About PTA
The National Congress of Parents and Teachers (National PTA) is an educational organization that seeks to unite the forces of home, school, and community on behalf of children and youth. PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States, a not-for-profit organization of parents, educators, student, and other citizens active in their schools and communities. PTA is a leader in reminding our nation of its obligations to children.
Massachusetts PTA was organized in 1910 and incorporated in 1913. Massachusetts PTA has approximately 19,000 members in 119 local units throughout the state, which is divided into six regions, to better support and strengthen local PTAs. Each local PTA unit plans its programs and activities to meet the needs of children and youth in its own community.
Every PTA member is a member of their own local unit, the Massachusetts PTA and the National PTA. Membership is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth and who supports the Mission and Purposes of PTA.
The Massachusetts PTA provides a support network to local units and councils statwide through state and district PTA conferences, workshops, personalized schools of instruction, and numerous publications and materials.
Please join us in working for the education, health and safety of our children.
Types of PTA Units
Within PTA there are a number of organizational structures to better help fit your specific needs. These are:
PTA (Parent, Teacher Association): membership is comprised of parents, teachers and community members. These can be associated with a school, youth center, church, or community group.
PTSA (Parent, Teacher, Student Association): membership is comprised of students as well as paretns, teachers and community members. These can be associated with a school, youth center, church, or community group.
SEPTA (Special Education Parent, Teacher Association): membership is comprised of parents, teachers and community members that all have a specific focus on children with special needs and special education. These can be associated with a school, youth center, church, or community group.
Types of Membership
There are 2 types of membership available to you within PTA. You can belong to a Unit within a school or community organization or you can join the Cranberry Unit which is comprised of community members who are not currently asssociated with a school or other chartered group. If your school is not currently a chartered PTA any you would like to become a member of the MA PTA please visit our Cranberry Unit page here.
