What's In the Name?

PTA - PTSA - PTO - PTC - PTF - HSA: all acronyms for parent and parent-teacher (and student) associations in schools and communities across the country. What's the difference? The PTA or National Congress of Parents and Teachers, established in 1897, is the oldest and largest child advocacy group working exclusively for children and youth. For more than one hundred years, the National PTA has promoted the education, health and safety of children and their families.

While the PTA is not the only parent-teacher (student) association working with our school communities today, it is the only membership association with a state and national support structure.

Acronyms:

• PTA - Parent Teacher Association
• PTSA - Parent-Teacher-Student Association
• PTC - Parent-Teacher Club
• PTO - Parent Teacher Organization
• PTF - Parent Teacher Fellowship
• HSA - Home School Association

The Tug-of-War over an "A" or an "O"

Comparing PTA and PTO is like comparing apples and oranges. Both groups work hard for children and their families, but your membership in a PTO isn't the same as membership in PTA.

Unified Effort

The National PTA is a non-profit association composed of 54 Congresses in eight geographical regions representing local units in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U. S. Virgin Islands, and American Department of Defense personnel and their families in Europe and the Pacific.

The National PTA is a network of over 23,094 local units ( more than 5.5 million members) sharing resources, ideas and projects. Generally established in school communities, the PTA can also be organized in places of business, child care facilities, or other non-school locations. It goes beyond the local community or school as many problems affecting children and youth cannot be solved by local action alone. There is strength in our numbers and the PTA has the clout to get the job done. PTOs, PTFs and HSAs or other parent organizations are solely school-based and do not provide the larger network.

Virginia PTA/PTSA

The Virginia PTA/PTSA, as one of fifty-four Congresses, is an integral part of the National PTA, serving as the liaison between the local unit and the National PTA, helping each to function effectively and to support and sustain the other.

While subject to the National PTA bylaws and policies, the Virginia PTA/PTSA is self-governing - a separate and independent entity as established by state bylaws. Likewise, the PTA at the local level is self-governing, linked to one another through the state and National PTA forming a nationwide network of adults working for all children and youth.

Working for all children in the Commonwealth and across the country, the Virginia PTA/PTSA offers many services and training opportunities to the local units to help establish local programs and projects that meet the needs of Virginia's youth, their families and communities.

Who Can Join

Membership is open to anyone who believes in the Mission and Purpose of the National PTA. The PTA is committed to being inclusive in its efforts to represent and assist all who nurture and educate children.