Legislation

= **Gun Control and Violence** = This page provides information legislation that directly impacts parents with children in schools in Philadelphia. The discussion tab of this page is not generally used or checked. If you have an issue for discussion, please see the links under "Discussion" to the left of this page.

Please be aware that within a short time Pennsylvania's high school students may be required to pass high school Graduation Competency Assessments (GCA), unless they receive special education support services, to graduate from high school with a regular diploma. Click Schools for more information. Submitted by Loraine Carter (tjones 4/28/09)
 * Graduation Competency Assessments (GCA)**

1. Unwanted or Mistimed Pregnancy is Associated with Higher Levels of Depression Among First-Time Fathers 2. Disadvantaged Urban Men More Likely to Have Three or More Children 3. Joint Planning for Children Reduces Likelihood of High-Risk Births\ Click [|LINK] for more details (tjones 4/20)
 * Three New Studies Highlight Importance of Fathers in Family Planning**

Check out what Ben Wright, Regional Superintendent of the Alternative Education Schools said at a meeting about 'World Class Operations' at a workshop at Girls High. Click Here. //Submitted// //By Cecelia Thompson.// (tjones 4/1)
 * Strategic Plan "World Class Operations"**

They're no longer the only option for African-American students, but the country's historically black colleges and universities brag that they provide a supportive environment where these students are more likely to succeed. For more info clink [|LINK] //Submitted by Sulaiman A. Wood//. (Tellis 4/8)
 * Men struggling to finish at black colleges**:

Read the story just issued by the parent-led organization, Concerned Black Parents on their blog about Pennsylvania's high school exit exams, the Keystone Exams. This is news African American parents must take the time to become aware of given the achievement gap affects us most. We need to become knowledgeable about the achievement gap, increasing academic success, and the potential impact these exit exams will have on our community. Check it out on [|LINK] (Tellis 4/7)
 * A Parents' Must Read Blog on PA's New High School Graduation Regulation**

was introduced late last week. [|LINK] This is the House version of the task force on incarcerated children sponsored by Rep. Parker with a total of 39 co-sponsors. This Resolution is in the House Children and Youth Committee. Support is needed for votes for HR 203 and SR 52 to move the Resolutions out of Committee and then on the respective floor.//Submitted by Sulaiman Wood from Parentpartners//. (Tellis 4/7)
 * HR 203**

The answer seems to be "Yes, mostly...."I've written a bit more about what that means, and what our responsibilities are in a posting on WHYY"s web site at: [|LINK] where you can also post your replies to my posting. Follow WHYY's coverage of the budget at: [|LINK] //Submitted by Harris Sokoloff//.(Tellis4/7)
 * Did the mayor keep his promises? Will he really take the work we do seriously? Will it have any effect on his budget?**

This is a great website all parents can use to access valuable information about the negative outcomes of teen pregnancy. The following is a feature of the website concerning the trend of teen pregnancy. **[|//Ten Reasons to// Still //Keep the Focus on Teen Childbearing//]**. (Lily4/10) [|http://www.childtrends.org]
 * Child Trends Newsletter and Website**

Here parents can access valuable information and resources concerning father empowerment. Information about various events and trainings that are offered through this organization. (Lily4/10)
 * New York State Fatherhood Initiative Website**


 * States use 3rd grade reading levels to decide of prison construction. [|Full story here.]** (znichols, 2/23/09)

A part of the stimulus funding that allocates 100 Billion Dollars to states for education investment, will be completed by Mid April. States will have access to the first 44B. See [|Stimulus_timeline.pdf] for a complete breakdown of the allocation process. (Lily4/10)
 * The first phase of the The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act**

An effort to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. Secretary Arne Duncan has released guidance on the ARRA, including State Fiscal Stabilization Funds, Title 1, and IDEA. Please click [|here] for more information. //Submitted by Quibila Divine (4/2 lvargas)//
 * Department of Education Information Related to the Economic Recovery Act of 2009**


 * American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)** will provide significant funding to schools that have high concentration of students from families that live in poverty in order to help improve teaching and learning conditions for students most at risk of failing to meet state academic achievement standards. For more information click this [|LINK] //Submitted by Quibila Divine. (3/31/ tellis)//


 * The Education Commission of the States (ECS)** Three new policy briefs have been released promoting academic success in high school, specifically examining 9th grade transitional year, parental involvement, and teacher preparation. More info on the study's results

= = **In a major threat to the visitors and citizens of the Nation's Capital, this week, the U.S. House is considering a sweeping bill to repeal D.C. gun laws that would endanger public safety and threaten homeland security.** (We perceive this as an NRA attempt to mis-use the //Heller// casein order to deceive Congress andrush legislation through before the election.) **Click Here to Email Congress: Tell Them to Protect Our Nation's Capital** [|http://www.bradynetwork.org/ site/Advocacy?id=841]

The bill, H.R. 6691, would allow dangerous people to openly carry assault rifles and other military weapons on the streets of our Nation's Capital. ** It would allow nearly anyone, even teenagers and children, to carry loaded assault rifles on the streets of our Nation's Capital. ** It would mean law enforcement could not stop individuals from arming themselves with assault rifles and .50 caliber rifles near federal and government buildings or motorcade routes. The lobbyists for the gun industry are deceptively suggesting that the legislation is needed for the city to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in //District of Columbia v. Heller//. Instead of giving the local elected officials a fair and reasonable opportunity to enact permanent regulations, the gun lobby is pushing Congress to enact dangerous and sweeping legislation that goes far beyond the mandates of //Heller//. In reality, the bill is just another effort by the gun lobby to push its extremist agenda. **We must stop it**.

[|https://secure2.convio.net/ mmm/site/Advocacy?id=841& pagename=homepage]
 * Click here to email Congress: tell them to protect our Nation's Capital**

See the national email [|http://www.bradynetwork.org/ site/MessageViewer?em_id= 31221.0&printer_friendly=1]

Read the Brady Campaign Press Release on the bill [|http://www.bradycampaign.org/ media/release.php?release=1005]

SeePaul Helmke'sletter to Homeland Security, Attorney General, FBI, and Secret Service about the dangers of this bill [|http://www.bradycampaign.org/ xshare/pdf/letters/HR-6691-DC- security.pdf]

Read //The Washington Post// editorial on H.R. 6691 [|http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/article/2008/ 09/07/AR2008090701982.html]

Get more details about how H.R. 6691 would endanger public safety [|http://www.bradycampaign.org/ xshare/pdf/fedleg/HR6691- summary.pdf]