Tim- The voice does vary state to state. I concede that at a state level, some may not be as blessed with involvement as California or Nevada. It may relate to the number of PTA units in that state(you had once said that the majority of MA's schools were PTO) So being from one of the blessed states, I could only realistically comment on what we are doing and what I know that national is doing.
You are absolutely correct. Leaders and members need to look at all the factors and decide which is best. I would never say if you aren't PTA, then you shouldn't be at all. I truly want to make this world a better place and parental involvement at any level will accomplish that.

I hadn't seen the Edweek post either until you referenced it. It does hail from 1994 and it does include statements from National PTA that they were going to work towards more involvement. I wasn't involved in PTA when it was published but the PTA I see today seems to have done a lot in that direction since that article was printed nearly 9 years ago.

I don't ever see a time where this debate will end. There are passionate people on both sides of the same coin. And as long as the core of it is children, none of us can really lose. Talk about your win-win situations.

Good post, Michelle. I had never seen the EdWeek piece before this morning. Found it interesting, just as I found your links interesting (I also hadn't seen that Great Schools link before). Thanks.

In my experience the strength/effectiveness/voice of PTA at state level varies significantly state-to-state. In strong PTA states where the general political winds blow left (California = best example), PTA is an active state voice. On the other hand, in my state of MA, for example, I've not once read of or seen a single example of PTA involvement in anything in Boston. The PTA voice is basically nonexistent.

I guess the two sides in this thread kind of add more fuel to the "there are two defensible sides to this debate" conclusion. Best thing is for leaders to decide on their group's goals and then choose the option that fits them best.

Tim

First off Cathie, I was not directing the questions so much to you but to the general population. You are right, most people are not like you. Many people don't have the time or the patience to sit and read through the many bills, some that never get discussed. It was not preaching. The question/topic was how important is the state and national PTA. Not whether or not PTA is better than PTO. I personally fight for many things when it comes to our government, and in those instances I am the lone voice without a group. I think that my opinion is important too but I have seen the difference in being the lone voice and being joined by many.
I have seen the many make a much bigger difference. Please don't take offense as I am sure that you are "ALWAYS, always for the kids!"

Tim- You have discussed fairness in many of the other posts, so really, to be fair...

On IDEA(Disabilities Act) from The Federal Ticker out of Washington DC
"National PTA and other education advocates are supporting mandatory funding to ensure that the program receives the full amount promised by Congress.- While this money would supplement, not supplant, funding for support services under ESEA, National PTA has concerns that this change would result in fewer program dollars for special education classroom services.-National PTA will remain actively involved in the reauthorization process, and will continue to report on IDEA as activities require."

From GreatSchools.net www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/wa/29/parent
"The Parent Teacher Association, or PTA , is a huge and very influential nationwide organization with state and local affiliates throughout the country. The national PTA is headquartered in Chicago and promotes parent involvement in school communities. It is also a powerful lobbying organization in state legislatures and in Washington, D.C., advocating on behalf of students and schools.

And from your own article PTO vs PTA
"Even today, the PTA’s lobbying branch in Washington, DC, is actively involved in working against school vouchers and fighting for increased federal education funding."-"Right or wrong, there’s no denying that the national PTA has had and still has a seat at the table in key educational debates."

Our activities in Washington DC are also listed here www.pta.org/ptawashington/news/dcnews/020913.asp#3

Interesting question, Janis. Some good reading material here from EdWeek (may require free registration):

www.edweek.com/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=04pta.h14&keywords=harp

Some highlights about PTA lobbying efforts:

"... With 6.7 million members (now just under 6 million -- ed.), the PTA is by far the nation's largest education association, dwarfing, for example the combined membership of the two national teacher's unions.

In reality, though, in the midst of an education-policy debate badly in need of a reasonable voice and credible mediator, the group is largely silent. State policymakers across the country confide that the PTA has nowhere near the clout of teachers' unions, school boards associations, and other education groups in influencing school funding, curriculum, and governance decisions. Washington insiders tend to agree."

And another:

"As the staff of the National PTA--today a $7 million-a-year (now $10 million -- ed.) operation based in Chicago--plans its centennial, many state policy officials and education observers can only marvel at how the group has become such a mainstay in American life without wielding more influence. "

And finally:

"...And, for the past decade, a high-level school-reform debate has sought to rethink the direction of public schools. Governors, legislators, educators, professors, philanthropists, business leaders, and U.S. Presidents have left their mark on the discussion. The PTA, meanwhile, could be termed missing in action."

This is the sort of "elephant in the corner" of the PTO v PTA discussion that isn't discussed much. In many debates, things often wind down to: "Well OK, maybe you're not getting enough locally, but we've got this powerful voice at the state capitol and in Washington." Well, actually, many feel that that voice isn't that effective.

Interesting.

Tim

I try so HARD not to get defensive when I read replies to my posts, sometimes I am more successful than others. YES - I know about the voucher being burried with a seemingly unrelated bill. YES - I read the bills that go to our State House and YES - I realize that I and my elected officials will not always see eye to eye on absolutely everything. I determine MY OWN priorities and determine how I will vote based upon which are my passions and how they relate to those of my elected officials.

What I also recognize is that not everyone is like me. Not everyone has the time or opportunity to keep up with these things. And everyone - GOD BLESS AMERICA - has a choice of whether to be PTA or PTO. I do feel that we are being preached to, however, that PTO is wrong and PTA is right. What I find awesome about this site is that all are welcome regardless of your affiliation to a parent group.

Tim - thanks for making that available to all of us.

Cathie- Thank you for your reply. I'm new to this whole PTA/PTO thing and I just assumed that there was strength in numbers when it comes to wanting changes from the government. It's nice to know that individual voices make a difference.