What is a PA/PTA?
Parent Associations (PAs) are the main way for parents to get involved in their children’s schools. Parent Associations are school-based organizations open to all parents, foster parents, and legally appointed guardians of children currently attending a New York City public school.
If a PA decides to include teachers, parent members can elect to become a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).
Every PA/PTA should be representative of the parents within its school. This includes parents of special education students and English language learners, as well as students who are eligible for Title I, gifted and talented services, and magnet programs.
PA/PTAs’ roles in schools:
The PA/PTA helps parents become involved in their children’s education, share ideas, and enrich their school communities. While the specific roles of PA/PTAs vary, among their responsibilities are electing parent members to serve on School Leadership Teams and Community Education Councils, conducting outreach to get other parents involved in school life, and supporting school activities like Parent-Teacher Conferences, open houses, curriculum nights and District Family Day events. Each PA develops its own bylaws, elects officers, and holds regular meetings.
How do I join my school’s PA/PTA?
All parents are automatically members of their school’s PA/PTA.
Under State Education Law, Section 2590, every New York City public school is required to form a Parent Association. All PA/PTA bylaws must comply with the current Chancellor’s Regulation A-660.
Forms and Templates
PA Bylaws Template_Arabic PA Bylaws Template_Bengali PA Bylaws Template_Chinese
PA Bylaws Template Haitian Creole PA Bylaws Template_Russian PA Bylaws Template_Spanish PA Bylaws Template_Urdu
Proposed Budget Form
Fundraising Activity Report
Interim PA Financial Report
Annual PA Financial Report
PA Guide to Conducting Raffles
