OK this was pondering my mind too
So here goes
No Child Left Behind Update Reauthorization 3/27/07
Student Privacy Protection Act 2005
Update USDA's School Nutrition Standards 2006


I got the info from these websites
opensecrets.org (lobbying site)
ncsl.org


Hope that helped with the info bit.

I am sure the PTA has the best intentions but I still don't want my money or the parents of the school's money going for something that may or may not be something I am in support of.

I'm very interested in the answer to Shawn's question reference the latest legislation passed after the PTAs lobbying efforts in DC....If anyone knows could you please post. I'm not against the idea of donating toward a cause that represents our children but am sometimes concerned that families don't understand the difference between PTO and PTA and may not be "briefed" on what they are actually supporting. Any recent (i.e. 2 years) legislation passed as a result of PTA lobbying would be appreciated...
d

ps--I tried to log onto a site for PTA information and boards similar to those here but it seems to benefit from the organization you have to be a member (I received several "ACCESS DENIED" postings). Are there boards I can use to share information as I do here so that "Every child" can benefit...and please leave the site name so I can continue to benefit from your organization.

This is an old issue, I mean how much does the 'common' school get out of their pta dues? Does the vast majority of pta members really get involved in that voice piece...it is just something that has been used for years by pta. I second Shawn that groups do things everyday for children, my district rewrote the parent involvement policy because of our group. I have a voice, I use mine in many ways and dont have to pay dues to do so!

Me, too

MY WIFE, Family and I plus our children are their Voices not some lobbying org masquerading as a relevant parenting group

I dont remember them asking to be my childs voice???

Every US Citizen has a voice most just dont know how to use it?

Plenty of groups (PTA's, PTO's, Boy Scouts, non profits) and communities get laws, education, etc changed for the greater good of children


To claim to be the Be ALL, Know- ALL, Only voice 4 ALL, Only good parent group (ie PTA) IS COMPLETE and Utter BS


(What's the last piece of legislation passed due to PTA??)

I am one of those parents. I don't assume that my $5 dues would make my voice heard but would rather pay for lobbyists to be heard. These lobbyists speak on behalf of the organization who pays them, not on behalf of each and every member of the organization. There is likely not a 100% consesus among the members so it's reasonable to believe that the lobbyists are actually speaking counter to some members' beliefs. Why pay for someone to work against you?

So it is, in my opinion, extremely arrogant for the PTA to boast about being a voice for ALL children when it really is impossible to claim such a thing. Perhaps they can find a better word for the A in their acronym?

Hi Megley -

To clarify for you, there is no organized political lobbying organization specifically for PTOs. That is one clear difference between PTOs and PTAs.

For many PTOs, that's actually a good thing. While you obviously (and it's a perfectly fair opinion) feel that an important role for school parent-teacher groups is lobbying, other folks believe that the political/lobbying function is best left out of the parent-teacher group, that goals like building community and building broad parent involvement and making the school a great place for teachers to teach and kids to learn can be harmed by mixing in the political.

Tim