The Arkansas Education Association was organized in 1869 to promote the cause of public education and the education profession in Arkansas. It merged in 1969 with the seventy-one year old Arkansas Teachers Association which was organized to represent the interests of African-American teachers and students in the fight for equal and better educational opportunity in Arkansas' racially segregated schools. In 1974, Arkansas Education Association members

Today the Arkansas Education Association is the state's largest and most influential organization of education and support professionals. The Arkansas Education Association remains committed to a quality public education for all children in Arkansas.

Our Vision, Mission and Core Values
We, the members of the Arkansas Education Association, are the voice of education professionals. Our work is fundamental to the state, and we accept the profound trust placed in us.

Our Vision
Our vision is a great public school for every student.

Our Mission
Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the state to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

Our Core Values
These principles guide our work and define our mission:

• Equal Opportunity
  We believe public education is the gateway to opportunity. All students have the human and civil right to a quality public education that develops their potential, independence, and character.
  
  
• A Just Society
  We believe public education is vital to building respect for the worth, dignity, and equality of every individual in our diverse society.
  
  
• Democracy
  We believe public education is the cornerstone of our republic. Public education provides individuals with the skills to be involved, informed, and engaged in our representative democracy.
  
  
• Professionalism
  We believe that the expertise and judgment of education professionals are critical to student success. We maintain the highest professional standards, and we expect the status, compensation, and respect due all professionals.
  
  
• Partnership
  We believe partnerships with parents, families, communities, and other stakeholders are essential to quality public education and student success.
  
  
• Collective Action
  We believe individuals are strengthened when they work together for the common good. As education professionals, we improve both our professional status and the quality of public education when we unite and advocate collectively.

Adopted by the Arkansas Education Association’s Representative Assembly in April 2007.

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