National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA)

National PTA, founded in 1897, is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. A not-for-profit organization of parents, educators, students, and other citizens active in their schools and communities, PTA is a leader in reminding our nation of its obligations to children. Membership in National PTA is open to anyone concerned with the education, health, and well-being of children and youth. Today National PTA has more than 6 million members belonging to approximately 26,000 local units organized in every state, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Department of Defense Schools in Europe and the Pacific.

National PTA Mission

• to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;
• to assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children; and
• to encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

Areas of Focus

Legislative directives of National PTA are approved annually by the National PTA Board of Directors. They are based on resolutions and position statements of the organization. The directives represent current legislative priorities of PTA and reflect children's issues expected to be on the upcoming year's congressional agenda.

Program Initiatives and Resources

National PTA works in collaboration with other national education, health, and child advocacy associations and federal agencies to develop and provide comprehensive programs and resources to local and state PTA members. National PTA addresses an array of issues important to parents nationally-including violence in schools, critical television viewing, and parent involvement in education-through participation at the national level on advisory boards and steering committees, attendance at conferences, and in partnership with other organizations.

Work Environment

National PTA staff conducts the work of the organization primarily in its national headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and in its satellite office in Washington, DC. A full-time employee is normally scheduled to work 37.5 hours per week.