From the beginning, when my children were barely out of pull-ups, I was a school-choice mom. Living in a rural area, surrounded by cows and NASCAR flags, I insisted on driving 45 minutes one way, every day, so my kids could attend a Jewish preschool. Despite massive headaches caused by northern drivers on vacation, I knew the learning environment provided by the JCC was best for my kids, building a strong foundation to support lifelong learning.
As preschool graduation neared, my husband and I chose an excellent, traditional public school for them to attend for their elementary years. This school was not located in our neighborhood and we couldn’t afford to move. But, because I was a teacher in that same district, I applied for the choice program and my children were accepted. It meant I had to transfer closer to home and still drive a half-hour out of my way, but I felt fortunate to place my children in a school that would meet their needs.
After leaving the teaching profession, I once again exercised my right to choose. We moved the kids into a private Jewish school for the rest of their elementary education. My husband and I had to live in a simpler neighborhood and forgo little luxuries, like fashionable shoes and date nights, to make it work, but our boys excelled in their new learning environment.
For middle school, our family moved yet again, prompting jokes that compared us to nomadic ancestors, and we applied for a magnet program. Once more, we were lucky. Our sons won the lottery and were accepted into a dynamic, academically rigorous program.
Who knows where we’ll end up for high school?
During these public school years, I’ve been a consistent PTSA member. Joining this organization seemed the best way to be involved in my children’s school. PTSA volunteers are dedicated parents, teachers, and students committed to helping schools raise needed funds that enhance learning opportunities. I joined to show my support for those who were educating my children, and to act as an important presence among teachers and administrators.
Over the years, though, I sadly watched the PTSA take positions that alienated moms like me, moms who choose. Sure, the organization is a presence at my sons’ middle school – they sell magnets for cars and snacks at sporting events. The PTSA agrees that magnets are a valid choice, but parents who choose other options are not represented by the PTSA and, worse yet, are regularly dismissed in alerts and agendas. I would often read PTSA literature and wonder out loud:
“Why is a parenting organization working against so many parents?”
But I’m not one to give up easily.
Last year, I ran for and was elected VP of Ways and Means of the PTSA at my sons’ school. At the time, I worked as an organizer for StudentsFirst. I knew the PTSA agenda aligned with teachers’ unions and school districts, but I also knew members of the PTSA who considered themselves choice parents, who valued an environment where all parents could be actively involved and choose the best options for their kids. The PTSA has a diverse and varied membership, with all kinds of views and opinions. So I decided to get elected and learn why their leadership resisted such diversity.
In the course of a year, I’ve read countless PTSA talking points, emails and legislative alerts. I’ve talked to parents who feel like they are invited to raise money, but not participate in issues and decisions that might truly impact their children’s learning. At the PTSA Florida Conference, I found myself surrounded by people wearing anti-parent trigger buttons who judged education reform policies based on the political parties of the adults, rather than the best interests of the kids.
In fact, the PTSA continues to distance itself from the growing number of parents and teachers who are making choices for their children outside the traditional system.
I left my position at StudentsFirst to work for Step Up For Students, and I continue to be committed to school choice. I also continue to be involved in my children’s school, organizing and planning a fundraising gala to raise money for grounds-keeping needs and technology in the classroom.
But I want to do more than simply raise money. I want to help parents who are seeking virtual, home, charter, and private school options, parents who want flexibility when certain options aren’t working for them, without being vilified in the process, and parents who want to organize and help turn around failing schools. Therefore, although I’ll stay on as a member, I will not be running for a second term as an officer with the PTSA.
Many dedicated PTSA volunteers continue to do what they can to help schools. The leadership unfortunately is too slow to recognize change is needed, and being demanded, by parents, teachers, and students. We will not go back to the days when parents had fewer options or were trapped by their zip code. Perhaps the PTSA needs a reminder that history moves forward, with or without them, as parents embrace the liberty that comes with quality choices.
What a loaded question. It reminds me of; do you still beat your wife?
What you, who works for the privatization movement call choice others call the dismantling of public education so people who don’t really care can make a buck. Most people think fixing our problems, many created and exacerbated by the pro choice movement, rather than taking a throwing the baby out with the bath water approach is the way to go.
After reading this piece it seems to me, rather than staying and helping to fix the problems in education, you decided quitting and making a fast buck was preferable.
Please explain HOW the PTSA alienates parents? I’ve been a member for 16 years. All I’ve ever experienced is their staunch support of what’s best for all children.
Your premise is greatly flawed using evidence that the PTA has grown significantly in the past few years.
If parents are alienated, as you allege, why are they joining in record numbers and paying dues?
