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Start a PTA

If you are considering starting a new PTA unit, we'd love to have you. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is the oldest and largest child advocacy association in the country! National PTA is 127 years old with millions of members, and Louisiana PTA is celebrating its 102nd year.

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What is the purpose of PTA? PTA was founded in 1897 and it is still a thriving child advocacy association with millions of members from a nationwide network of families united in their commitment to improving the education, health and safety of all children. Together, our members achieve our mission by volunteering every day in the schools for the students and teachers. Your PTA at the local level will carry out the PTA mission:  to help make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. 

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Are there different kinds of PTAs? There are two possible PTAs that you can establish. The typical "PTA" Parent Teacher Association) is for parents and teachers, or there is a "PTSA" (Parent Teacher Student Association) which integrates students to a great degree. The Louisiana PTA (LAPTA) is a state-level member of National PTA and has the authority to charter both PTAs and PTSAs.

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What is the Structure of PTA? Will my PTA be unique and self-run? All PTAs must have at least three officers (President, Treasurer, and Secretary) and adequate membership to successfully operate. Each Local Unit is set up as an independent private nonprofit organization according to the IRS with its own Federal EIN number. All PTAs in Louisiana are under the LAPTA group exemption with the IRS. LAPTA ensures that all PTAs remain compliant in all aspects of being a nonprofit. LAPTA provides training to help PTAs run effectively and legally. However, your PTA will make its own decisions for the needs of its school community. Membership also grants access to National PTA Programs and Grants.

There are minimal start-up fees for establishing a nonprofit. The first two expenses will need to be paid by someone before the PTA has its own money, but they can be reimbursed by the PTA later. Ask LAPTA about receiving the $500 Start Up Grant from LAPTA! 

  1. Getting the EIN (Employer Identification Number) with the IRS is free. There are sights that might try and get money from you for the EIN and the "501(c)(3)" status. Do not use them! LAPTA will share with you the correct site to get this.

  2. The Articles of Incorporation with Louisiana Secretary of State at Geauxbiz.com costs $75. Save $5 at check out by paying with a check.

  3. After dues are collected, the local PTA pays $3.50/person to Louisiana PTA in membership dues. Details on dues are at LouisianaPTA.org/membership. LAPTA forwards $2.25/person to National PTA and we retain $1.25/person. As of July 1, 2025, National PTA increased their dues to $3.25/person, so LAPTA will collect $4.50/person after July 1, 2025.​

Schools

  • Boost Parent Involvement: PTA programs facilitate collaboration among families, schools, and the community to support school improvement objectives.

  • PTA advocates. PTAs advocate for every child at all levels. Gain access to advocacy tools to support every child at your school.

  • Programs: PTA has complete programs great for Title I requirements or any event.  

  • Support & Resources: PTAs are networked nationally and give continual support to each PTA Unit. 

Teachers

  • Family Engagement: Access resources and grants to support family engagement.

  • Build Community: PTA provides more opportunities to connect with families and students to build strong school communities.

  • Programs: Encourage students to explore the arts through Reflections, the Nation’s oldest student arts program. Use PTA’s programs and apply for grants to engage families in safety, literacy, bullying prevention, digital safety, and STEM.

Students

  • Learn & Gain Experience: Students gain experience in leadership, advocacy, public speaking, teamwork, event planning.

  • Speak Up: Student voices inform the conversation to make positive improvements in their own education.

  • Lead: Students have a seat at the table with school decision-makers including parents, school leaders, and community members.

  • Influence: Work with their PTA to plan student programs and meet student needs. 

Families

  • Get Connected & Trained: Know what’s happening in the school and network with parents and teachers. Access high quality leadership training.

  • Discover Great Resources: PTA offers a variety of programs for parents and students.

  • Speak Up: PTA can be a way for parents to be more effectively engaged at their child’s school.

  • Be a Role Model: Demonstrate to children the importance of education.

Whether you are a parent, caregiver, school official or community leader, starting a PTA in your community is easy! Each local PTA is a member-led and member-run independent association providing programs, activities, and services to support its members and community. All PTAs are established to achieve PTA’s mission and must comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Local PTAs are connected to Louisiana PTA and National PTA. These connections form a nationwide network of millions of members working on behalf of all children and youth.

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Would you like to start a PTA at your school? We'd be honored to talk to you about what PTA has to offer and how to get a new PTA established. Louisiana PTA (LAPTA) assists with organizing new PTA Units who are an independent nonprofit, established in accordance with state and federal laws, and are affiliated with LAPTA and National PTA. The process is unique for each unit. LAPTA will help along the way. The principal will need to complete the Memorandum of Understanding with LAPTA. 

Benefits of PTA

  • Leverage Volunteer Power. PTA organizes hard-working, dedicated volunteers who can help implement school improvement programs.

  • Improve Communication. PTAs frequently publish a school newsletter and information fliers, keeping the entire school community informed of current events, issues, and accomplishments. Regular meetings allow PTAs to share information with members.

  • See Measurable Results. More than 85 research studies conducted over the past 30 years prove that kids do better when parents are involved. Grades are higher. Test scores improve. Attendance increases.

  • Discover More Dollars. Local PTAs are self-funding. By inviting the entire community to join, they generate membership fees and can hold fundraisers to support PTA programs and educational events.

  • Tap Into Proven Programs. Local PTAs have access to ready-made, easy-to-use programs with proven success records. From health and safety topics, to collaborating with teachers and community members, to fundraising, the programs get results.

  • Boost Children’s Well-Being. PTAs focus on what students need to be successful in their learning, including nutrition, health, school safety, physical fitness, and general well-being. PTA works with schools to ensure that children succeed.

  • Enjoy Informed Parents. Involved parents understand the challenges schools face and become part of the solution. Developing closer relationships with parents leads to a positive reputation in the community and more.

  • Fulfill ESSA Obligations. PTAs can help schools fulfill the parent involvement requirement of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Louisiana PTA's Continued Support​

  • Governance. All PTAs in Louisiana are organized under a Bylaws Template. Annual reporting under Active Affiliation helps maintain your PTA’s tax-exempt status as well as eligibility for grants, student contests, programs, and awards. 

  • Community Participation & Membership. All members of the school community are welcome to participate in events and meetings. PTAs work to support all children and the entire school community. However, when it comes time to elect officers and vote on the budget or other matters placed before membership, you must be a member to vote. Every person who joins PTA automatically becomes a member of Louisiana PTA and National PTA. Annual membership dues are determined by the members of each PTA and include LAPTA dues of $1.25 and National PTA dues of $2.25 which are collected and paid by your PTA.

  • Ongoing Training. Louisiana PTA and National PTA provide on-going training, sample templates, and resources so your volunteers can feel confident in the basics of running a strong PTA.

  • Collaboration & Advocacy. As a member of Louisiana PTA, volunteers may participate in roundtables and events to share ideas and best practices with other PTA leaders. Our shared mission and focus on family engagement in schools helps volunteers find community and support for their work. Shared conversation also helps identify resource gaps or areas of concern across our schools that may require a change in policies, funding or legislation to better support family engagement and the education, physical and mental health, welfare, and safety of children and youth. Our statewide advocacy program provides PTAs and their members with tools to advocate for improved resources to support students.

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