Adopted May 1979 – Reviewed and deemed relevant April 2022 – Education Commission
California State PTA recognizes that “basic education” is an issue of continuing interest and that it has different meanings for various individuals and groups. The PTA believes that all children and youth have the responsibility and should have the opportunity to develop their abilities to their fullest potential. It is fundamental to PTA philosophy that the responsibility of the parent as the first teacher of the child must be recognized, encouraged and continually emphasized. It is essential that schools acknowledge the role of parents and consistently involve them at all levels of their children’s education.
PTA further believes it is essential that communities understand and agree upon the basic elements necessary for one to function as a contributing member in a free democratic society; and that these elements should interact and be relevant in a changing world. Schools need a balanced curriculum, clear standards for student achievement, qualified and competent teaching, and parents and community involvement.
When these are all present students should be able to:
- Develop and demonstrate competence in areas of reading, writing, oral communications, computation; in critical thinking skills and decision-making; and in the ability to apply these skills to all areas of knowledge and to the needs of day-to-day living;
- Develop and demonstrate an understanding in the areas of social studies, science, the arts, health, safety, foreign language, environmental needs, uses of technology, and the world of work;
- Develop an awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity;
- Develop an abiding sense of personal worth, sense of purpose and confidence in one’s own abilities; and
- Develop the skills for being a responsible and caring citizen.
California State PTA recognizes the need in today’s complex society for a support system for educating children and youth, a system in which schools play a major but not all-inclusive role. In order to provide a basic education for every young person, it is essential that parents, schools and communities cooperate in providing a total learning environment.
