| Congratulations! |
| Your student has been invited to join Kappa Delta Pi—an honor
society with nearly a 100-year tradition of recognizing excellence
in education! But Kappa Delti Pi is more than just an honor
society and a line on a résumé. Our Society is also a professional
organization of educators at every level that grows with your student
as he or she transitions from being a student to a teacher. Everything we do in support of teachers today has the potential to have a huge impact. Your young teacher will need a listening ear, a helpful hand, and practical supports to help successfully navigate these first few years as a teacher. Teaching is a big job, but vitally important for all of us—for our kids and for our future. Helping the best and brightest educators be successful in their classrooms is an important part of the mission and future of Kappa Delta Pi. It’s something we care about deeply as an organization, as people who work with and for educators every day, and as parents and citizens. Kappa Delta Pi provides many opportunities for your student at every stage of his or her career in education, and we would like to take this opportunity to answer some of the questions our proud parents often ask. |
| Kappa Delta Pi, International
Honor Society in Education, was founded by
Dr. William Bagley in 1911 at the University of Illinois. The
Society was established to foster excellence in education and
promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. The founders
chose the name from the Greek letters to represent knowledge,
duty, and power. Pioneering from its beginning by including women
as well as men, Kappa Delta Pi grew from a local chapter to the
international organization it is today. Kappa Delta Pi’s membership is comprised of 582 chapters and more than 45,000 members. Approximately half of the membership is made up of preservice teachers aspiring to attain a teaching certification at the undergraduate level, and the other half consist primarily of graduate/doctoral students, K–12 practicing teachers, administrators, university faculty, and retirees. Organizational vision and cutting edge resources have made the Society synonymous with leadership and excellence in education at all levels. To learn more about the composition of our membership, our structure, or our history, please visit the About KDP section. |
Why was my son or daughter recognized to receive this honor? |
| Your student was recommended by his or her institution to receive this honor because he or she is in the top 20 percent of the students in the education program. Your student, in receiving the invitation to join KDP, already has done everything he or she needs to do to demonstrate being an outstanding student. Now, all he or she has to do to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Society is to join! For more information about the Society’s membership requirements, click here. |
| First, let us say that we understand your concern. In today’s higher education, there are numerous “honor” societies that offer little or no benefit in exchange for a healthy sum. We’re sure that your exceptional student has already been contacted by several of these less-than-reputable organizations. Kappa Delta Pi has been around for almost 100 years and was one of the earliest members of the Association of College Honor Societies—the organization that sets the standards for honor societies in the United States. KDP continues to meet the strict guidelines provided for collegiate honor societies. |
| The Society provides resources and services throughout an educator’s career to help your son or daughter become and remain a top educator. Your student can access essential tools and programs that give him or her an edge in looking for a job, pursuing graduate study, or facing everyday issues and challenges in the classroom. Our chapters help with everything from reviewing for the PRAXIS exam to giving tips for building a portfolio. As a member, your student can build networks at the college, in the community, and across the country to share expertise, advice, and support. As an active chapter member, your student can meet administrators and teachers from local school districts and build connections helpful when looking for student-teaching or permanent positions. By embracing chapter participation and leadership, your son or daughter can gain essential skills and learn how to become an effective teacher who will influence positive change wherever his or her career leads. |
| International membership fees are $39 annually. The chapter also may have a one-time initiation fee to cover the costs of initial materials and the induction ceremony and celebration. Additionally, chapters may charge local dues of not more than $39 to assist with programming and operational costs. Kappa Delta Pi offers an extensive list of member benefits for the annual membership fee. |
Are there opportunities for my son or daughter to be actively involved with the organization? |
| KDP encourages its members to be involved with programs and activities initiated by their chapters and through the partnered and cosponsored events of the campus education department and local school districts. Many of our members have been able to gain valuable expertise in creating professional development workshops or organizing service-based educational opportunities and have had the opportunity to meet key employers by attending chapter activities and regional or national events. |
| Each chapter elects its own officers. Most chapters have a president, vice president, and a treasurer/secretary; however, each chapter has unique opportunities for leadership roles. Kappa Delta Pi also is establishing a leadership development program for members to grow into Teacher-Leaders; that program will be launched in fall 2009. |
| My student meets the requirements, but didn’t receive an invitation. How can he or she join? |
| If there is an active chapter on the campus, fill out the Student Membership Referral Form and submit it to KDP Headquarters; the Headquarters staff will make sure it gets to the appropriate chapter faculty counselor for review. Keep in mind that several chapters have more stringent membership requirements than the international minimum. |
| Contact 800-284-3167 or e-mail membership@kdp.org. Please provide the student’s full name and institution. |
I have another son or daughter attending a different institution that doesn’t have a chapter or serving as a practicing educator. How can he or she be involved or start a chapter? |
| Students wishing to establish a chapter should review our chapter startup information. We encourage students to talk to their education professors about their interest as well as review the university’s requirements for establishing a new organization. Typically the Student Government Association provides the regulations and requirements for recognizing a new organization. Undergraduates, graduate students, or practicing educators also can join on their own as Professional Members or join or start a Professional or Alumni Chapter. |
| Can I order graduation regalia for my student member? |
| Regalia as well as other KDP merchandise can be purchased through the our Online Store. Many chapters give students free honor cords or other graduation items as an incentive for outstanding chapter involvement and participation. Your student should check with his or her faculty counselor regarding the chapter’s policy before purchasing any graduation items. Faculty counselor contact information is available for each chapter. |
| My student meets the requirements, but didn’t receive an invitation. How can he or she join? |
| If there is an active chapter on the campus, fill out the Student Membership Referral Form and submit it to KDP Headquarters; the Headquarters staff will make sure it gets to the appropriate chapter faculty counselor for review. Keep in mind that several chapters have more stringent membership requirements than the international minimum |
