History and Purpose

HE National Education Association was or-

ganized in 1857 in Philadelphia by forty-
three forward-looking leaders from state teach-
ers associations. It now has more than 200,000
members drawn from all branches of the edu-
cational field—teachers, principals, supervisors,
superintendents, college and university presidents
and professors. It is a democratic voluntary or-
ganization of those engaged in educational work
and has become the national professional associa-
tion for teachers, corresponding to the American
Bar Association for lawyers and the American
Medical Association for doctors. Its purpose as
stated in the charter is:

To elevate the character and advance
the interests of the profession of teach-
ing and to promote the cause of edu-
cation in the United States.

The Association Works Through

Individual Members—More than 200,000 who
represent the Association in their local com-
munities and carry forward its program of
service in every section of the country.

Officers—For a list of these see pages 12-15.

Affiliated Units—48 state, 4 territorial, and
600 local teachers associations which cooperate
in the work of the national Association and are
represented by official delegates in the Repre-
sentative Assembly.

A Representative Assembly—1,500 delegates
from the affiliated associations. These are ap-
portioned according to their membership in the
national Association. (See page 6) The Assem-
bly meets annually during the week beginning
the last Sunday in June. The meetings are open

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