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CER Opinion and Analysis
The National PTA: Becoming Irrelevant?
By Jeanne Allen,
July 2002
Published in various newspapers, including Elizabeth News Record, New
Pittsburgh Courier, Madison Press (London, OH)
The National Parent Teacher Association — parent to thousands of state and school-based PTAs — has become increasingly irrelevant to the central issues of education that dominate dinner tables, boardrooms and state capitals. Once the central gathering point for parents to be substantially involved in making their schools better, the agenda of the National PTA is now decidedly non-educational, and reflects a defense of the status quo rather than a mission for change. In a nation where less than forty percent of all fourth graders can read and write at expected levels, and lack mastery of history, math and more, the PTA’s agenda is clearly irrelevant.
How do we know this? Besides the dozens of comments we receive weekly from parents who cannot find a local group that shares or works for their concerns, there is the PTA’s own recently held national conference, which is noteworthy for its lack of important topics.
We recently perused the website for the PTA's upcoming conference, and made the following observations concerning the many topics attendees will be discussing:
1. The number of workshops that will address sex education or drugs and alcohol: 4
2. The number of workshops that will address non-sex education or drug and alcohol curricular issues (for instance reading, math, English, history, woodshop, science, art, music, physical education, foreign language, geography, computer technology, etc.): 1
3. The number of workshops that will address how to manipulate the political system: 10
. Our favorite of the ten: "Why is PTA so Political?" The answer offered in the workshop description: "National PTA's core mission has been the same since its founding in 1897: to take a stand in protecting the rights of our nations children." Apparently not included among these rights -- the right to go to a school of choice, as evidenced by . . .4. The number of workshops to help parents take advantage of the right to seek choices as provided by the newest education law, the No Child Left Behind Act: 0.
Our observations then led to another category of topics: Workshops that Defy Categorization (might also be called "wacky"):
1. "’That's a Family!’ A Video for preventing Prejudice Through Diversity Education," described as: "Academy Award-winning Director Debra Chasnoff presents ‘That's a Family!,’ the new film for elementary schoolchildren about family diversity. A participatory discussion will give attendees the opportunity to think of new ways they can discuss diversity issues with children, thereby preventing prejudice and promoting safe schools for all."
A little research uncovered some of Chasnoff's other thoroughly educational films including: "It’s Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School," and; "’Choosing Children’: a ground-breaking documentary about lesbians becoming parents."
2. A two-part workshop, conducted twice during the conference: "’Developing A Sixth-Sense for Congress’: Through computer simulation, convention delegates assume the role of a first-term Congress member."
And the third wacky workshop:
3. "’No More Bummers’: As we all know, it only takes one bummer to ruin an entire PTA. This popular presentation educates and motivates anyone concerned with wellness and will help ward off the 'bummer' virus."
There is much more that the PTA is doing today that would make many mothers—certainly our mothers—cry. Maybe that’s why membership is down to 6.6 million from 12 million. Only corporate and foundation grants keep a national staff going.
Parents are finding other grassroots connections to help them make a difference in their child’s education. That’s an unfortunate but necessary rejection of the once-respected PTA.
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Jeanne Allen is president of the Center for Education Reform in Washington, D.C. The Center for Education Reform is a national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization providing support and guidance to individuals, community and civic groups, policymakers and others who are working to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. For further information, please call (202) 822-9000.