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Why Parents Need PTA

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Join ϳԹFor Your Child


Parents Belong in PTA

You belong in PTA! ...and so do your relatives, neighbors and friends... Spread the word!

For less than 3 cents a day, you can become a ϳԹmember, joining more than 4 million other people who share your interest in issues affecting children.

Everyone—parents, educators, students and other citizens active in their schools and communities—is invited to join our not-for-profit parent association.

The number one reason to join the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help your school.

Join

But there are many more ϳԹadvantages:

Parents Belong in PTA

  • Get Connected

    There’s no better way to know what’s happening in your school.

  • Discover Great Resources

    The ϳԹoffers a variety of programs designed for parents as well as students.

  • Tap into a Network

    ϳԹfunctions are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers, building rapport and discussing issues that are on your mind. You can share ideas, concerns, and experiences.

  • Watch Yourself Grow

    By volunteering with your PTA, you put your skills and hobbies to use for a noble cause—your child and all children in the community.

  • Speak Up

    ϳԹcan be a way for you to more effectively suggest change at your child’s school.

  • Witness Improvement

    By getting involved at your child’s school you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. Local PTAs play an important role by supporting building improvements through advocacy and play an important role in fundraising for curriculum based programs and social events.

  • Be a Role Model

    By becoming a ϳԹmember, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.

  • Enjoy Substantial Benefits

    Individuals and local units can take advantage of a host of benefits from ϳԹmembership including discounts and offers from member benefits providers and sponsors, magazine subscriptions, leadership training, e-newsletters and much more.


PTAs Provide Valuable Support in Many Ways

Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) provide valuable support to parents in various ways. Here are some additional ways in which PTAs can help parents:

Engagement and Involvement

PTAs encourage parents to be actively engaged in their children's education. They provide opportunities for parents to take part in school activities, attend meetings, and collaborate with teachers and administrators. By joining the PTA, parents can stay informed about their child's school life, gain insights into the educational system and contribute to their child's learning experience.

Networking and Support

PTAs create a platform for parents to connect and build relationships with other parents who share common interests and concerns. These networks provide support, advice and a sense of community. Parents can exchange ideas, share experiences, and seek guidance on various parenting and educational matters.

Information Sharing

PTAs serve as a vital source of information for parents. They disseminate important announcements, updates on school policies, curriculum changes and educational resources. PTAs often organize workshops, seminars, and guest speaker events to provide parents with valuable insights into parenting techniques, child development and educational topics.

Advocacy

PTAs can advocate for parents' interests and concerns at the school and district level. They can address issues such as student well-being, safety, educational quality and parental rights. By working collectively, PTAs have the potential to influence school policies and decision-making processes in a way that benefits parents and their children.

Educational Resources

PTAs may organize book fairs, educational workshops, and other initiatives to provide parents with access to educational resources. They may also offer guidance on navigating the educational system, understanding curriculum expectations and supporting their child's learning at home. PTAs can serve as a valuable source of information and support for parents seeking to enhance their child's educational journey.

Volunteer Opportunities

PTAs often offer various volunteering opportunities for parents within the school. This allows parents to actively participate in school activities and contribute their skills and time. Volunteering not only strengthens the school community but also provides parents with a chance to be directly involved in their child's education and create lasting memories.

Parent Education

PTAs can organize workshops and seminars designed to educate parents on topics such as effective communication, parent-child relationships, understanding and supporting their child's learning style and other relevant parenting skills. These educational opportunities empower parents with knowledge and tools to better navigate their role as parents and support their child's educational journey.



10 Reasons You Belong in PTA

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Amplify your voice. ϳԹtrains parents to advocate for children by taking actions and building coalitions that make positive change. Through PTA, you are informed about what you can do to affect local, state and federal policies that most impact children, families and schools.

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Have fun and meet new people! Show your passion while making new lifelong friends from across your community, state and country that share your commitment to children.

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Save time and effectively run your PTA. Use the Local ϳԹLeader Kit and an array of eLearning courses full of best practices and downloadable tools to help you lead your ϳԹand manage finances, grow membership, plan programs, fundraise, communicate with families and partner with school administrators to advocate for school improvements.

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Access resources and grants for your family engagement efforts. Apply for funds or choose from an extensive collection of guides and digital tools for parents, including topics such as college and career preparation, child safety, navigating special needs and much more. 

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Participate in PTA’s nationally-recognized student and family programs. Encourage students to explore the arts through Reflections, the nations largest and longest running student arts program. Use PTA’s program kits and apply for grants to engage families in health and safety, literacy, bullying prevention, digital safety and STEM.

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Gain recognition and national visibility for improving your school. Participate in National PTA’s School of Excellence program to strengthen your family-school partnership by engaging families in supporting student success and continuous school improvement. Earn national recognition that is celebrated at your school, in your district and across your state.

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Share timely parenting info. Our premier publication, Our Children Magazine, was created for the parent who’s always on the go and looking for the best parenting, wellness, education and ϳԹcommunity info to help their child excel at school and in life. Share these and even hotter topics from our weekly digital publication ϳԹWeekend Update. If parents should know it, we cover it!

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Benefit from money-saving deals. ϳԹmembers save time and money on major brands. Check for the latest offers.

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Transform parent leadership into professional development. Increase your impact, visibility and connections by taking a leadership role on ϳԹboards in your state—or with National PTA. We support you every step of the way with in-person, mobile and digital learning experiences, as well as mentors who become your champions for life.

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Create the village that helps to raise kids and strengthen schools and communities. ϳԹbelieves we can make every child’s potential a reality—but we need more believers. We need you.



Find a Local PTA

There are more than 20,000 ϳԹunits across the country, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Europe, and Puerto Rico. Contact your State PTA to find a local unit near you. Contact National PTA® at info@pta.org or (800)307-4782 for more information.

The ϳԹAdvantage

The PTA’s nationwide network provides parents with the forum and tools to collectively influence the decisions that affect children not only at their schools, but also throughout their districts, within their states, and across the nation. This mission is unique to the PTA. Learn about The ϳԹAdvantage.

Benefits of ϳԹMembership

View the membership benefits and incredible values offered to members of ϳԹfrom a range of generous providers.

Top Schools Supported by PTAs

The latest  ranking of America's best high schools shows that six of the top 10 are ϳԹschools.