Honor Societies

Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education, was founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois. Selection as a member of Kappa Delta Pi is based on high academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career, and a professional attitude that assures steady growth in the profession. Kappa Delta Pi is an honor society of, about, and for educators. The society has 60,000 active members (as of 2001) that include outstanding leaders in the KDP Laureate Chapter, National and State Teacher of the Year winners, American Teacher Award winners, National Teacher Hall of Fame members, and Chicago Golden Apple Teachers. Membership in Kappa Delta Pi signifies more than a well-deserved line on a résumé: Members have the responsibility as a recognized honor student and honored educator to maintain the high ideals of the society and to extend the society's influence. Attending chapter meetings, performing service projects, serving as an officer, and modeling the behaviors and attitudes appropriate to the honor bestowed upon members are ways to contribute to the profession. Kappa Delta Pi supports member development through a multitude of member services. Because teaching is a lifelong process and a worthy profession and career, members are urged to renew their membership annually. The society's goal is to provide resources and services at each phase of members' careers.

The society as a whole prospers, and its influence is felt, to the degree that individuals in the chapters develop both personally and professionally. Membership in Kappa Delta Pi involves both privileges and responsibilities. Persons elected to membership remain members for life; however, active membership is maintained through the payment of annual dues. An active member is invited to attend the meetings of the chapter into which he or she was initiated and the meeting of any other chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. Attendance at conferences and the biennial Convocation is also open to active members. Each member's name is recorded permanently at society headquarters, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, with the name of the initiating chapter. However, any member may become affiliated with any other chapter of the Society and, upon payment of local dues, enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership in that chapter.

Mission

Kappa Delta Pi is dedicated to scholarship and excellence in education. The Society is a community of scholars dedicated to the following ideals:

• Scholarship and excellence in education
• Development and dissemination of worthy educational ideals and practices
• Continuous professional growth and leadership of its diverse membership
• Inquiry and reflection on significant educational issues
• A high degree of professional fellowship

Membership Opportunities

The Kappa Delta Pi Educational Foundation and local chapters award more than $80,000 in scholarship monies to members each year. Kappa Delta Pi sponsors–with the Association of Teacher Educators–the National Student Teacher/Intern of the Year Award Program. It also sponsors–with the American Education Research Association–the Outstanding Young Researcher Award. In addition, the society presents awards to counselors and chapters for outstanding achievements.

Publications. The Kappa Delta Pi Record is a quarterly journal for all members. It features articles with practical strategies for learning and teaching. The New Teacher Advocate is a quarterly newsletter, judged best among U.S. association newsletters by the American Educational Press Association. It features topics and practical strategies important to preservice and beginning teachers. The Educational Forum is an award-winning quarterly scholarly journal containing critical analyses of issues and practices that are of great importance to the improvement of education and educators.

Conferences. The Kappa Delta Pi Convocation is a biennial conference at which Society business is conducted and professional development workshops are presented. Regional Leadership Forums are daylong training conferences for members to learn leadership and chapter-management skills.

In addition, worldwide study tours and teacher exchanges are offered each summer. Members may access up-to-date information on society activities, job postings, and information on current issues in education at the society's website.