We believe school leaders must not only encourage life-long learning in their schools, they must engage in it themselves.  State and national professional associations offer professional development courses, access to the latest research on school leadership, and a means of keeping school administrators abreast of the latest developments in education theory and debates surrounding important school issues.

Visit these associations for information and opportunities:

NASPAA
The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) was founded in 1970 and is a membership organization made up of university and college programs in public affairs, public policy, public administration, and nonprofit management. 

NJPSA – New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association   
The NJPSA is a professional association representing more than 7,000 school leaders in New Jersey that is dedicated to the improvement of the quality of teaching and learning in the State and provides professional development opportunities for its members.

ASCD – Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
The ASCD is a membership organization that develops programs and services that are essential for school leaders in the creation and maintaining of curriculum. The ASCD also advocates on behalf of public policies that promote equal opportunities to education. 

NASSP – National Association of Secondary School Principals   
The NASSP is an international membership association of middle school and high school principals and school leaders whose mission is to promote excellence in school leadership. The NASSP founded the National Honor Society, Junior Society, and Elementary Society. 

NAESP – National Association of Elementary School Principals
The NAESP is a national membership association of nearly 30,000 elementary and middle school principals that creates strong learning communities and helps principals lead through distributed leadership. 

NISL – National Institute for School Leadership  
The NISL offers school leaders the knowledge and skills required to lead instruction and curriculum and improve student achievement in their schools. Research-based professional development programs and job-embedded training draw on proven leadership techniques. 

AERA – American Educational Research Association                     
The AERA is an international professional organization with more than 26,000 members whose primary goal is the advancement of educational research and its practical application.