National Association of Secondary School Principals

National Association of Secondary School Principals
Name	National Association of Secondary School Principals
Abbreviation	NASSP
Founded	1916
Headquarters	Reston, Virginia
Region served	United States
Membership	Principals, assistant principals, school leaders
Leader title	CEO

National Association of Secondary School Principals is a professional organization representing middle level and high school leaders in the United States, including principals, assistant principals, and emerging leaders. It engages with schools, districts, and national institutions to support leadership practice and student outcomes through programs, publications, and advocacy. NASSP collaborates with federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions to advance school leadership standards and professional learning.

History

Founded in 1916 amid Progressive Era reforms, the association developed alongside organizations such as National Education Association, American Association of School Administrators, and state-level associations like the California Teachers Association and New York State School Boards Association. Early leaders drew on models from Harvard Graduate School of Education and Teachers College, Columbia University while responding to legislation such as the Smith-Towner Act era debates and the expansion of public secondary schools influenced by figures like John Dewey and institutions like the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Mid-century collaborations connected NASSP with initiatives from the U.S. Department of Education and research from the National Science Foundation and American Psychological Association. During the civil rights era, NASSP intersected with policymaking around cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and programs like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In recent decades, the association has worked with organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Wallace Foundation, and universities such as Stanford University and University of Pennsylvania on leadership research and school reform.

Mission and Programs

NASSP’s mission emphasizes leadership development, equitable student access, and school improvement, aligning with standards promulgated by bodies like Council of Chief State School Officers and frameworks from National Association for Music Education collaborations. Core programs include middle level initiatives similar to practices advanced by Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and high school programs that coordinate with College Board and ACT, Inc. services. NASSP manages recognition programs akin to the Blue Ribbon Schools Program and operates leadership academies inspired by designs from Harvard Kennedy School executive education and models used by Teach For America alumni networks. It also partners with entities such as National PTA, Association for Middle Level Education, and research centers at University of Michigan to pilot interventions addressing chronic absenteeism, college and career readiness, and social-emotional learning.

Membership and Governance

Membership spans state affiliates, district leaders, and individual principals, mirroring structures used by National Association of Elementary School Principals, Association of School Business Officials International, and state school principal associations like Texas Association of School Administrators. Governance is overseen by an elected board and executive officers, with bylaws influenced by nonprofit practices seen at organizations like American Association of University Professors and oversight conducted in consultation with legal counsel from firms that have worked with Council of the Great City Schools. NASSP convenes annual conferences drawing speakers from institutions such as U.S. Department of Education, think tanks like Brookings Institution and American Enterprise Institute, and research groups including RAND Corporation. Committees include representatives from regional associations exemplified by Georgia School Superintendents Association and policy liaisons who coordinate with state departments such as the Florida Department of Education.

Professional Development and Publications

NASSP provides professional learning through workshops, online modules, and cohorts modeled on programs at Learning Forward and ASCD. It publishes journals and magazines that parallel scholarly outlets like Educational Leadership (magazine), reports produced with researchers from Johns Hopkins University and University of Chicago, and resource guides used by members in partnership with organizations such as McREL International and Consortium on Chicago School Research. Signature publications include leadership handbooks, case studies tied to research from Harvard Graduate School of Education and evaluation briefs similar to those issued by National Center for Education Statistics. NASSP also curates webinars featuring experts from Society for Research in Child Development, entrepreneurs from Khan Academy, and curriculum designers from College Board.

Advocacy and Policy Influence

NASSP advocates on federal and state education policy, submitting comments to the U.S. Department of Education and engaging with members of Congress including committees such as the United States House Committee on Education and Labor and the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Its policy positions intersect with legislation influenced by stakeholders like Every Student Succeeds Act architects, and it collaborates with coalitions including Council of Chief State School Officers and National School Boards Association on issues such as school safety, assessment, and educator shortage responses seen in states like California and Texas. NASSP files amicus briefs, partners with advocacy groups like Parents for Public Schools, and convenes policy forums featuring researchers from Brookings Institution and legal scholars from Georgetown University.

Awards and Recognition

NASSP administers awards and recognition programs that acknowledge school leadership excellence, comparable to honors such as the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program and fellowships offered by The Aspen Institute. Signature recognitions include principal and assistant principal awards, leadership fellowships with programmatic design resembling Gates Millennium Scholars and principal leadership networks linked to foundations like The Wallace Foundation. NASSP-affiliated accolades highlight innovation in areas promoted by groups such as EdCamp organizers, honor college- and career-ready practices connected to ACT, Inc., and celebrate middle level leadership modeled on standards from Association for Middle Level Education.

Category:Educational organizations based in the United States