A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO implement THE NORTH CAROLINA PTA PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT INITIATIVE.
Whereas, the North Carolina PTA with 240,000 members is the largest parent organization in our State; and
Whereas, the North Carolina PTA has vast experience working with parents to help their children and working with parents to help other parents; and
Whereas, active and informed parental involvement is essential to every child's educational success; and
Whereas, North Carolina's 68% graduation rate is inconsistent with the State's determination to educate every child for a full and satisfying life; and
Whereas, for various reasons, far too many parents are insufficiently engaged in the education of their children; and
Whereas, it is extremely difficult if not impossible for public schools to serve as a complete substitute for the role parents must play in the education of their children; and
Whereas, to improve educational achievement for all children, to keep more children in school until they graduate, and to avoid the extreme economic consequences of failing to provide substantial numbers of children with a sound basic education, North Carolina must increase the active and informed involvement of parents in the education of their children; and
Whereas, the North Carolina PTA's experience includes many approaches to help parents become more involved in the education of their children because a single approach will not work for all families or all school systems; and
Whereas, the North Carolina PTA's experience is diverse and includes parents and children from all backgrounds in every part of the State; and
Whereas, it is in the State's interest, and in the interest of all children, to help the North Carolina PTA expand its statewide parental involvement programs; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization, the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to implement the North Carolina PTA Parental Involvement Initiative.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.