A strong Parent-Teacher Association (PTA/PTO) can make a real difference for students, teachers, and schools. It’s especially important for educators to understand how a PTA/PTO works, as these organizations can help build excellent working relationships with parents and families. Here’s what you need to know, plus tips for making the most of your PTA/PTO from real educators.
What is a Parent-Teacher Association?
As the name implies, a Parent-Teacher Association—usually abbreviated PTA or PTO—is an organization made up of parents and families who partner with educators to support a school and its students. Teachers already know that students with supportive and involved families tend to perform better in school. A PTA provides important ways for parents and families to partner with schools and teachers, improving the experience for everyone.
“I love our PTO,” enthuses Mary Quinn Wood, a 6th grade math teacher from Mississippi. “They are a group of supportive parents and teachers whose main goal is to ensure that our school can function at its best daily!”
PTA vs. PTO
Individual school PTAs are part of the larger National Parent Teacher Association. This major organization collects dues and, in exchange, offers structure and support for school PTAs. The National PTA also advocates on behalf of schools for better educational policies and funding.
If a group doesn’t wish to be affiliated with the national association, it’s usually known as a Parent-Teacher Organization, or PTO. These groups have more autonomy to set their own bylaws and policies. However, they may lack the support offered by a large national organization.
Both of these types of groups can be extremely effective at facilitating solid and meaningful relationships between educators and families. Schools who are setting up a new org can explore both options and decide which one suits them best.
What does a Parent-Teacher Association Do?
PTA/PTOs are involved in schools and education in a variety of ways, including:
- Fundraising: This is one of the major contributions of most PTA/PTOs. They set up and run fundraising activities and events to provide funds for school improvements, classroom materials, student trips, and more.
- Student support: A PTA/PTO may support individual students or student groups with supplies, tutoring, fees, or other resources.
- Teacher appreciation: These organizations often arrange activities and treats for teachers throughout the year, especially during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
- School-family communication: Many PTA/PTOs run or contribute heavily to school newsletters and social media accounts. They work actively to recruit more parents and families to help support their schools.
- Volunteer coordination: Parent volunteers can have a big impact, and PTA/PTOs often help coordinate their participation in various programs in and out of the classroom.
- Advocacy: Depending on their affiliation, bylaws, and beliefs, a PTA/PTO may advocate for funding and policies from their local, state, or federal government agencies.
Can a good PTA/PTO make a real difference for schools?
Most definitely! We asked educators to share their own experiences with their local PTA/PTO groups. In many cases, these orgs provided so much support that teachers, students, and schools would otherwise lack. Check out some of the amazing ways that Parent-Teacher Associations make an impact.
Funding Teacher Projects and Requests
Katie W. teaches in Wyoming at a school with a very active PTO. “Our PTO organizes our class photo sessions and delivery, hosts skate night and bingo for books, holds Teacher Appreciation Week lunches and activities, and organizes our EPI school supplies orders. They’ve also purchased flexible seating and smart notebooks, and funded many parties for our 4th grade team.” In short, Katie says, “They have supported almost every request that we have given them.”
In California, Amanda M. is head teacher at a one-room rural school for pre-K through 3rd grade. Their Parent-Teacher Organization “raises money for high-interest student activities we otherwise could not afford,” she explains. “They helped fund two gardening projects and host an annual Read-a-Thon in which I get money to buy books for my classroom library.”
Getting Families Involved
According to a Kansas high school math teacher, a PTO/PTA means “parents have the opportunity to be involved with the school. It connects the school and community. They are in and around the school helping with various activities and generally being supportive as needed.”
“Our PTO provides volunteers for events like water day and field day. These volunteers are there for students to help them if they get hurt, run events, be a runner in the hallway, etc.,” notes Texas pre-K teacher Christina H. “It also brings in extra volunteers for school events like family night and field day. They contribute to teacher appreciation, which is always nice and appreciated.”
Providing Educational Extras
Tight school budgets can mean there’s no money available for extras. That’s where a good PTA/PTO can step in, as one Pennsylvania 5th grade teacher can attest. “They pay for our field trips, provide meals during conferences, and send us positive notes throughout the year. Plus, they plan and run quarterly family nights and our End of Year Fun Day, provide snacks during state testing, and set up information tables during conferences for parents.”
A Vermont reading interventionist shares similar experiences. “Our PTA funds artists-in-residence as well as paying for students to attend live performances. They sponsor Halloween activities and Bike to School Day breakfast. They also provide mini grants for teachers to purchase items that are not covered by the budget.”
Advocating for All Students
Special education teacher Pamela P. is especially appreciative of her PTA/PTO’s willingness to support her students. “They made school events accessible to my students with both physical and sensory needs.”
In the Kansas school mentioned above, the PTA/PTO provides money to students traveling with school organizations. The money covers students’ meals so that all students can afford to attend.
How can educators form effective partnerships with their Parent-Teacher Associations?
Get involved! “Keep in mind the PTA/PTO is a parent-teacher organization, so the teachers need to be present,” urges Christina H. “Teachers need to reach out and ask for help in addition to being a part of the planning and implementation process.”
Other teachers agree, urging educators to join their local organizations and attend meetings when they can. “Our teachers take turns signing up to attend the meetings as we are the ‘T’ in PTA,” explains a Vermont teacher. “These staff members will report back to the staff as to what was covered in the meeting.”
Another pro tip? Keep the lines of communication open. “Connect with the leaders to develop a partnership. They can’t help your classroom if they don’t know the needs,” Pamela P. points out.
Finally, always be sure to show your appreciation for the PTA/PTO’s contributions. Many teachers recommend sending thank-you notes for teacher appreciation gifts and events, or showing up at meetings to thank the group in person for funding a special project or request. Students can get in on this too. “Have students send a thank-you after a field trip and share what they liked about it,” recommends one 5th grade teacher.
How can PTA/PTOs improve their relationships with teachers and families?
While some schools have stellar parent-teacher organizations, others find them distinctly lacking. “Anything that benefits the students is beneficial. Unfortunately ours is heavily ridden with drama and nasty humans,” a New York 2nd grade teacher laments. “It can be so positive if it is done correctly.”
Making a PTA/PTO work is especially difficult in lower-income areas. “Parents are working in these neighborhoods and don’t have time or space in their lives to take on the responsibility and work,” explains one 4th grade teacher. “It’s not that they don’t care. It’s okay if they can’t provide funding and donations like others. There are other ways they can be impactful.”
That’s why many teachers in our survey recommend that PTA/PTOs make a special effort to accommodate multiple ways for parents to participate. “Many working parents are willing to help but cannot attend meetings,” a 7th grade science teacher clarifies. “Try to tap into those resources. They could make phone calls, cut out materials, make food, etc.”
Parent-Teacher Associations should also be mindful of what they ask from teachers. As one teacher wryly suggests, “Something feels wrong in being strongly encouraged to pay membership to an organization that uses dues to … buy us treats?” In the best PTA/PTOs, members build a true partnership where everyone gives and everyone receives.
