PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Local/State

Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

The Albany City Area Reading Council is a professional, not-for-profit organization for educators in the Capital Region concerned with improving literacy instruction and opportunities for all children and adults. ACARC seeks to: encourage the study of and interest in literacy, serve as a support and networking organization for educators, and sponsor professional development conferences and meetings for educators.

Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA)

The Capital Area School Development Association is a study council affiliated with the School of Education at The University at Albany, State University of New York. Incorporated in 1949 by the State Education Department of the University of the State of New York, CASDA is one of the oldest study councils in the United States. Currently there are 117 school districts and private institutions affiliated with CASDA. The fundamental purpose of CASDA is to serve as a cooperative planning and development unit through which affiliated schools and educational agencies may more effectively define and fulfill their purposes and functions in serving the educational needs of their communities. CASDA also strives to promote cooperative interaction between The University at Albany and the affiliated school districts. Personnel from CASDA member schools are able to attend staff development programs to develop their competence, motivation, awareness and understanding to the benefit of the schools, school districts, and students. CASDA and the Reading Department sponsor two literacy-related conferences each year, one focused on Pre-K/K and the other on Grades 1-12 (for details of the 2004-5 conferences, click here to view/download a PDF brochure)

Iroquois Reading Council (IRA)

The Iroquois Reading Council is a local affiliate of the International Reading Association, serving literacy educators north of the Capital District. It doesn't have a website, but for details of membership and meetings, contact: Bonnie M. Yanklowitz, President

97 Lamplighter Acres

Fort Edward, NY 12828

New York State English Council (NYSEC)
NYSEC is an organization dedicated to keeping New York State English Language Arts educators from pre-K through college in public and private schools informed, enthusiastic and unified. This affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English provides three publications to its membership and sponsors an annual conference in late October featuring nationally recognized speakers and authors.

New York State Reading Association (NYSRA)
The New York State Reading Association is an affiliate of the International Reading Association comprised of 43 local reading councils having a total membership of over 6,500 educators from across New York State. The organization includes classroom teachers, reading specialists, parents, college educators, and researchers. Each November, members from across the state come together at the annual conference. NYSRA has two publications (The Reading Scene, and The Language and Literacy Spectrum), acts as an advocate for literacy issues, and supports various committees that deal with a variety of issues.

National/International

American Educational Research Association (AERA)

The American Educational Research Association is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. AERA is the most prominent international professional organization with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. Its 20,000 members are educators; administrators; directors of research, testing or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies; counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists.The broad range of disciplines represented by the membership includes education, psychology, statistics, sociology, history, economics, philosophy, anthropology, and political science.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ACSD)

Founded in 1943, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) is an international, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents 160,000 educators from more than 135 countries and more than 60 affiliates. Our members span the entire profession of educators— superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, professors of education, and school board members. We address all aspects of effective teaching and learning—such as professional development, educational leadership, and capacity building. ASCD offers broad, multiple perspectives—across all education professions—in reporting key policies and practices. Because we represent all educators, we are able to focus solely on professional practice within the context of "Is it good for the children?" rather than what is reflective of a specific educator role. In short, ASCD reflects the conscience and content of education. We recently celebrated 60 years as one of the world's largest educational associations.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

The Council for Exceptional Children is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

International Association of School Librarianship (IASL)

The mission of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) is to provide an international forum for those people interested in promoting effective school library media programmes as viable instruments in the educational process. IASL also provides guidance and advice for the development of school library programmes and the school library profession. IASL works in cooperation with other professional associations and agencies. Membership is worldwide, and includes school librarians, teachers, librarians, library advisers, consultants, educational administrators, and others who are responsible for library and information services in schools. The membership also includes professors and instructors in universities and colleges where there are programmes for school librarians, and students who are undertaking such programmes.

International Reading Association (IRA)
The International Reading Association seeks to promote high levels of literacy for all by improving the quality of reading instruction through studying the reading process and teaching techniques; serving as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of reading research through conferences, journals, and other publications; and actively encouraging the lifetime reading habit.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the nation's largest and most influential organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for children from birth through third grade. Founded in 1926, NAEYC celebrated its 75th anniversary with over 100,000 members and a national network of nearly 450 local, state, and regional Affiliates. NAEYC Affiliate Groups work to improve professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education and to build public support for high quality early childhood programs.

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

An organization of parents, educators, other professionals and community leaders who unite to address the unique needs of children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents as well as those children who may be able to develop their talent potential with appropriate educational experiences.

National Council for the Social Studies

The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators. Founded in 1921, National Council for the Social Studies has grown to be the largest association in the country devoted solely to social studies education. NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and advocating social studies. Organized into a network of more than 110 affiliated state, local, and regional councils and associated groups, the NCSS membership represents K-12 classroom teachers, college and university faculty members, curriculum designers and specialists, social studies supervisors, and leaders in the various disciplines that constitute the social studies.

National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
The National Council of Teachers of English, the world's largest subject-matter educational association, is devoted to improving the teaching of English and the language arts at all levels of education.

National Reading Conference (NRC)
The National Reading Conference is a professional organization composed of individuals who share an interest in research and dissemination of information on literacy. NRC sponsors a conference each year during the first week in December.

Society for the Scientific Study of Reading