PTO Today

Hi Doug -

Thanks for that input. I agree that a good understanding of differences is helpful. Also agree that PTA intentions are good at the state and national level.

You stated that PTA may not be right choice, if you're only concerned about fundraising for your school. Agree with that, but would add one other twist: it also may not be right choice if your group thinks politics (especially state and national politics) aren't a fit for your group. Some groups feel that politics (which inevitably involves conflict and serous differences of opinion) can work against building community and parent involvement, which are priority goals for many groups.

I do agree that PTA is best choice for groups that feel advocacy/politics on the state and national level is an important element of their work.

Tim

I have to give the PTA credit also for being an effective voice about lobbying at the state level. We had an issue in Texas where the Office of the State Comptroller interpreted all fundraisers like cookie dough, giftwrap, candles were taxable, regardless of the org's tax exemption status. The PTA successfully fought to get a different ruling on that, which is saving every tax exempt group major dollars. We pay about 8.5% in sales tax. There have to be groups with clout who represent a wide variety of constituents to fight for those type of changes.

Tim, Agreed and thanks for you reply.

Politics are part of education policy at the local, state and national levels, that's just the way it is. Some may feel they can't change political tides or don't want to and that is fine. Others may have a burning passion to advocate for change or improvements and that may require political activism. [I actually got a bill introduced in CT this year which would allow for Non-Partisan Board's of Education. How ironic that political advocacy is needed to get rid of political Boards of Ed.!] When politically advocating, the resources of local, state and the national PTA can be extremely valuable. I can attest to this after having personally met the national PTA staff, a highly professional and well credentialed group (and yes, there is an expense to provide this staff).

In a nut shell, comparing the PTO and PTA, (which are both great and as I wrote earlier, I'm a member of both) are analogous to comparing apples to oranges. There is a purpose and place for both and one is not "better" than the other but is better for a certain group of people under certain circumstances at a certain place and time.

When I read posts arguing that one is better than the other, that tells me they really don't understand the true differences of each. Even "PTO vs. PTA" as a thread topic or "How can I convince other parents to change" pits one against the other. Is that really needed to be supportive of our public schools? Why not "PTO and PTA; understanding the differences and purposes of each". After all, at the end of the day aren't we all on the same team?

Keep up the great work!

Doug Newman
Guilford, CT, dougnewman676@gmail.com

FYI, check out the PTA's 2009 Public Policy Agenda.

http://www.pta.org/Documents/PTA_PublicPolicyPDF_final.pdf

PARENT INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

OPPORTUNITY AND EQUITY FOR ALL CHILDREN

CHILD HEALTH

If the PTA was not advocating for these issues in Washington D.C., who would be and where would the money come from to do so?

Doug Newman

One thing that I havn't seen presented as an argument besides the obvious financial benefit of PTO is the very fact that PTA is so political. There are several things that the PTA supports with our money that I do not agree with. For example, they are supporting the homosexual agenda in our schools sex education curriculum. They lobbied against the Bush tax cuts. Focus on the Family and Dr. James Dobson are activley apposed to the National PTA agenda because they see it as damaging to families. Do your own research, and confirm these findings, but even if you agree with them, is it right to require others who may not agree to fund these cawses while trying to support their local school district?

just a few links to help confirm what I referenced.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,26850,00.html

http://mommylife.net/archives/2006/08/the_pta_now_jus.html

www.aim.org/guest-column/naughty-nationa...wed-florida-chapter/

http://www.jamesmadison.org/pdf/materials/20.pdf

There's lots more where this came from...