PTA vs. PTO
The tug-of-war over an "A" and "O"

Comparing PTA and PTO is like comparing apples and oranges. Both groups work hard for children and their families, but your membership in a PTO isn't the same as membership in PTA.

	PTO is a generic acronym for a parent or parent/teacher organization, usually associated with a public or private school which often operates like a PTA, but is not chartered by the National PTA and does not pay membership dues to the state or National PTA.
	PTA is a registered trademark for the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, first organized in 1897 as the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. There are over 27,000 local units in 54 Congresses in the NPTA. Local units enjoy the benefits of membership funded by dues paid per member.
	PTO is a stand-alone organization without an organized network of like organizations or state and national support.
	PTA is a self-governed organization, but chartered by the National PTA and associated through a state congress. Training, programs, projects and assistance are always available.
	PTOs do not have tax-exempt status unless they file individually and often do not understand that the IRS rules for fund-raising apply to everyone, not just a PTA.
	PTAs are tax-exempt under the National PTA umbrella. PTAs must comply with IRS rules regarding commerciality.
	PTOs usually focus on raising funds for a local school rather than supporting a mission or purpose that addresses all aspects of a child's life, at home, at school, in the community and place of worship.
	PTAs raise funds to support programs and projects that support the PTA mission and purposes which do address all aspects of a child's life, at school and at home.
If you are a PTO, consider the benefits of becoming a PTA. If you are a PTA considering a change to a PTO, know all the facts before you forfeit your rights as a PTA.