Further, the PTSA is NOT affiliated with teacher’s unions and never have been. What in the world are you talking about? That appears to be another recklessly outlandish statement without supporting evidence.
Having held many PTA offices, including PTA President for four years, over the past decade and a half, I can state unequivocally that I’ve never witnessed alliance or allegiance or partnership with teacher’s unions. That premise is absurd.
I’ve held positions in 4 different schools. Neither the PTA nor PTSA is “affiliated” with teachers unions.
Prior to writing haphazard and erroneous allegations, you should check with other parents who have been in the system in multiple counties for many, many years. Many of us have been involved for the duration vs hopping in and out of public schools at various times. Perhaps you need to fact-check with those of us who have the sense of continuity.
Also, is it correct in stating that Step Up For Students is run by a corporate governance board and operates voucher/scholarship money for Florida students. (A noble cause for sure – but how is this a grassroots organization?)
Hi Ritamarie—Thanks for your comment. I am the president of Step Up For Students, and I wanted to address your question about corporate governance. I’ll let Catherine address your other concerns.
Both PTSA and SUFS are 501c3 nonprofit corporations that are governed by corporate boards of directors. In fact, all nonprofit corporations are governed by corporate boards of directors, as required by federal law and Internal Revenue Service policies.
SUFS does help administer Florida’s tax credit scholarship program for low-income children. This year we have about 51,000 low-income students attending 1,300 qualified private schools with the help of tax credit scholarships.
Doug
Hi Doug,
As you chose not to answer the question put forth by Ritamarie, I will put it to you once again: How is Step Up For Students (despite the complete altruistic nature of your organization) a “grassroots” organization? Your whole raison d’être is to dispense state money to private schools.
I might add another question (which may or may not go answered): How many of the for profit and or private schools are involved in SUFS either through monitary donations or through their governance boards?
Bryan
Hi Bryan—Thanks for your comment.
I’ve never consider the question of whether SUFS is a “grassroots organization,” so I looked up the definition and found that “grassroots” refers to organizations committed to local decision making and empowering individuals. According to Wikipedia, the term has its origins in the Populist movement of the early 1900s.
Given the mission of SUFS is to help low-income parents have more power over how their children are educated, we seem to fit the definition of a grassroots organization. You can’t get more local than the individual parent.
In your comment, you incorrectly asserted that our purpose is to “dispense money to private schools.” Low-income families apply to SUFS for scholarships, we process their applications and determine if they are sufficient poor to qualify, and we award scholarships to those who are. Parents may use our scholarships to pay for transportation to a public school in another district, or to pay tuition and fees at a private school. If no parents apply for scholarships, or none decide to use them to pay private school tuition and fees, then not a single dime would go to private schools. The parents control this decision.
We’re in the business of providing equal opportunity. We just want low-income families to have the same opportunities as more affluent families.
As to your last question, SUFS has no governance relationship with any schools, nor do we receive any financial contributions from any schools. This is all tightly regulated by state law.
I do have a question for you. About three years ago, the state PTSA president told me the Florida PTSA’s position on tax credit scholarships for low-income children is mandated by the national PTSA and they have no choice but to obey. Is this true?
Doug
I don’t look at this website much anymore but was surprised to see that that this organization hired Catherine Durkin Robinson. Just do some Google searching on her. Or maybe it’s all been scrubbed by now.
[…] One of those “contributing writers” touting credentials as one of those “leaders in the education reform movement” is Catherine Robinson. According to her bio Robinson came to Step Up for Students from Michelle Rhee’s StudentsFirst. She now is ”organizing parents for Step Up For Students.” In her space at redifED, she’s being critical of the PTA/PTSA. Robinson wrote this in a post titled Why is a Parenting Organization Working Against So Many Parents: […]
I am stunned that anyone could make the argument that parents have to have more choices. There are LOTS of ways to make choices in place without hijacking public school funds for what appears to be private education. Get involved with your child’s school. If you ever have, you know what a SAC committee is and a SITE committee. You sound like someone who really cares about their child’s education. How involved are you in your child’s school? The proposed laws that are being backed by corporate sponsors are great for parents who are asleep at the wheel and want someone else to make the decisions for them. Personally, I am an involved parent. You sent your children to private school. Mine go to public school and I am involved and very pleased with their education. You made your choice to go to private school. Privatizing public school does guarantee that underprivileged children will be accepted and they are often NOT accepted. I support the PTSA in their views. You made a choice for your kids. Other parents makes choices everyday too. A new law forcing a public funding of private schools is NOT what we need. Hope everything works out well with your kids.
[…] Why is a parenting organization working against so many parents … Over the years, though, I sadly watched the PTSA take positions that alienated moms like me, moms who choose. Sure, the organization is a presence at. […]