Why Schools Need PTA

In This Section

National PTA 125th Anniversary




Notes from the Backpack Podcast

Join PTA For Your Child


How PTA Can Help Your School

Harnessing the Power of Volunteers

Shrinking budgets. Increasing class sizes. Government mandates. The challenges of delivering quality education are daunting. There is help. It’s the PTA.

It doesn't take much time to get a Parent Teacher Association started either.

Find just one parent in your school to take the lead, and before you know it, there will be a group of dedicated parents doing what PTA does best: providing resources and programs to all families.

PTA Can Help Your School

PTAs Benefit Everyone

PTA addresses issues that are important to parents and public school administrators. We fight for full funding, quality teachers, and capabilities for schools to thrive. If your school or district does not have a PTA, now is the time. Membership is open to everyone. Your PTA is autonomous but supported by a national structure. It sets its own dues.

Why Your School Needs a PTA
Why Your School Needs a PTA (en español)

Some of PTA’s Benefits

  • Leverage Volunteer Power

    PTA organizes hard-working, dedicated volunteers. Parents are ready to help implement school improvement programs.

  • Improve Communication

    PTAs frequently coordinate production of a school newsletter and information fliers, keeping the entire school community informed of current events, issues, and accomplishments. Regular meetings allow PTAs to share information with members.

  • See Measurable Results

    More than 85 research studies conducted over the past 30 years prove that kids do better when parents are involved. Grades are higher. Test scores improve. Attendance increases.

  • Discover More Dollars

    Local PTAs are self-funding. By inviting the entire school’s parent community to join, they generate membership fees to pay for programs. Local PTA fundraisers support school programs, building improvements, and educational events.

  • Tap into Proven Programs

    Local PTAs have access to ready-made, easy-to-use programs with proven success records. From health and safety topics, to collaborating with teachers and community members, to fundraising, the programs get results.

  • Boost Children’s Well-Being

    PTAs focus on what students need to be successful in their learning, including nutrition, health, school safety, physical fitness and general well-being. PTA works with schools to ensure that children succeed.

  • Enjoy Informed Parents

    Involved parents understand the challenges schools face and become part of the solution. By developing a closer relationship with parents, student achievement improves, and the school develops a positive reputation in the community.

  • Fulfill ESSA Obligations

    Finally, PTAs can help schools fulfill the parent involvement requirement of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). PTA understands the needs behind ESSA. In fact, it’s National PTA’s definition of parent involvement that is used in ESSA.

10 Reasons to Belong in PTA

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PTA creates the village that helps to raise our kids and strengthen our community.

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PTA links families to important school and community information.

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PTA hosts fun, educational clubs, programs and events for our families.

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PTA raises money to support the specific needs of our school.

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PTA engages in school and digital safety initiatives.

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PTA offers kids the opportunity to explore the arts and develop critical thinking, teamwork and creativity.

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PTA inspires a love of reading and enhances students’ book and literary options.

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PTA encourages healthy lifestyles and food choices for every family.

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PTA tracks local, state and national policies every day so we can advocate for what’s best for our students, families and schools.

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PTA believes we can make every child’s potential a reality …