site to honor a mom for her involvement in advocating for better education in her local schools. 

Brenda Drummer Martin won a book station from KinderCare after submitting an essay about how she serves in her community, everything from reading to her children to chairing major events and leading local educational organizations.  She is amazing!

Parenting.com

You've been "action alerted" what's next?

By Myrdin Thompson On July 21, 2010 Comments ()

The second in a series about Parent Engagement Partnership talks. This entry takes a look at what advocacy and a call to action means and how it is a part of positive parent engagement.

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New Family Engagement in Education Act Introduced to House of Representatives

By Kate Goodin On May 6, 2010 Comments ()

Yesterday the Family Engagement in Education Act (H.R. 5211), which aims to promote family involvement in primary and secondary education, was introduced to the House of Representatives.

According to a PTA press release, the bill, which has bipartisan support, "would provide incentives to districts and schools to implement best practices, such as parent leadership academies, placing family engagement coordinators in schools, and professional development for educators on how to partner with families."

The Family Engagement in Education Act would also enhance Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs), the only federal program for parent engagement. Dee Jones of the Indiana PTA recently guest-blogged on Mom Congress urging government officials to preserve the program.

Read the full press on the PTA's website.

Education News Roundup: "Public Education is a Sinking Ship"

By Michelle At Parenting.com On April 23, 2010 Comments ()

The Examined Life, Age 8 (New York Times, 4/6/10)

A few times each month, second graders at a charter school in Springfield, Mass., take time from math and reading to engage in philosophical debate. There is no mention of Hegel or Descartes, no study of syllogism or solipsism. Instead, Prof. Thomas E. Wartenberg and his undergraduate students from nearby Mount Holyoke College use classic children’s books to raise philosophical questions, which the young students then dissect with the vigor of the ancient Greeks.

Meet the 51 Mom Congress Delegates

By Kate Goodin On April 23, 2010 Comments ()

We are proud to introduce the 51 amazing moms who will be attending the first annual Mom Congress Conference in Washington, D.C. May 2-4. See which mom is representing your state!

Education News Roundup: School Lunches, Teacher Evaluations, Asthma, and the Race to the Top

By Michelle At Parenting.com On April 9, 2010 Comments ()

Breaking Down the Child Nutrition Act: Q & A (The Atlantic, 4/8/10)

Marion Nestle, professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University and author of Food Politics, Safe Food, What to Eat, and Pet Food Politics sheds light on the Child Nutrition Act, the politics of school lunch, and Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution ("Yes, Oliver is doing reality television, but no, he's not exaggerating").

Educate and Advocate During Autism Awareness Month

By Kate Goodin On April 8, 2010 Comments ()

By Lily Eskelsen, Vice President of the National Education Association and Mom Congress Advisor

In just a little way, it touched my life. The little girl and the little boy were seated in the row in front of me. On an airplane, it's better to have kids in front of you, because behind you, they'll sometimes kick the seat. Dad was with them. Mom was across the aisle. Even as we were being seated, I could tell something was different. The little boy with the angel face was shouting and thrashing. Dad was calm. Mom was calm. The lady in the middle seat next to me said, in what I'm sure she thought was a discreet whisper, "People just spoil their children these days."

Mom jumped up to hand something to Dad, and that's when I saw her T-shirt. It read: My child has autism. Questions are welcome. Parenting advice is not.

Autism has likely touched your life in some way. Maybe it was the little girl who lived on your block or your son's classmate. Perhaps you are the parent of a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or ASD.

The reality is that autism affects one in every 110 children and one in 70 boys.

April is Autism Awareness Month and I encourage you to educate yourself and others. Members of Mom Congress should also advocate for resources to help support children diagnosed with ASD.

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