Module 2 - Unit 2- Activity 2

School Governance
Observations on the workings of PTA/PTOs

Structure and Responsibilities

There are three main spheres of the National Parent Teacher Association: national, state,
and local (including school districts, individual schools, and communities). These three
spheres interact with each other in a horizontal and vertical way. In terms of sharing
information, advocacy, responsibility distribution, etc. exchanges are very lateral. The
integrity of the national organization really depends on the grassroots work done at the
local level, and their work and feedback have at least somewhat of an impact on policies

and other laws. (source need from video). There are also hierarchies found in all spheres,
and a general hierarchy of the association (3):
-

National PTA

STate PTAs

PTA Districts and Councils

Local PTA leaders

PTA Members

Non-Member Students/Parents/Families/Educators (those who benefit from the

PTA)

Because it is a non-profit organization, the local and state level associations cannot
oppose or contradict national policies, and must uphold and incorporate national
expectations into their respective spheres. They must also refrain from any sort or
partisan involvement or association. Additionally, each level (or sphere) or the NPTA has a
respected hierarchy, which is roughly similar to the following structure (6):
-

Representative of Upper Sphere (School-District Representative if involving

School-based hierarchy; State, if involving local; National, if involving state)

Level Organizer/Leader (President)

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Committee Leaders

Association Members

Volunteers

Roles of Members
All of the roles and responsibilities seem pretty straight forward and evenly distributed.
These responsibilities include note-taking, delegating, providing information from above
and relaying information back from below to relevant representatives and/or members,
etc. Teachers provide parents and other members with academic information about the
classrooms, curriculum, innovations, etc. The most diverse range of responsibilities
seems to be those of the members who interact directly with students. Apart from the
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previously mentioned managerial duties, teachers and counselors provide parents with
information and resources on how to support their students academically, behaviourally,
and emotionally. Parents plan activities, budget, arrange and organize non-member
volunteers, follow and implement advice given by teachers/counselors and home,
reach-out to underrepresented families of the community, etc.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Organization

The major thing I would criticize about the different meetings I observed was that they
are very traditional. Members sit for an hour while other members talk at them. While I
understand the importance of meeting, follow-up, and structure, I think this tradition
impedes parents and educators from being role models of 21st century skills for
students. In their presentation during a PTA meeting, Michelle Hall mentioned how
important modeling good reading habits and culture is (1), and I think this applies to
learning habits as well. Other weaknesses I would like to mention include the little
student involvement or incorporation of students ideas, and that members not allowed
to disagree with national policy (2).
Despite the more traditional structure of the meetings, a strength that I noticed was the
increasing accessibility to the meetings and to information on policy, educational and
family support. Being able to access all of these webinars on YouTube is sign that there is
a conscious effort to reach as many members as the community as possible. Other
strengths include grassroots power, community empowerment, community outreach (5)
and high-quality support for those who come in direct contact with students.

Importance of Materials
The most important materials I could observe were the presentations that were being
shown during the meetings. Members also occasionally pass out print-outs that contain
certain information, mostly as an option for those who wish to opt-out of the digital
version. Computers, projectors, cameras, etc. were used during the meetings by
numerous members (especially the secretary) to take notes. The most important aspect
was not the materials, however, but the tools used to share materials, such as social

media (to connect the members and share notes, upcoming activities, and other
reminders) and webinars.

Conclusions
Overall, I find PTAs and PTOs very valuable entities. Involving the entire community helps
the school obtain a well-rounded and diverse influence from a variety of ideas and
cultures. Parents also benefit by getting involved with the school because by
implementing any advice or suggestions that are also being implemented at school with
their children and by reinforcing it at home, they are ultimately getting the most out of
what the educational system as to offer their students. PTAs and PTOs also organize
social activities that also add to a students education that teach values such as giving
back to the community. I would like to start attending my schools PTA meetings to help
contribute, make more informed suggestions to parents of my students who need
support, and again be informed enough to encourage my students to participate more
actively in the activities put on by the PTA. Many of the leaders in the PTA are parents of
my 1st and 2nd grade students. Contacting them will help me take steps towards joining.

Sources:
1. Hall, M., & Jernigan, J. (Screenwriters). (2016, April 12).
PTA Meeting Lafayette
School District
[Video file]. Retrieved April 26, 2016, from

https://youtu.be/g43a1Af3WIQ?list=PLQbhj5I44_OWDdTpTarm_kMCSsDHnVToo
2. National PTA (Director). (2014, December 14).
PTA Advocacy 101
[Video file].
Retrieved April 26, 2016, from

https://youtu.be/vLpkiwMiGG4?list=PLQbhj5I44_OWDdTpTarm_kMCSsDHnVToo
3. National PTA (Director). (2015, December 14).
Families of Hispanic Students: What
is PTA & Why Should You Get Involved
[Video file]. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from

https://youtu.be/Mw_jApWd2Rw?list=PLQbhj5I44_OWDdTpTarm_kMCSsDHnVToo
4. Nigro, K. (Director). (2013, February 20).
Parent Teacher Organization Presentation
[Video file]. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from

https://youtu.be/aovKNMaAYDQ?list=PLQbhj5I44_OWDdTpTarm_kMCSsDHnVToo
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5. The West Valley PTO (Producer). (2015, September 16).

West Valley PTO Meeting Sept 16, 2015
[Video file]. Retrieved April 26, 2016, from

https://youtu.be/GHchQsTi-HU?list=PLQbhj5I44_OWDdTpTarm_kMCSsDHnVToo
6. York PTA (Director). (2015, April 18).
York PTA Meeting 04-07-2015
[Video file].
Retrieved April 26, 2016, from

https://youtu.be/QSSmQ9lULag?list=PLQbhj5I44_OWDdTpTarm_kMCSsDHnVToo