In the United States a PTA, Parent Teacher Association, is a formal organization that consists of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a public or private school. Most public and private K-8 schools in the U.S. have a PTA, a Parent Teacher Organization or an equivalent local organization. At the local level, the goal of all parent-teacher groups is to support their schools, encourage parent involvement, support teachers, and organize family events.