Mission and Purpose

The National PTA was created to meet a profound challenge: to better the lives of children. It continues to flourish because PTA has never lost sight of the goal to change the lives of children across our nation for the better. The beliefs on which PTA operates are stated in its Mission.

PTA Vision

Making every child's potential a reality.

PTA Mission. PTA is…

• 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.

PTA Values

• Collaboration: We work in partnership with a wide array if 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.

The Purposes of the PTA

• To promote the welfare of 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; and
• 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.

A PTA's Rights and Responsibilities

National PTA's Board of Directors has stated that all PTAs have certain organizational rights, as follows:

• To function as an independent, nonpartisan child advocacy group
• To seek enactment of policies and practices that protect children and youth
• To participate within school board policy in the setting of school goals and assist in the review of teaching materials
• To participate in making decisions affecting policies, rules, and regulations
• To meet with appropriate school officials to discuss matters of mutual concern affecting children

National PTA believes that all PTAs have the responsibility to do the following:

• To protect access to quality education for all children
• To seek information on policies, curricula, and laws that affect children
• To share accurate information with members and the school community
• To know, help, and interact with teachers and administrators
• To accept responsibilities willingly to assure that the PTA is strong and active
• To work both within PTA and the school in a constructive manner, maintaining respect for democratic procedures and a tolerance for the diversity of opinions
• To work in partnership with school professionals to determine appropriate programs and services
• To participate in making decisions affecting policies, rules, and regulations