The National PTA was founded in 1897 by Alice McClellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst as the National Congress of Mothers. In 1924, reflecting the increased number of fathers and teachers involved, the name was changed to the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. The organization's aims were to unite home, school and community in promoting the education, health, and safety of children, youth, and families.

Local PTA groups were active in several Montana towns as early as 1912. In 1914 these groups met as part of the Montana State Teacher's Association convention. The Montana Congress of Parents and Teachers held its first meeting in Butte on May 7, 1915. Local "circles" were formed around the state. By 1922 there were 1077 members in 20 local units. In 1927 a Board of Managers was established to coordinate the work of 5515 members in 91 local groups. Initially, conventions were held annually but from 1929 through World War II, the conventions were biennial. Annual conventions were resumed after the war. The first issue of the Bulletin was published in 1928 and has continued to the present under a variety of forms of the name.

As the organization matured it took on new roles and became very active as a lobbying group. Beginning in 1992, the Montana PTA recognized the important role of students in the organization by changing the name to the Montana Congress of Parents, Teachers and Students. The organization has always been known informally as Montana PTA.