Administration theme, “The PTA Speaks Out – A Place for Everyone in PTA” — November 1977, the National PTA initiated the Urban Education Project which sought to identify problems plaguing inner-city schools and propose solutions with parents and students as key players. National PTA’s Washington DC office led a campaign opposing tax credits to families whose children attended nonpublic schools.
The administration theme, “The Today PTA – The Year of the Local Unit.” — This administration initiated the first Legislative Conference, now an annual event in Washington, D.C., and the legislative newsletter What’s Happening in Washington was created. President Kimmel presented an Honorary National Life Membership to First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The National PTA Bulletin was replaced by “PTA Today.”
The PTA cooperated with several governmental agencies in the 70’s to educate the public on preventing alcohol abuse among children and youth. PTA counted a victory with the passage of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 which allowed parents the right to inspect their children’s school records. The NCCPT historical documents were added to the National PTA archives. The National PTA dues were increased to twenty (20) cents effective April 1, 1975.
In 1972, the United States Postal Service acknowledged the 75th anniversary of National PTA with a commemorative 8-cent stamp.
President Price represented the National Congress at the 25th anniversary of the United Nations. The National PTA bylaws were revised at the 1971 convention to include students on the National PTA board of managers and they were considered full and equal members of their PTAs or PTSAs. In 1969, Mary Lou Anderson stated, “Without the Arts, education is paltry indeed!” She is the founder of the Reflections Program which encourages children of local PTA units to submit original works of art in four categories: literature, musical composition, photography and the visual arts. The Reflections program is an expression of the PTA’s belief that an arts education is central to learning and an important stimulant of crucial thought processes. Former president of the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers was elected to the National PTA Board of Managers as well as former leader, Tessie Oliver Nixon joined as National PTA field staff.
President of the Georgia Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, 1954-1958 and the last NCCPT president – the end of her administration marking the culmination of the two associations’ work to formally merge in 1970. At their annual convention in Atlanta, Georgia on June 22, 1970 the two organizations formally united to become – the National PTA. Clara Gay was appointed as an advisor to the National PTA board of managers and was presented with the National Life Membership Award.