Welcome to the California State PTA (Parents Teachers Association) website. We are the oldest and largest statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to working on behalf of issues that affect children and families. Our membership is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health and welfare of children and families.

PTA was founded by volunteers in 1897 and remains today a strong non-partisan and non-commercial voice for children and families.

We believe:

• Every adult has a responsibility to ensure that all children have the opportunity to develop to their full potential
• Parents/guardians are children's first teachers
• Family involvement is essential throughout a child's educational experience
• Family is the basic unit of society responsible for the support and nurturing of all children
• Family may be defined in many ways
• Our collective responsibility includes advocating for the safety, welfare and the opportunity for quality public education for all children

The California State PTA provides an annual convention where representative volunteer members throughout the state set policies and directives to guide our organization. We provide financial guidance, secure insurance coverage, and provide multiple training opportunities and supportive resources to ensure each PTA is successful. Training is also provided by representatives of the California State Board of Mangers traveling to the PTA districts and providing training programs at no cost to the district PTA. In addition, each district PTA is assigned a state volunteer to provide ongoing and continuous support.

The work of the California State PTA, a branch of the National PTA, is carried out by a volunteer Board of Managers whose membership includes elected and appointed officers, district PTA presidents, commissioners (statewide representation), legislative advocates and consultants, all of whom are volunteers. Their work is accomplished through representation on nine commissions and 17 standing and special committees.

California State PTA members also serve on many statewide taskforces convened through the Governor’s office, Department of Education, Department of Health Services, Art Alliances and California Education Coalition. PTA provides parents, guardians, and community members with a powerful voice of 1 million volunteer members who speak on behalf of the health, education and welfare of every child in California. Please join with us in our effort by adding your voice by contacting your local PTA or by contacting leadership@capta.org.

Pam Brady
California State PTA President, 2007–2009
everychild.onevoice

Many of the materials in this Web site are available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The Acrobat reader is a free download from Adobe Software.