ABSTRACT
The National Educational Association (NEA) is the largest group concerned broadly with the education of teachers and their practices in the United States. The NEA has far-reaching influence in the field of education. This is demonstrated by its investment in other organizations such as the National Board of Professional Teaching Practices (NBPTP) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The NEA has provided financial or advisory board support to these organizations. Parallel to the NEA would be the American Federation of Teachers. The American Federation of Teachers is firmly grounded with its roots in organized labor and remains active in promoting educational reform. Other associations that are also broadly concerned with the education of teachers would include the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Educators (AACTE) and the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE). Other teacher organizations such as the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the National Council of the Social Studies (NCSS), the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), are involved with a variety of subject matter in grades Pre-K through college. A third group of organizations is affiliated with national certification and accreditation of educational programs and schools. These would include the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
