The PTA And Parent Organizations
What is the "PTA"?
The PTA stands for Parent/Teacher Associaton and basically it is an organization that's involved around the life of the school to provide support for teachers. Parents and teachers get together to figure out what kinds of support the school needs. For example, special funding to support teachers recognizing student achievement, specialized parties, for example, to recognize honor students, specialized certificates/ceremonies to recognize most improved or students that have perfect attendance. All those things are activities that the PTA sponsors and all of those lead to higher academic achievement for kids at the school. The stronger the PTA, the stronger the school achieves academically.
Why should I join the PTA?
P.T.A. is really essential because it's just like considering a weak link in a chain, if there are weak links, the chain will break. The P.T.A. assures that chain is really solid, to provide the support that teachers need. In every state in the United States, the funding is different. Some states provide more money to schools than other states. No state provides what is really neccesary to educate a child. That's where the parents come in. So, by your involvement in the P.T.A., you are going to ensure that at this school in this town that your kid attends is going to be the best school possible because you're involved.
What's the difference between my local PTA and the national PTA?
National PTA is concerned with national level movements: improving reading, improving health care for students. The local PTA, at your child's elementary school, for example, is focused on the issues at your child's elementary school, so it can be more fine-tuned. The beauty of the PTA is you're supporting your local school, you're supporting also a state-wide movement to improve schools in the state, and also, at the same time, supporting schools nationally, because, as a good parent, you want to make sure that education is universal and, wherever a student lives, there is quality instruction. PTA supports that, so it's really a truly noble effort to be involved in, at the national level, the state level, and also at the local level.
What if I don't agree with my local PTA's mission or methods?
The PTA is a democratic organization. My suggestion is to talk to other parents and be involved in the leadership of the PTA even if you disagree with its aims and methods. Most principals welcome that so your voice needs to be heard by attending a PTA meeting, not by staying at home saying "I don't understand why the PTA is doing this and this and this". But by getting involved in the PTA and saying we need to address this and this and this, and that way you will strengthen the PTA because it's not a monolithic organization.
What is a "PTO"?
A PTO is basically Parent Teacher Organization. Normally PTOs are not affiliated with the larger umbrella group of the PTA. The PTA is structured at a school level, state level, and national level. PTOs are usually independent entities that centre at your child's elementary school, middle school, or high school. Basically they're just not affiliated. So, all of the dues, for example, will remain in the local organization, as opposed to the PTA which will send a small portion of their dues to the state level and another smaller portion to the national level. So, with a PTO those monies stay at the school site.
What school organizations, besides the PTA and the PTO, should I join?
The Parents Advisory Committee is a technical role unlike the PTA which look at the support. With PAC it looks at the curriculum, what is being taught in school and how effective it is, and also the safety of the children. With the PAC you are looking at the whole need of the school. It is important to have every level, every walk of life to provide an imput.
What is a "school site council"?
A school site council is a committee of parents which also involves the school principal and representatives from the teaching staff, such as teachers, perhaps the school's secretary, and perhaps the school's custodian. The school site council look at curricular issues and they look at safety issues, unlike the PTA which looks more at support activities; fund raising activities so that the school can go over and above and recognise high achieving kids, or perfect attendance kids, and provide incentive for students. The school site council advisory committee looks at more curricular areas; what's going on in the class room in terms of instruction, and if that can be improved in any way.
What are "parent advisory committees"?
Parent advisory committees are formal committees in most states. Elections to parent advisory committees are required. There are rules governing that. Usually there's a two year term for members of the parent advisory committee. Basically the parent advisory committee looks at curricular issues. In California parent advisory committees are called school site councils.
