Recommended Professional Organizations
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is an international organization that concerns itself with the complex issues of dyslexia. The IDA membership consists of a variety of professionals in partnership with people with dyslexia and their families. The IDA actively promotes effective teaching approaches and related clinical educational intervention strategies for people with dyslexia. We support and encourage interdisciplinary research. We facilitate the exploration of the causes and early identification of dyslexia and are committed to the responsible and wide dissemination of research based knowledge.
The International Literacy Association is a professional membership organization dedicated to promoting high levels of literacy for all by improving the quality of reading instruction, disseminating research and information about reading, and encouraging the lifetime reading habit. ILA members include classroom teachers, reading specialists, consultants, administrators, supervisors, university faculty, researchers, psychologists, librarians, media specialists, and parents.
Literacy Research Association - The Literacy Research Association is a professional organization for individuals who share an interest in research and the dissemination of information about literacy and literacy instruction.
RTI Action Network - The RTI Action Network is dedicated to the effective implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) in school districts nationwide. The goal is to guide educators and families in the large-scale implementation of RTI so that each child has access to quality instruction and that struggling students — including those with learning disabilities — are identified early and receive the necessary supports to be successful.
LD Online - LD OnLine is a national educational service of WETA-TV, the PBS station in Washington, D.C. More than 2.9 million school-age children in the United States – approximately five percent of the student population – are diagnosed with learning disabilities. Many more struggle in school but never receive a formal diagnosis. LD OnLine provides educators with accurate, authoritative information about learning disabilities so they can obtain the help they need.
Reading Rockets - Reading Rockets is a national public media literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.
Start with a Book - To ward off the learning loss that many children experience over the summer, Start with a Book offers parents, caregivers, summer program staff and librarians lots of engaging ideas for getting kids hooked on reading, exploring and learning all summer long — and beyond.
AASA - The School Superintendents Association was founded in 1865, is the professional organization for over 14,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children.
American Association of School Librarians - works to ensure that all members of the school library media field collaborate to provide leadership in the total education program, participate as active partners in the teaching/learning process, connect learners with ideas and information, and prepare students for life-long learning, informed decision-making, a love of reading, and the use of information technologies.
The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world.Founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the mission of ALA is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social, and career development so they achieve success in school and beyond. ASCA provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more than 31,000 professional school counselors.
The American Speech-Language Hearing Association is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 99,000 audiologists; speech-language pathologists; and speech, language, and hearing scientists. ASHA's mission is to ensure that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders have access to quality services to help them communicate more effectively.
ASCD - The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development is an international, nonprofit, nonpartisan education association committed to the mission of forging covenants in teaching and learning for the success of all learners. Founded in 1943, ASCD provides professional development in curriculum and supervision; initiates and supports activities to provide educational equity for all students; and serves as a world-class leader in education information services.
The National Association for Bilingual Education is the only professional organization at the national level wholly devoted to representing both English language learners and bilingual education professionals. Along with affiliate organizations in 23 states, NABE represents a combined membership of more than 20,000 bilingual and English-as-a-second-language teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, university professors and students, researchers, advocates, policymakers, and parents.
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.
National Association of Elementary School Principals - The mission of NAESP is to lead in the advocacy and support of elementary and middle level principals and other education leaders in their commitment to all children.
National Association of School Psychologists - The mission of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is to promote educationally and psychologically healthy environments for all children and youth by implementing research-based, effective programs that prevent problems, enhancing independence, and promoting optimal learning. This is further accomplished through state-of-the-art research and training, advocacy, ongoing program evaluation, and caring professional service.
