National Association of Elementary School Principals

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) was founded in 1921 and is a professional organization that serves elementary and middle school principals, as well as other educational leaders throughout the United States, Canada, and worldwide. NAESP advocates for the support that principals need to be successful 21st century leaders (NAESP, n.d.a., “About”), as well as provide the support necessary for the achievement of the highest results from children, their families, and the communities that surround the schools. NAESP believes that every child should be the focus of the planning and operations in all elementary and middle schools and as such the principals in each school should be the primary catalyst for creating a foundation of learning, school and student performance, and should shape the long term impact of school improvement. NAESP seeks to serve as an advocate for children by ensuring their access to an excellent education by sustaining and promoting high professional standards and leadership among principals. The Association also looks to heighten public awareness of elementary and middle school education as the foundation for all future academic achievement by serving as a national representative for elementary and middle school education to Congress, the Executive Branch, state and federal agencies, the news media, researchers, educators, and other education and child advocacy groups. NAESP also seeks to serve as an advocate for the professional tenets and priorities of elementary and middle school principals, but above all NAESP seeks to ensure that education continues to be recognized as a matter of national priority.