Frequently Asked Questions

The NYS PTA is currently compiling a list of frequently asked questions and answers to appear on this page. We hope that you will find them informative. If there is anything you would like to see on this page, please email us with your suggestions.

What’s the difference between PTAS and PTOS?

The New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc.® (NYS PTA)

PTAs are formally associated with both the state and national chapters of PTA, an organization founded in 1879.

Local New York PTAs pay dues of $3.50 per member, with $1.75 going to the state chapter and $1.75 going to the national branch. To remain "in good standing”, local PTAs must follow the bylaws of the state and national organizations, pay their membership dues and insurance payment. Local PTAs are self governing and bylaws and procedures help focus members on the mission of the organization. PTA is a volunteer, not-for-profit entity and no one receives a salary, not even the national or state president and their executive committees.

Parents opt to affiliate with a PTA because the network offers benefits, resources and training, and because the organization's national and state profile gives local parents a voice in national education policy debates. PTA has and is currently affected policy ranging from NCLB to IDEA to the State Education Department Family Involvement Policy to improved charter school legislation to early childhood initiatives to school lunch programs to adequate state aid for public schools. The NYS PTA and the NPTA volunteers speak every day for every child with one voice, continuing its one hundred and ten year advocacy effort to improve every child’s life.

Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO)

In recent decades, some parent organizations have opted to organize as PTOs. A PTO is a wholly local organization. It is not affiliated with, and not responsible to, any other organization. The only real advantage is that a PTO keeps its $3.50 per member. However, they are a for-profit entity and all resources are fee based and the business executives make large salaries.

Companies such as PTOtoday exist to provide fee-based benefits, resources and training to PTOs, but no PTO is obligated to seek outside assistance or abide by the bylaws of any other organization. PTOs tend to focus on the needs of local schools and do not get involved in national education policy debates.