Parent-Teacher Association
Encyclopedia
In the U.S.
a parent-teacher association (PTA) or Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a public or private school. Most public and private K-8 school
s in the U.S. have a PTA, a Parent Teacher Organization
or an equivalent local organization. These organizations also occur (though less frequently) at high schools and preschools. At the local level, the goal of all parent-teacher groups is to support their schools, encourage parent involvement, support teachers, and organize family events.
Groups going by the PTA acronym are part of the National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA), a non-profit formerly based in Chicago
(now in Alexandria, Virginia
) that was founded on February 17, 1897, with membership open to anyone who believes in its mission and purposes. The first meeting was held in Marietta, Georgia
by Alice McLellen Birney at Marietta High School
. Every person who joins a local PTA automatically becomes a member of both the state and National PTAs. PTA membership — including the number of affiliated units and of individual members — has been declining for several decades. The group boasted more than 12 million members in the late 1960s; today membership is down below 5.2 million.
On June 28, 2009, Chuck Saylors became the 113 year old group's first male president. According to Saylors, only about 10% of the formerly all-female group's members are men.
Local groups doing similar work but that are unassociated with the state and national structure of the National PTA are often known as Parent Teacher Organization
s (PTOs). A number of other acronyms are used as well. In the United States, roughly 25% of parent groups are PTAs, while the remainder are independent. There are 23,000 local organizations recognized by the National PTA in the United States.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
a parent-teacher association (PTA) or Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a public or private school. Most public and private K-8 school
K-8 school
A K-8 school in the United States is a school that combines both elementary school and middle school students in the range from kindergarten through eighth grade.- Examples :* David Lawrence Jr. K-8 Center, North Miami, Florida...
s in the U.S. have a PTA, a Parent Teacher Organization
Parent Teacher Organization
A Parent Teacher Organization is a formal organization that consists of parents, teachers and school staff. The organization's goals may vary from organization to organization, but essentially the goals include volunteerism of parents, encouragement of teachers and students, community...
or an equivalent local organization. These organizations also occur (though less frequently) at high schools and preschools. At the local level, the goal of all parent-teacher groups is to support their schools, encourage parent involvement, support teachers, and organize family events.
Groups going by the PTA acronym are part of the National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA), a non-profit formerly based in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
(now in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
) that was founded on February 17, 1897, with membership open to anyone who believes in its mission and purposes. The first meeting was held in Marietta, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
by Alice McLellen Birney at Marietta High School
Marietta High School (Georgia)
Marietta High School is a public high school in the Marietta City Schools system in Marietta, Georgia. The school colors are royal blue, silver, and white and its mascot is the Blue Devil. Marietta High School's main rival schools are Harrison High School and McEachern High School.Of the 21,786...
. Every person who joins a local PTA automatically becomes a member of both the state and National PTAs. PTA membership — including the number of affiliated units and of individual members — has been declining for several decades. The group boasted more than 12 million members in the late 1960s; today membership is down below 5.2 million.
On June 28, 2009, Chuck Saylors became the 113 year old group's first male president. According to Saylors, only about 10% of the formerly all-female group's members are men.
Local groups doing similar work but that are unassociated with the state and national structure of the National PTA are often known as Parent Teacher Organization
Parent Teacher Organization
A Parent Teacher Organization is a formal organization that consists of parents, teachers and school staff. The organization's goals may vary from organization to organization, but essentially the goals include volunteerism of parents, encouragement of teachers and students, community...
s (PTOs). A number of other acronyms are used as well. In the United States, roughly 25% of parent groups are PTAs, while the remainder are independent. There are 23,000 local organizations recognized by the National PTA in the United States.