Delaware Association of School Administrators
Service.Leadership.Collaboration.
The Delaware Association of School Administrators is the professional organization that represents school administrators in the state of Delaware. DASA’s mission is to advance education through service, leadership, and collaboration. DASA has an elected Executive Board consisting of a President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, and Treasurer. DASA has within its overall organizational structure departments organized by special interests in school administration. Departments include: Chief School Officers, Curriculum and Supervision, School Business Officials, Delaware School Nutrition Supervisors, Delaware School Principals, Special Programs Administrators, School Personnel Administrators, and Emeritus Administrators. Each Department elects officers and holds meetings at its pleasure. DASA also has committees that work to meet the needs of the organization and its members. Committees include: Board of Directors, Audit, Constitution Review, Finance, Legislative, Membership, Nominating, and Professional Development. DASA members are also called upon to serve on committees for the Department of Education, Governor’s Office, Delaware Legislatures, and other state agencies, non-profit organizations and education related organizations.
Why join DASA?
- DASA provides an active, definitive voice in the legislative and political processes by ensuring that its membership’s viewpoint is presented clearly and credibly. DASA works directly with policy makers, related interest organizations, and legislators to assure that the voice of school administrators is heard. In the first session of the 149th General Assembly approximately 50 Bills related to education were introduced. DASA tracks these Bills and addresses them based on member feedback. Feedback is done through the various DASA departments. This year DASA worked to introduce two important Bills related to teacher recruitment and retention, HS 1 for HB 143 w/HA 1 and HB 193. DASA has also worked closely with legislators and state officials regarding budget issues. DASA’s presence at legislative hall is critical to protecting our education priorities.
- DASA members and the Executive Director are appointed to a variety of state standing and ad hoc committees, representing the membership and assuring that membership interests are upheld. Our work on these committees keeps DASA at the forefront on educational issues and policy making. Critical committee involvement this year has been with Delaware’s ESSA Plan, Professional Standards Board, Delaware Student Success Framework, and DPAS II Advisory Committee. The Executive Director and Department Officers are often called upon to provide input to the DOE regarding a variety of topics.
- DASA provides a network of collaboration with school administrators across the state. The level of expertise and experience in the organization gives immediate access to members who have issues where help and advice is needed. The Executive Director, who has 19 years of administrative experience at the elementary, middle, high school and central office levels, is available for consult as needed by members.
- DASA provides professional development opportunities that are current with best practice and meet the needs of the membership. These professional learning opportunities include nationally acclaimed speakers and book authors, state experts in specialized education areas, DASA members who have created and/or implemented best practices successfully, and the annual Policy and Practice Institute which is in partnership with the University of Delaware. DASA has planned four professional development opportunities for the 2017-2018 school year. DASA members receive a reduced registration rate for these sessions.
- DASA is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and American Association of School Administrators. These organizations represent DASA members at the national level and provide a team of experts to support DASA’s mission.
- DASA cosponsors administrator awards including: Secondary Principal of the Year (NASSP), National Distinguished Principal (NAESP), Assistant Principal of the Year (NASSP), and Superintendent of the Year (AASA).
- DASA provides legal assistance to members as prescribed in DASA policy. DASA is the nationally recognized school administrator professional organization in Delaware.
