7.3 Professional organizations Types
In America, professional organizations of Teacners have three types
1. State Education Associations
2. Local Education Associations
3. World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP)
1. State Education Associations
State education associations have been chiefly responsible for almost every gain in public education which has resulted from legal enactments. There are, of course, exceptions to his generalization.State education associations have led in efforts to secure adequate financial support, to bring about larger administrative school units, to institute equalization of educational opportunity, and to obtain teacher welfare provisions. They have served as effective instruments of professional growth of their members. State education associations speak for the organized profession before the state legislature, state departments of education, and meetings of lay organizations; they defend their members against unjust dismissals or unfair treatment; and they present viewpoints of the profession to the people.
The first state education association was organized in Alabama in 1840. Since that time all other states have organized such an association---the last one to do so having been Delaware in 1919. In 1955 the total membership of teachers in state and territorial associations was slightly more than 1 million about 90 percent of the total number of teachers employed.The state associations are usually affiliates of the National Education Association. Statewide meetings of these associations are generally of three types:
1. Those for all members who wish to attend(14 states)
2. Those for member of the delegate body and any other members who wish to attend (13 states)
3. Those exclusively for elected delegates (7 states)
Several states hold annual district conventions which all members may attend.
The overall policy organization of the state association is usually a delegate body which meets annually and upon special call of the officers of the association. While much of the work is done by committees, the delegate body usually sets policy, approves resolutions, suggests constitutional changes, nominates officers, and carries on the business of the association. The work of the organization between meetings of the delegate body is usually carried on by an executive committee with an executive secretary directly responsible for administering the program.The services of state associations usually include:
4.The publication of a professional journal, newsletters, legislative and other bulletins
5. Making available the results of educational research
6. Providing field and public relations services for the membership, such such as help on salary scheduling, leadership training, radio and television programs, and many others
7. Teacher placement services--- in a few states
8. Legislative research and services are provided at the state and national levels
2. Local Education Associations
Local education associations are the oldest of the three levels of teacher organization. Often spoken of as the grassroots" unit it is in many respects the most effective of all three-local, state, and national. It is here that each teacher gets an opportunity to be heard; it is here that the voice of education gets its freest expression; and it is here that professional leadership is first recognized and developed.The National Commission on Teacher Education and Professional Standards list six types of "local associations":
9. Those units which include all teachers in a small school district or in a city school district that includes all teachers employed by one school board
10. Those units including teachers with common interests in a city school district
11. Units including all the teachers in a country
12. Units including the teachers in a district, region,or zone of the state
13. Units including faculty members of a college
14. Those units made up of members of a high school
FTA club or a college student education association chapter Local associations usually are organized with a constitution and bylaws, a president, and a secretary- treasurer---much the same as a state association. They ordinarily charge membership dues to obtain funds for operation. They have a number of committees which correspond to those on the state and national levels.The purposes of local associations are:
- To provide teachers with a medium for the study of their own problems
- To provide a means for the exchange of ideas among teachers
- To develop common aims and staff morale
- To provide a medium by which teachers are enabled to participate in the formation of policies for the local school system
- To provide opportunities for self-development and the exercise of initiative and leadership
- To provide a means for the improvement of the professional, economic, social, and civic status of teachers.
- To help improve classroom procedures
- . To promote cooperation for the improvement of the community and school
- To stimulate professional enthusiasm, initiative,and spirit
- To provide a local organization to support and influence state and national programs
- To foster a spirit of fellowship among members. thru social and recreational activities
- To help in the orientation of the beginning teacher
Local associations sponsor a variety of activities which are concerned with the professional and cultural betterment of teachers, the social enjoyment of teachers, or the improvement of professional standards of teaching. For the most part these local associations are affiliated with the state association.
Certainly, the program and the benefits obtained by teachers improved when there is direct relationship between the local and the state units. Direct affiliation between state and are local associations is the means by which the individual teacher can participate in the formulation of state and national educational policy.
3.World Confederation of Organization of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP).
A series of annual conferences concerned with the problem of education for international understanding were held in various countries of the World from 1946 to 1952. Held at Endicott, New York (1946); Glasgow, Scotland (1947); London, England (1948); Berne, Switzerland (1949); Ottawa, Canada (1950); Malta (1951); and Copenhagen, Denmark (1952); these conferences culminated in the organization of the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP) on August 1, 1952.
The Confederation attempts to gather into its organization professional teachers from all stages of education in an attempt to get them to exert an important influence upon education constituent organizations the Confederation proposes:
1. To foster a conception of education directed toward the promotion of internationa understanding and good will, with a view to safeguarding peace and freedom and respect. fo human dignity
2. To improve teaching methods educationa organization, and the academic and profession training of teachers so as to equip them better serve the interests of youth
3. To defend the rights and the material and mo interests of the teaching profession
4. To promote closer relationships between teach in the different countries.