Published: 08-08-08
Parents Convene in Austin from 10 Texas Communities for Daylong Training
AUSTIN TEXAS—August 7 2008—In recognition of the importance of high quality early care and education to Texas families the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition (TECEC) will convene the “Special Session” for Parents at the Texas Capitol Building in Austin Texas on Saturday August 9 2008.
The Special Session is a major piece of TECEC’s 2008 campaign titled “The Year of the Parent.” Since January the organization has traveled to numerous communities throughout Texas engaging parents about the importance of early care and education and recruiting them to become legislative advocates for our youngest Texans.
More than twenty parents representing ten different Texas communities will assemble in Austin to receive an in-depth legislative training. Parents will learn the basics of the Texas legislative process including how to testify before Legislative Committees and best practices for making legislative visits. Parents will also receive training in how to read and interpret bills and legislation.
Among the many educational events of the day attendees will hear from Mary Throop Senior Policy Analyst for Rep. Mark Strama on the basics of the Texas Legislative process.
Additionally Dr. John Gasko TECEC’s Director of Research and Policy will address parents on the committee process in the Texas Legislature and on the importance of providing legislative testimony.
“Pre-k will be a critical issue in the upcoming 81st Legislative Session” said Kara Johnson Executive Director of TECEC. “TECEC is mobilizing parents because we know that parents are an important group that legislators want to hear from” Johnson added.
The Special Session for Parents was born from the fact that many parents were simply looking for a way to get involved. “During our travels across Texas we were astounded by the number of parents ready to join the early childhood education movement in Texas” said Kara Johnson.
The “Special Session” for Parents will run from 8:30am - 1:30pm on Saturday August 9 2008. The majority of the day’s events will take place in hearing room E1.012 at the Texas Capitol Building from 9:30am – 12:30pm.
