The Politics of the PTA (New Studies in Social Policy)

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is one of our nation's largest and most respected organizations. Because of its size and influence, the PTA is often viewed as a key player in the formation of education policy. Mainstream coverage of the PTA and its activities reflects an assumption that it is a beneficent group of parents dedicated solely to the betterment of children and enhancement of our nation's public schools. In this groundbreaking new book. Charlene K. Haar assesses the PTA from a critical perspective and shows that these common perceptions of the organization are misguided. Haar surveys the organization's history and demonstrates its longstanding tendency to involve itself in issues of little or no relevance to education policy.