Andy Coppinger

NASSP State Coordinator Report

As we undertake a new round of Strategic Planning and a review of our foundation documents in the Moultonborough School District, my home district, I find myself thinking once again about Beliefs, Goals, Mission Statements, Visions, and other guiding principles that guide our decision making.  This has led me to thinking about the NASSP and to do some research to review the principles that guide our national professional association.  In this report I will review for members what I found.  

The NASSP Mission Statement reads as follows:  

“The National Association of Secondary School Principals – the preeminent organization and the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders – provides its members with the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders.  

NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well-being of youth through its programs and student leadership services.  NASSP sponsors the National Honor Society, the National Junior Honor Society, and the National Association of Student Councils.”   In a nutshell, our mission is two-fold:  First, to be a voice and a resource for middle and high school administrators.  And second, to support the development of the youth who we serve.  

            In July, 2008 the NASSP Board of Directors adopted a new three-year plan to steer the Association’s fulfillment of its Mission.  This three-year plan identifies five goals, each with between four and six measurable objectives, to focus our efforts.  I won’t list each of the objectives here (they’re available on line at www.principals.org), but I thought it would be worthwhile to list the broader goals that drive our Association.  The Goals are as follows:  

1.       Increase the membership of NASSP.

2.       Enhance leadership growth opportunities for middle level and high school principals and assistant principals using a variety of media.

3.       Promote education policies that enhance middle level and high school leadership for student success.

4.       Expand and enhance student programs and their ability to serve student leaders and advisers.

5.       Enhance financial performance, organizational effectiveness, and governance.  

As you can see, the NASSP is a mission-driven organization that seeks to fulfill our two primary purposes through limited and strategic goals.  The Board of Directors and the NASSP staff work collaboratively to measure their performance against set standards, much as we must do in our schools.  The NASSP annual business meeting will be held at the NASSP Convention in San Diego at the end of February.  I will provide an update on our progress toward our goals in my next report.  

Other items worth exploring on the NASSP Website:  

-          Executive Director Gerry Tirozzi’s response to President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address.  

-          A description of new Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s background and a summary of some of his beliefs.  

-          The Principal’s Legislative Action Center (PLAC), a quick way to contact your Senators and Congressmen to advocate for NASSP supported legislation.  

-          A host of professional development opportunities and resources.