Membership
is open to anyone who believes in the mission and purposes of Parent
Teacher Association. Individual members may belong to any number of
PTAs and pay dues in each. Every person who joins a local PTA
automatically becomes a member of both the state and national PTAs.
Together
we are a powerful voice for children. With your help, we
can continue to work toward PTA's goal of a quality education and
nurturing environment for every child.
- A
powerful voice for all children,
- A relevant resource for families and
communities, and
- A strong advocate for the education and
well-being of every child.
Making every child's potential a reality.
Collaboration: We work
in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to
accomplish our agreed-upon goals.
Commitment:
We are dedicated to promoting children’s health, well-being,
and
educational success through strong parent, family, and community
involvement.
Accountability: We acknowledge our
obligations. We deliver on our promises.
Respect: We
value our colleagues and ourselves. We expect the same high quality of
effort and thought from ourselves as we do from others.
Inclusivity:
We invite the stranger and welcome the newcomer. We value and seek
input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints and experiences as possible.
Integrity: We act consistently with
our beliefs. When we err, we acknowledge the mistake and seek to make
amends.
- To promote the welfare of the children
and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
- To raise the standards of home life.
- To secure adequate laws for the care and
protection of children and youth.
- To bring into closer relation the home
and the school, that parents
and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children
and youth.
- To develop between educators and the
general public such united
efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest
advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.
- The Local Parent Teacher Association
PTA
at the local level is linked to the state PTA and the national PTA
organization, forming a nationwide network of members working on behalf
of all children and youth.
Because
of its connections to the state and national PTAs, the local PTA is a
valuable resource to its school community with:
1.
access to programs to benefit children, youth, and their families
2.
Recognition and size to influence the formulation of laws, policies,
and practices—education or legislative.
Preschool
groups often round up parents from several neighborhoods and various
early-childhood programs. They involve child-care providers,
grandparents, and others concerned with the education and development
of children from birth to age five.
PTAs
serve as a type of forum where parents, teachers, administrators, and
other concerned adults discuss ways to promote quality education,
strive to expand the arts, encourage community involvement, and work
for a healthy environment and safe neighborhoods.
PTSAs
actually provide youth members with the opportunity to make a
difference by developing leadership skills, learning about the
legislative process, increasing their self-esteem, and contributing to
the school. In turn, adult members gain a new perspective for program
development, as well as acquire a better understanding of the youth of
today.
PTA
believes that all children have the right to a quality public
education, which allows each child the opportunity to reach his or her
fullest potential. Special Education PTAs are designed to help parents
advocate for special-needs children.
PTA
welcomes into membership people representing a diversity of cultures,
ethnic backgrounds, and political and religious beliefs. The purposes
of the PTA acknowledge the importance of a spiritual life in the
development of children and youth. As an association, PTA has the right
to offer inspirational messages to open or close its meetings, but such
messages by PTA leaders or invited religious leaders should be
inspirational rather than sectarian, recognizing that in this
pluralistic nation not all members share the same beliefs. Poetry,
quotations from great men and women, uplifting anecdotes, and moments
of quiet meditation can be used.
(excerpt from
the National PTAs Web site)
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