American Education Week:  History

November 11–17, 2007

The National Education Association was one of the creators and original sponsors of American Education Week.

Distressed that 25 percent of the country's World War I draftees were illiterate and 9 percent were physically unfit, representatives of the NEA and the American Legion met in 1919 to seek ways to generate public support for education.

The conventions of both organizations subsequently adopted resolutions of support for a national effort to raise public awareness of the importance of education. In 1921, the NEA Representative Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa, called  for designation of one week each year to spotlight education. In its resolution, the NEA called for: "An educational week ... observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure the cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs."

The first observance of American Education Week occurred December 4-10, 1921, with the NEA and American Legion as the cosponsors. A year later, the then U.S. Office of Education joined the effort as a cosponsor, and the PTA followed in 1938.

Other cosponsors are the U.S. Department of Education and national organizations including the National PTA, the American Legion, the American Association of School Administrators, the National School Boards Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the American School Counselor Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National School Public Relations Association, the National Association of State Boards of Education, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

American Education Week is always celebrated the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving. The dates in 2007 are November 11-17: 

• Sunday, November 11: Student Leaders Day. Hundreds of future teachers will convene in Louisville, Ky., to participate in an American Education Week celebrationevent.
• Monday, November 12: National Kickoff Celebration. From national commemorations to local community events such as American Education Week house parties, millions of Americans will celebrate public education nationwide.
• Tuesday, November 13: Invite Parents to School Day. Schools will invite parents into the classroom for a hands-on experience of what the day is like for their child.
• Wednesday, November 14: Education Support Professionals Day. Individuals who provide invaluable services to schools are recognized for their outstanding work.
• Thursday, November 15: Educator for a Day. Community leaders will be invited to serve as educators to get a glimpse at a day in the life of a school employee.
• Friday, November 16: Substitute Educators Day. This day honors the educators who are called upon to replace regularly employed teachers.