What We Stand For

PTA is part of the fabric of the United States’ public-education system and a trusted partner to millions of parents, families, educators and community members, as it advocates for education, health and well-being of all children. PTA has been instrumental in establishing programs and services to improve children’s lives.

For more than 100 years, National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA®) has worked toward bettering the lives of every child in education, health and safety. Founded in 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst, National PTA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education.

Our founders represented women of imagination and courage. They had a simple idea—to improve the lives and future of all children. They understood the power of individual action, worked beyond the accepted barriers of their day, and took action to change the world for all children.  On Feb., 17, 1897, more than 2,000 people—mostly mothers, but also fathers, teachers, laborers and legislators—attended the first convocation of the National Congress of Mothers in Washington, D.C.  In 1908, the organization changed its name to the National Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teacher Associations. In 1970, the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (National PTA) and the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT)—founded by Selena Sloan Butler in Atlanta, Ga.—merged to serve all children.

Today’s PTA is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools.

As the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation, National PTA is the conscience of the country for children and youth issues. Through advocacy, as well as family and community education, National PTA has established programs and called for legislation that improves our children’s lives, such as:

Florida’s first local unit PTA was chartered in 1921 in Jacksonville, Florida.  In just two years Florida had enough local PTA units to establish a state association.  Since 1923 Florida PTA has supported millions of parents and families through its members, coalitions and partnerships and has a history of landmark advocacy.  Florida PTA continues to focus on social and educational programs that inspire an importance on family engagement in all schools and communities.

Recently, Florida PTA has been a force for change in bringing light to funding issues and ensuring that family engagement and community voice have a place at the table where funding decisions are made. PTA is building ways to ensure that family engagement is never overlooked and is providing training on its importance in and out of the classroom.

Florida PTA has made a profound difference in the lives of all children and families. Among the more the more recent issues that Florida PTA has taken on:

Join PTA and help us keep moving forward!  Together we will continue to be

With more than 275,000 members throughout Florida, we’re carrying our founders’ vision – and our children’s lives — into the future.

PTA is the premier legacy association for children, families, and education. PTA is invested in the whole child and advocates on their behalf.  Florida PTA reaches millions of parents and families through members, coalitions and partnerships and has a history of landmark advocacy.  PTA focuses on social and educational programs that inspire an importance on family engagement in all schools and communities.