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PTA Joins 2008 Mock Election Campaign
Premier Child Advocacy Organization Announces Plans to Conduct National Mock Election
| Source: National PTA
WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - February 27, 2008) - Amid a hotly contested presidential primary
race, PTA announced this afternoon that it will partner with the National
Student/Parent Mock Election (NSPME) to conduct the 2008 Mock Election,
taking place on October 30.
The announcement came minutes ago at a special luncheon filled with
hundreds of PTA state presidents and legislative leaders during PTA's
National Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.
Through the partnership, PTA will help NSPME engage young people and
parents in the election process by providing information about the campaign
to, and encouraging the participation of, more than 26,000 PTAs across the
country. NSPME is the nation's largest voter education program, and is
designed to make students and parents aware of the power of their ballot by
actively involving them in a full-fledged campaign and national election.
"As members of PTA, parents and community leaders are called upon to be
strong advocates for all children. The 2008 Mock Election provides
students from elementary school through high school with an opportunity to
speak up for themselves," said Jan Harp Domene, PTA national president,
during the luncheon. "Not only will children discover that their voice and
their priorities are valued, but families and schools will learn about what
matters to youth -- in their own communities and across the country."
Dating since 1980, NSPME is the nation's largest and most successful voter
education project. Through the Mock Election, NSPME engages young people
and their parents, facilitating a much-needed dialogue between them. By
voting on both candidates and contemporary issues, the project initiates an
important discussion on the responsibility and power we all have as
citizens. In 2004, over 4 million Americans, both domestic and abroad,
voted in the Mock Election.
"This is a natural partnership because the National Student/Parent Mock
Election began as a parent involvement project and has steadfastly
advocated that parents, as well as teachers, pass the torch of democracy to
our nation's children. In fact, eighty-eight percent of Americans now want
their children taught about elections, democracy and ethical behavior
starting in elementary school and continuing through high school, according
to a recent survey. We are eager to work with our nation's PTAs," said
Gloria Kirshner, NSPME president.
Domene urged attendees to encourage the program in their states.
"Coordinators are needed at the state and local level. Volunteers are also
needed to assist coordinators with a myriad of responsibilities, including
gaining approval and support from school and district administrators;
building community support and involvement; dissemination of information to
parents, teachers, principals, and school boards; assisting teachers in
planning education activities; and election day on-site voter assistance
and ballot tallying."
PTA's National Legislative Conference (February 26-28) served as the
backdrop for the announcement. The three-day event connects leaders
representing every state in the union to: sharpen their grassroots advocacy
skills; honor a local and state PTA with the PTA Outstanding Advocacy Award
for their legislative efforts; and conduct meetings with their elected
representatives to remind them that "PTA Votes."
PTA joins the NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) as the second organization
to partner with NSPME. NABEF's parent organization, the National
Association of Broadcasters represents 8,300 broadcasters nationwide.
NABEF is encouraging radio and television stations throughout the country
to cover mock elections in local school districts and to sponsor school
activities leading up to National Student Mock Election Day.
About PTA
PTA comprises nearly 6 million parents and other concerned adults devoted
to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent
involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for children, a
relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education.
Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education,
health, and welfare of children and youth.
About NSPME
The National Student/Parent Mock Election is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization run by a nationwide network of volunteer state and school
district coordinators including the League of Women Voters, educators,
public officials and other organizations who put hundreds of thousands of
volunteer hours into the project.
To view this release online, go to:
http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2008/pta022708/index.html