As ASCD reflects on its past 60 years, the Association also is moving ahead toward future goals. Born as an offshoot of the National Education Association, ASCD has emerged as a mature leader, and its members continue to nurture educational growth.
Led by Executive Director Gene R. Carter since 1992, ASCD has evolved into a multifaceted organization. The Association's mission is to bring educators together "for the success of all learners." Reflecting on more than 10 years at ASCD, Carter says, "I have seen many changes in the world of education—for example, the increasing diversity of student populations and the need to mirror that diversity in education approaches and in the profession itself. ASCD continues to support the aspirations of educators and students throughout the world."
ASCD has positioned itself to be a world premier education association, notes Peyton Williams Jr., President for 2002–03. "The Association has established an unprecedented reputation of excellence in the education community because of its services, products, and publications, and its global perspective and reach," Williams says.
ASCD's continuous growth is perhaps most evident to long-time members who witnessed the organization's evolution and played a significant role in effecting change.
ASCD is "forever renewing," notes former President Marcia Knoll. "ASCD's Strategic Plan provides the framework for our ongoing renewal," says Diane Berreth, Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Planning. "The plan focuses us on teaching and learning and, ultimately, the success of our members and their students."
In the spirit of continuous improvement, the Association will embrace a new leadership structure at the close of the 2003 Annual Conference and Exhibit Show in San Francisco, Calif. Allan Dornseif, executive director of Florida ASCD, says the new governance structure "is going to help ASCD grow and move" in new directions. For example, the new Leadership Council is designed to cultivate influence and aid in developing positions on pivotal education issues.
Membership, too, has grown. Dornseif notes that ASCD had about 15,000 members when he joined in 1969, and it currently has more than 160,000 members.
"ASCD has grown in numbers, and it has also grown in quality," Dornseif says. "The range of membership, as well as the range of members' contributions, has changed dramatically."
Growing in Influence
Knoll, who was ASCD President in 1987–88, says an important factor in ASCD's growth has been the depth of its impact. "It's important to influence as many people as we possibly can," she says.
Lee Hay, President in 2000–01, agrees that ASCD's influence is spreading. "We are now advocates on behalf of issues that affect curriculum and instruction," he says. He attributes this increased clout to Carter's leadership. One of ASCD's goals under the current Strategic Plan is to "influence policies and practices that support quality teaching, learning, and leadership."
The Association's influence has spread internationally, too, Knoll points out; ASCD now draws members from 135 countries. The inclusion of international perspectives is "a wonderful way to look at educating the children of the world," she says.
Commitment to Diversity
ASCD's leaders have ensured that the Association is responsive to minority concerns as well. When Phil Robinson attended his first Annual Conference in the late 1960s, he was one of only a few African American participants. During his early involvement, he found the leadership structure showed "some tolerance but not sufficient aggressiveness" toward minority leadership, recalls Robinson, who was ASCD President in 1984–85. "I never ceased to try to raise the consciousness of people at ASCD regarding equity and minority participation."
Marcella Kysilka, an ASCD member since 1968 and associate editor of the Journal of Curriculum and Supervision, recalls the 1969 ASCD Annual Conference in Chicago, when black leaders interrupted the sessions to call attention to their concerns. "It really made people sit down and talk about issues of diversity," she said. "And ASCD survived. That speaks highly of the Association and its members."
The creation of guidelines for ASCD networks also improved access for minority and women's groups that were struggling to be recognized, Robinson says. "It equalized everything."
Focusing on Teachers
ASCD, which initially appealed to school administrators and curriculum specialists, now draws almost a quarter of its membership from classroom teachers. The Association has successfully influenced classroom practices, Knoll says, by highlighting "the tremendous work in the past decade on teaching and learning, and teaching for learning."
When Hay joined as a teacher 19 years ago, he says, ASCD was focused heavily on administrators. The welcoming of teachers "was a very positive change."
All members have benefited as a result, says Arthur Costa, ASCD President in 1988–89. "This change in membership makes it possible for educators at all levels of the profession to enter a dialogue, share their points of view, and learn as teams," he notes.
Tools of the Trade
"By illuminating issues, enhancing dialogue, and clarifying values through its programs and products, ASCD has provided a guiding light for educators," Costa says.
Several leaders noted that ASCD products help reach out to a broad education audience. "It's very exciting for me to watch the publications dominate the cutting edge of educational change," Robinson says. Dornseif agrees. "Educational Leadership is now an international journal accorded great respect," he says, adding that the range, breadth, depth, and scope of ASCD's print and electronic offerings are impressive.
In the future, ASCD must continue to find new ways to connect with younger educators, who are adept at working with the Internet, Hay says.
ASCD's exploration of technology has opened doors and fostered a more international focus, Robinson and Hay note. As students examine global influences, ASCD has an opportunity to promote understanding of world cultures and ethnic diversity, Robinson says.
The international exchange of ideas is important, says O.L. Davis, editor of ASCD's Journal of Curriculum and Supervision and ASCD President in 1982–83. He notes that even though the concerns in different parts of the world are not the same, we can learn from each other. By doing so, he says, "we can continue to change practice."
Recognition: Throughout the Year
There are several ways to be a part of ASCD's 60th anniversary. Whether you are cruising the ASCD Web site or browsing through a publication, just look for the anniversary logo to join the celebration.
On the ASCD home page (http://www.ascd.org), click on the anniversary logo to link to member reflections on ASCD's history and continuing legacy. You'll also want to view other 60th anniversary features and share your recollections with other members. ASCD print publications such as Educational Leadership, the Education Update newsletters, and SmartBrief will carry information throughout the year highlighting elements of ASCD's history.
At the Annual Conference and Exhibit Show in March, ASCD will announce the first-ever recipient of its Outstanding Young Educator Award, which salutes an emerging educational leader.
At ASCD headquarters in Alexandria, the library will display memorabilia collected over six decades. All year long, in many ways, ASCD invites you to celebrate 60 years of shared success in education.