By contrast, National PTA requires local affiliates to collect dues for state and national operations that cannot be monitored at the local level. Some parents cannot pay or object to paying dues to have an active voice in their children's school. Unlike PTA affiliates, a PTO is free to consider no dues or exceptions of one kind or another. A PTO can also seek voluntary contributions sufficient to eliminate the need for mandatory dues. Unlike PTA affiliates, no national or state policies are imposed on PTOs.
Local parents determine all goals, activities and regulations.
Membership and participation requirements are often flexible in PTOs. Some may restrict participation to parents or to parents and guardians of children in that school, excluding teachers unless they are parents of children in the school. This assures that PTO leadership remains with parents who have children in the school. PTA affiliates include teachers who usually owe their loyalty to a union, and it's very difficult for parents to raise certain issues when union members are present. How to Get Out of the PTA To successfully disaffiliate from the National PTA, it's advisable for parents to prepare well in advance.