Charlene K. Haar, The Education Policy Institute
January 2003
In this new book, Charlene Haar of the Education Policy Institute chronicles the history of the National Parent-Teacher Association, tracing its transformation from the National Congress of Mothers in the 1870s to an organization dominated by teacher unions and involved in issues that have little or no relevance to children and student learning. Much of the book shows how the PTA has abandoned its role as an independent analyst of education policy and criticizes the political entity that it has become. Haar details the policies that prohibit local and state affiliates from challenging union positions on issues of concern to parents and describes the organization's extensive lobbying efforts at the state and federal level - efforts that often lead to a reduction in the role of parents in their children's education. Haar concludes that the National PTA "can neither stand up to teacher union interests nor fairly represent parental interests in improving their local schools. On the most fundamental of its tasks, the PTA has proven itself irrelevant." She recommends that frustrated parents set up independent parent-teacher organizations (PTOs) that will more effectively represent their interests. The book is available in paperback for $24.95. For ordering information, please see http://www.educationpolicy.org.
