About Ohio PTA
Organized in 1901, the Ohio PTA, a branch of the National PTA, is composed of over 48,000 members, 450 units and 39 councils in 12 districts. Our Board of Directors includes an executive committee, directors, district advisors, and immediate past president. All are volunteers!
Ohio PTA History
2016: Ohio PTA extended its technology reach with LinkedIn, a membership blog, Pinterest, and Instagram.
2015: The Ohio PTA publication, “The News”, became “The Ohio PTA Voice”, which became Ohio PTA’s first electronically delivered newletter.
2014: Ohio PTA presented the first Family-School Partnership Awards, given to members for taking advantage of training and engaging with family, school, and community. The Ohio PTA Male Involvement Committee presented the first M.A.C.K. (Male Action Changing Kids) Awards, funded by a grant from Allstate Insurance, for winning essays about how a male has positively influenced/changed students’ lives.
2013: Ohio PTA elected and installed its first African-American state PTA president. Ohio PTA hosted the National PTA Convention in Cincinnati. Ohio PTA won the National PTA Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award.
2011: Ohio PTA hosted its first Diversity & Inclusion Conference to help highlight the importance of including everyone in the education of children and the future of PTA in Ohio. Ohio PTA was recognized as the National PTA Advocacy Challenge winner for encouraging its members to advocate for important advocacy alerts to congress. Ohio PTA embraced social media as an important communication tool to its members and advocates by utilizing Facebook and Twitter to highlight activities and advocacy opportunities.
2010: With the help of a grant from National PTA, Ohio PTA began a campaign to help advocate for the implementation of and education of parents and community members about Common Core Standards.
2008: Ohio PTA and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office were co-sponsors of Mock Election, the opportunity for children grades K-12 to participate in the democratic process.
2007: Ohio PTA became involved in Getting It Right, a constitutional amendment proposing a high quality education as a fundamental right for all Ohio’s children through the implementation of a new school funding model.
2006: Ohio PTA celebrates 100th Convention and holds its first Spring Convention.
2005: Hosted 109th National PTA Convention in Columbus.
2003: Restructured Ohio PTA Board of Managers.
2001: Ohio PTA celebrates its 100th Anniversary.
1990s: Ohio PTA was instrumental in obtaining legislation which mandated that school districts develop policies for parent involvement in the schools. Ohio PTA initiated the Citizens Against Vouchers coalition comprised of nearly 30 organizations and individuals to oppose voucher proposals which would divert public funds to private schools. Ohio PTA hosted the Ohio Parent Involvement Summit for teams of educators, parents, business and community leaders.
1980s: Legislative concerns were collective bargaining and school funding. The “Come Back to School” project was launched through funding by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation to improve parent involvement. Big Cities Task Force began studying ways to build involvement in big cities.
1970s: The IRS officially classified Ohio PTA as a tax-exempt charitable organization. Ohio PTA published a report on “A Look at Public Funds for Nonpublic Schools,” a study of public monies which were being used for private schools in Ohio and the nation.
1960s: Ohio PTA took the leadership role in the formation of the Ohio Council for Education, a group of education organizations.
1950s: Ohio PTA took the leadership role in the formation of the Ohio Council for Education, a group of education organizations. Honorary State Life Memberships were initiated. University workshops emphasizing parent education and leadership training were held in cooperation with six universities.
1940s: PTA members worked to assist the war effort and the convention body authorized the purchase of a mobile canteen unit for the Red Cross. The Memorial Scholarship Program for teacher training was initiated and twenty-five $200 scholarships were awarded.
1930s: Ohio PTA helped to organize the “Save Ohio Schools” committees and endorsed the School Foundation Program.
1920s: Ohio PTA endorsed an amendment to the Being Law and state ratification of the National Child Labor Amendment; endorsed a bill that provided special classes for developmentally handicapped children. The Ohio Parent – Teacher became a monthly bulletin.
1918: Ohio PTA endorsed the Teacher’s Pension and Retirement Law which passed by the state legislature.
1901: The fifth annual convention of the National Congress of Mothers was held in Columbus, Ohio and on that occasion, those who had been called together from all over the state organized the Ohio Branch.
