PTA: Chapters Must Adopt Our Policies

The Georgia Parent Teacher Association's unwavering opposition to a  could become problematic for the group.

"National PTA affiliates must adopt the mission and purposes of National PTA and operate in accordance with the policies and positions of the Association," spokesman James Martinez said Wednesday in an email to Canton-Sixes Patch. "The National PTA operates under a clear set of guidelines should an affiliate fail to comply with our National Standards of Affiliation."

The state chapter, which supports charter schools approved by local school boards, reaffirmed its stance Friday despite pressure from the national organization to come into compliance with a revised policy that extends support to charters approved by all authorizing bodies—not just local school boards.

The consequences for the Georgia PTA's stick-to-itiveness aren't yet clear.

"Things are fluid on this," Martinez said. The statement is "about as much as we can share on the topic for now."

National PTA Position Statement on Public Charter Schools

“For more than a decade National PTA has supported the appropriate inclusion of charter schools and our position remains constant. Recently, the National PTA Board of Directors voted to provide clarity to our Position Statement on Public Charter Schools by removing any prescriptive language regarding charter authorizers. National PTA supports authorizing bodies that provide quality controls and transparency in both authorizing and operating practices, whether state or local. Our position was amended to reflect both the changing national education reform landscape and to meet the needs of our more than 5 million members. National PTA affiliates must adopt the mission and purposes of National PTA and operate in accordance with the policies and positions of the Association. The National PTA operates under a clear set of guidelines should an affiliate fail to comply with our National Standards of Affiliation. As the oldest and largest child advocacy association in the United States, National PTA is committed to opportunity and equity for all children.”

James Martinez, senior manager of media and public relations

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