National Council of Teachers of English

National Council of Teachers of English is a professional organization dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of English language and literature in United States schools, with members including Teachers College, Columbia University faculty, Harvard University researchers, and University of California, Berkeley educators. Founded in December 1911 by James Fleming Hosic, Fred Newton Scott, and other prominent English language educators, the organization has grown to include over 25,000 members, including National Education Association affiliates, American Federation of Teachers members, and International Literacy Association partners. The organization's mission is to promote literacy education, support teacher education, and advocate for language arts instruction, working with organizations like National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and National Science Teachers Association. With its headquarters in Urbana, Illinois, the organization serves as a resource for English language arts teachers, providing professional development opportunities, curriculum resources, and assessment tools, in collaboration with institutions like University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Michigan.

● History

The organization was established in response to the growing need for improved English language instruction in United States schools, with early supporters including John Dewey, William James, and other prominent educational psychologists. Throughout its history, the organization has played a significant role in shaping English language arts education, influencing the development of curriculum standards and assessment tools, and promoting literacy education initiatives, such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the Program for International Student Assessment. The organization has also been involved in various educational reform efforts, including the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act, working with organizations like National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers. Notable figures, such as Diane Ravitch, Deborah Meier, and Theodore Sizer, have contributed to the organization's mission, along with institutions like Stanford University, University of Chicago, and New York University.

● Organization

The organization is governed by a board of directors composed of educators, researchers, and administrators from United States schools and universities, including representatives from University of California, Los Angeles, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Wisconsin–Madison. The organization is divided into several committees and sections, each focusing on specific areas of English language arts education, such as literacy education, teacher education, and curriculum development, with partnerships with organizations like National Council on Teacher Quality and Teach For America. The organization also has a number of special interest groups, including the Conference on College Composition and Communication and the Two-Year College English Association, which work with institutions like Community College of Philadelphia and Miami Dade College. Additionally, the organization collaborates with other professional organizations, such as the Modern Language Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, to promote interdisciplinary education and STEM education.

● Publications

The organization publishes several journals and magazines, including College Composition and Communication, English Education, and Voices from the Middle, which feature articles by prominent educators and researchers, such as Gerald Graff, David Bartholomae, and Peter Elbow. The organization also publishes books and monographs on topics related to English language arts education, including curriculum development, assessment, and teacher education, with authors like Lisa Delpit, Gloria Ladson-Billings, and Sonia Nieto. Furthermore, the organization provides online resources and professional development opportunities for educators, including webinars, workshops, and conferences, in partnership with institutions like University of Pennsylvania and University of Southern California.

● Conferences_and_Initiatives

The organization hosts several conferences and workshops throughout the year, including the Annual Convention and the Conference on College Composition and Communication, which feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshop sessions on topics related to English language arts education, with speakers like Cornel West, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Toni Morrison. The organization also sponsors various initiatives and projects, such as the National Day on Writing and the Literacy Education Advocacy Project, which aim to promote literacy education and support teacher education, in collaboration with organizations like National Writing Project and Reading Is Fundamental. Additionally, the organization partners with other professional organizations, such as the International Literacy Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, to promote interdisciplinary education and STEM education.

● Advocacy_and_Policy

The organization is actively involved in advocacy and policy efforts related to English language arts education, working with organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers to promote educational reform and support teacher education. The organization has taken positions on various policy issues, including the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act, and has provided testimony to Congress on topics related to English language arts education, with support from institutions like Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley. The organization also collaborates with other professional organizations, such as the National Council on Teacher Quality and the Teach For America, to promote teacher education and educational leadership.

● Awards_and_Honors

The organization presents several awards and honors to recognize outstanding contributions to English language arts education, including the David H. Russell Award for Distinguished Research in the Teaching of English and the NCTE/SLATE National Intellectual Freedom Award, which have been awarded to prominent educators and researchers, such as James Paul Gee, Lisa Delpit, and Gloria Ladson-Billings. The organization also sponsors various scholarships and grants to support teacher education and research in English language arts education, with funding from organizations like National Endowment for the Humanities and National Science Foundation. Additionally, the organization recognizes outstanding teachers and educational leaders through its NCTE High School Teacher of Excellence Award and NCTE Middle Level Teacher of Excellence Award, with support from institutions like University of Michigan and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Category:Education organizations