Working with Schools and School Groups

National PTA believes that the public schools, which provide the common experience that helps ensure a democratic society, are essential and must be strengthened and supported. It also believes that parents and other adults have the right to join together to affect the education of all children through membership in the PTA.

PTAs should ensure that the process for establishing school policy is clear and provides an opportunity for the public to express its concerns.

PTAs should maintain contact with school board members as well as school administrators and other school professionals; establish and maintain lines of communication between and among their members, the school staff, and school board; attend school board meetings regularly and report on the proceedings to the PTA membership; and make statements representing the PTA to a school board only after official authorization by their PTA.

School Support Groups

There are numerous school support groups that serve important roles within the education system. They vary in purpose, composition, and relationship to schools and districts/regions, some being formed voluntarily, others required by federal or state law or local policy.

PTAs can serve, when the purpose of the school support group doesn’t conflict with the basic policies of the PTA, as the advisory group or committee for mandated school programs and in an advisory capacity regarding other school-related concerns.