THE OHIO PTA STORY
The Ohio PTA, a branch of the National PTA, is composed of over 90,000 members, 586 units and 41 councils in 15 districts. The Ohio PTA Board of Directors, includes executive committee, directors, district advisors and immediate past president. SOME OHIO PTA HIGHLIGHTS
1901 The fifth annual convention of the National Congress of Mothers was held in Columbus, Ohio and on t
hat occasion, those who had been called together from all over the state, organized the Ohio Branch.
1918 Ohio PTA endorsed the Teacher’s Pension and Retirement Law which passed by the state legislature.
1920’s 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.
1930’s Ohio PTA helped to organize the “Save Ohio Schools” committees and endorsed the School Foundation Program.
1940’s 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.
1950’s Honorary State Life Memberships were initiated. University workshops emphasizing parent education and leadership training were held in cooperation with six universities.
1960’s Ohio PTA took the leadership role in the formation of the Ohio Council for Education, a group of education organizations.
1970’s 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.
1980’s 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.
1990’s 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.
2001 Ohio PTA celebrates its 100th Anniversary.
2003 Restructured Ohio PTA Board of Managers
2005 Hosted 109th National PTA Convention in Columbus
2006 Ohio PTA celebrates 100th Convention and held first Spring Convention
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.
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
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.
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 imporant 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.
2013
Ohio PTA elected and installed its first African-American state president. Ohio PTA hosted the National PTA Convention in Cincinnati. Ohio PTA won the National PTA Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award.
2014
Ohio PTA awarded 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.
2015
The Ohio PTA The News became The Ohio PTA Voice, and was delivered electronically.
