How are the National PTA, Texas PTA, LISD Council of PTAs, and RIVER RIDGE PTAs related?


The PTA is a national organization. States have PTA organizations under the National PTA. Under the Texas PTA, there are Council PTAs. The River Ridge PTA is part of the LISD Council of PTAs.

Each level shares the same mission, but with somewhat different jobs. The National PTA (with the other levels) advocates for children and families at the federal level. 

The State PTA, with the Council and local PTAs, advocate for children and families at the state level. Many of the laws and policies relating to children and families that have been implemented were promoted by the PTA. The State PTA also helps local PTAs become established, develop bylaws, etc. The Texas PTA provides local PTAs in Texas (e.g., the RRDG PTA) with resources on recruiting members, implementing programs like Reflections, providing handbooks for the PTA board, etc.

The Council PTA provides the local (e.g., River Ridge) PTAs with more hands-on support. The LISD Council of PTAs provides LISD boards with the training required by the Texas PTA. They also coordinate council level scholarships and the LISD Clothes Closet and hold monthly meetings through which LISD boards can share ideas and suggestions.

The RRDG PTA focuses only on River Ridge. It provides 100% of the funds for field trips and assemblies. The RRDG PTA has also supplemented the school district's dollars by supplying the playground shade structure, donating instructional materials, and providing teacher enrichment. The PTA also provides volunteers to conduct the Spanish program, provide office assistance, complete teacher requests, act as Room Parents, etc. In addition, the RRDG PTA coordinates teacher appreciation activities and holds events that bring a sense of community to River Ridge, like RATTLERFEST, Family Game Night, Sock Hop, and Rattler Round-Up.

Part of the membership dues you pay when you join the PTA are paid to the State and National PTA. The rest of the funds generated by the RRDG PTA stay with River Ridge and directly impact your child and school.