The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. The mission of NASSP is to promote excellence in school leadership and the association currently serves more than 27,000 members.[1]
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In existence since 1916, NASSP has recently undergone a branding makeover, designed to be more inclusive of all school leaders and signaling support of principals as they guide their leadership teams. The new logo returns to the initials NASSP and adopts the tagline “Leading Schools.” This change is the next step in the evolution of NASSP's longstanding support of principals and assistant principals. The association is now extending its support of the principal by providing resources and professional development for the whole leadership team.[2]
Through the association's publications, professional development opportunities, research, and persistence in advocating on behalf of school leaders, NASSP helps to advance middle level and high school education by promoting high professional standards, focusing attention on school leaders' challenges, providing a "national voice" for school leaders, building public confidence in education, strengthening the role of the principal as instructional leader, and publicizing the issues and interests of members in the news media.[3]
NASSP is recognized throughout the education community for its school reform programs that focus on the Breaking Ranks Framework. NASSP recognizes that there is no single model of effective school reform practice. The Breaking Ranks Framework emphasizes flexibility and adaptability to different school contexts and helps foster a customized solution unique to each school to improve student achievement from wherever they are. Student success is directly related to long-term school improvement efforts, so this framework is readily applicable to any grade level, K–12.[3] Below are NASSP’s Breaking Ranks texts.[4]
NASSP, with financial support from a number of partners, annually recognizes principals, assistant principals, schools, students, and advisers from across the country for their leadership and for making positive, significant differences in schools and communities.[5]
NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character and leadership development, and physical well-being of youth. The association founded and administers the following student leadership programs to further these goals.
The National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are the nation's leading organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character (and citizenship for NJHS). These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921 and 1929 NASSP is the parent organization for both NHS and NJHS.[6]
The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by NASSP in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.[7]
The National Association of Student Councils, sometimes called NASC, was established in 1931 with the goal of helping middle level and high school student councils become more effective organizations. NASC seeks to provide a valuable leadership partnership between students and their school. It creates the opportunity for students to become effective leaders, thus encouraging and influencing a positive school climate.
NASC is a program of NASSP. Its operation and administration are at the national office in Reston, VA. An Advisory Committee—whose membership includes students, advisers, and principals appointed by the NASSP Board of Directors—provides input and advice to NASC staff.
NASC seeks to promote civil service among students within the school and community. The organization provides leadership training for student council members and advisers.[8]
NASC joins with a variety of partners each year to recognize principals, assistant principals, schools, students, and advisers from across the country for their leadership and for making positive, significant differences in our schools and communities.[9]