4797 Hayes Road, Suite 102, Madison, WI 53704
Phone:  (608) 244-1455          Fax:  (608) 244-4785          Email:  wi_office@pta.org   





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As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) reminds
our country of its obligations to children and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on
behalf of every child while providing the best tools for parents to help their children be successful students.   
National PTA and all of the branches under them are a not-for-profit organization of parents, educators,
students, and other citizens who are active in their schools and communities. Membership in PTA is open to
anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

The Wisconsin PTA was founded June 7, 1910 by Agnes Betts of the Milwaukee/Waukesha area.  Our first
president was Mrs. R. J. Sullivan of Milwaukee.  Some of the early issues Wisconsin PTA was successful of
influencing in Wisconsin are:

  • Required Kindergarten
  • Required Teacher Certification
  • Literacy
  • Better movies for children/movie going habits of children
  • We are still going strong today!  Using our voice of almost
    25,000 members in 250 Local Units and Councils all over
    the state, we participate in and represent parents on
    advisory/educational councils & panels all over the state
    along with advocating the PTA objects and mission.

One of our main focuses is to support our local units and councils. We provide resources, training and
programs to all of our units.  This includes:

  • Hold a group tax exemption for our units and offer access to group rates on insurance for units
  • Support and advice on how to run an effective organization
  • Annual mailings of resources and help on a individual basis as needed
  • Help units problem solve when difficulties arise
  • Administer the National PTA Reflections Arts program for our units and hold a celebration for winning
    entrants.
  • Hold a Convention, Leadership & Legislative Conferences & give trainings and presentations on a local
    basis as well.
  • Give awards and honors for PTA volunteers, teachers, units and programs
  • Award 2 scholarships yearly to seniors of PTA high schools who are going into education
  • Publish a newsletter nine times a year
  • Each state president has up to four special projects which provide education to our members and
    promote advocacy in specific areas.

Our current main advocacy areas are:

  • School funding: We have been a member of the School Finance Network and have actively participated
    in the formation of a school funding reform plan and are now actively advocating for the passage of the
    associated bill in the legislature. We also advocate for full funding of mandated programs.
  • After school programs: We sit on the leadership team of the Wisconsin After school Network.
  • Parent Involvement: We know that having parents engaged in student learning increases achievement.
    We help and encourage our PTAs to become partners with their schools and to help the school engage
    all parents who have children there.
  • Closing the Achievement Gap: We advocate for increased parent engagement to help close the gap.
  • School nurses and school based health care: We advocate for a better nurse/student ratio and
    better trained school staff for improved handling of health issues during school hours.
  • Access to health insurance for all children: We've partnered with Badger Care to get the word out
    about its programs.   
  • Obesity prevention and health and fitness programs: Our annual Walk for Healthy Kids provides
    mini grants for health and wellness programs.
  • Substance abuse prevention, particularly awareness of inhalant abuse.

On the local level our units and councils partner with their schools to increase parent involvement and enhance
and expand the educational opportunity of all children in their community. They work to improve the health,
welfare and safety of all community members and to engage the community in the work of the schools. They
provide programs to help families overcome barriers of language, culture and poverty so that their children can
succeed in school and grow to be productive adults.

PTA Vision, mission & objects

About National PTA

Wisconsin PTA
Benefits









History of Wisconsin PTA

History of National PTA
Involve your PTA in Founders Day

We encourage your unit to celebrate PTA Founders Day and
share details and photos of your event with the WI PTA!

  • Click here to view photos of some Founders Day events.
  • Click here for a fun Founders Day Quiz!

Support the WI PTA with a donation greater than $100 and
your PTA is automatically entered in a raffle for one (1) free
registration to the WI PTA Annual Convention to be held in
April (over a $100 value!)

  • Click here for more information