Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
PTA asks 'Parent Teacher Alliance,' a charter school political group, to change its name
The Parent Teacher Alliance has already spent $550,000 on advertising, phone banking and door-knocking in hopes of influencing the L.A. Unified race. Leaders of the California Parent Teacher Association want them to find another name.
(
City of L.A. Ethics Commission / Photo Illustration
)
In the midst of a contentious race for Los Angeles Unified School Board, some voters have gotten knocks at their door from pro-charter school canvassers introducing themselves as "volunteers with the Parent Teacher Alliance."
They're not volunteers for the well-known parent-run school fundraising organization, but for a group funded by the political affiliate of the California Charter Schools Association. The Parent Teacher Alliance has already spent $550,000 on advertising, phone banking and door-knocking in hopes of influencing the L.A. Unified race.
Leaders of the California Parent Teacher Association – the aforementioned parent-run school fundraising organization – want them to find another name.
This week, leaders of the National Parent Teacher Association sent a cease-and-desist letter to the charter association's political arm, CCSA Advocates, saying the use of "Parent Teacher Alliance" in political advertising is muddying the PTA's non-partisan brand.
Support for LAist comes from
The letter accuses CCSA Advocates of "false advertising and deceptive practices," according to a written statement from National PTA president Laura Bay.
It's the second time the Parent Teacher Association has made such a request.
In the 2016 statewide primary elections, the Parent Teacher Alliance PAC and other pro-charter groups were huge sources of outside spending in legislative races. After the June vote, leaders of the National Parent Teacher Association sent their first cease-and-desist letter to CCSA, noting the national group holds trademarks on both their name and the "PTA" acronym.
The pro-charter group stopped using the acronym officially, but has continued to use the "Parent Teacher Alliance" name in political communications.
CCSA Advocates leaders have not yet decided how to respond to the letter, according to spokesman Richard Garcia.
"We understand the PTA’s concerns and CCSA Advocates’ leadership is interested in meeting with representatives from the PTA so that we may discuss these concerns in person," Garcia said in a written statement.
Garcia's statement continued: "As two organizations committed to assisting parents and families in expressing their voices concerning public education for their children, our sincere hope is that we can find a mutually agreeable solution."
Support for LAist comes from
Neither the National PTA nor its state affiliates endorse candidates or weigh in on ballot issues.
But California PTA executive director Sherry Skelly Griffin said the name has caused confusion even among her group's membership. In an effort to tamp down that confusion, the state PTA has sent emails to its members drawing distinctions between it and the Parent Teacher Alliance and accusing the group of operating "under the false banner of our trademarked name and renowned reputation."
"It’s clearly a problem, and it’s one that unfortunately continues to escalate," Skelly Griffin said in an interview.
"Our goal," she added, "both at the California state PTA level and at the national level is to quickly and efficiently eradicate this confusion and put to rest that the PTA has somehow become involved in difficult, contested elections both at the state and local level."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist