PTA Organizational Structure

The National Congress of Parents and Teachers -- the National Parent-Teacher Association -- is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. Nearly 6.5 million people belong to this nonprofit, noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan organization. For over 100 years, PTA has been leading the way in improving the lives of America's children and youth.

Texas PTA, with a current membership over 630,000, is a branch of the National PTA. It is organized into 20 geographic areas, 93 councils and more than 2,600 local campus level PTAs. It is governed by a 26 member board of directors, with state headquarters at 408 West 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2113.

Area PTAs are geographic divisions of the state created to effectively further PTA work. There are 20 active Areas in Texas. Spring Branch Council belongs to Area 11 which includes 7 councils.

Council PTA is a link between district, state, national and local PTAs that serves to unify and strengthen (but not dictate) local units within the Council. Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs supports 38 local units.

The Local PTA is a self-governing unit that plans its programs and activities to meet the needs of children and youth in the community. It is at the Local level where the programs of service for children and youth are put into action.

In Spring Branch ISD, there are 34 PTAs:

• 23 elementary PTAs
• 6 middle school PTAs
• 1 combination PTA
• 3 high school PTAs
• 1 high school  PTSA

In Texas, students in grades 9-12 are allowed to join the PTA or PTSA as card-carrying, dues-paying members with voting privileges.