Created May 10, 2016, by Vakil Smallen, NEA Project Archivist
Revised April 2024 by Selena St. Andre, NEA Archivist
Purpose of the Collection
The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is home to the official archives and library of the National Education Association (NEA). The NEA is the largest union in the U.S.—representing more than 3 million educators with affiliates in thousands of American communities. The NEA supports teachers at the local level through affiliates as they bargain with their employers. This archive contains a wealth of primary source material related to major topics including strikes, negotiations, teacher pay, health insurance, and school financing. Acquired in 2009, the National Education Association Archives serves as the flagship collection of many other education collections within the SCRC and guides the Education Collection Development Policy. The purposes of the education collections are to:
- Record the history of those organizations whose stated purpose is to work on those topics defined in the subject coverage section
- Improve documentation of those topics defined within the subject coverage section
- Complement and challenge positions taken by the NEA that are reflected in the NEA Collection
- Assist acquisition decisions in developing context for collecting primary source materials related to education
- Support the GW Libraries vision to build robust and unique content to attract local, national and international scholars
- Support GW University curricula and research among faculty, staff, and students
Subject Coverage
The SCRC collects rare and primary source archival materials as well as primary and secondary source books related to education. The primary subjects to be documented will focus on organizations or individuals who work or offer support within the following subject areas:
The National Education Association
Work created by or about the National Education Association, NEA State Affiliate Associations, NEA members and leaders, or organizations with historic ties to the NEA - generally those organizations that were founded within or merged with the NEA and later become separate organizations.
Education Policy
Work created or collected by institutions that seek to influence policy development, primarily at the federal or national level, through advocacy, research, and analysis, or that seek to provide analysis and information to policy-makers or a broader audience. Education policy consists of the assemblage of laws, guides, and rules that govern schools, educators, and education systems. These can impact education in general or target specific issues, individuals, or organizations. This includes laws and Acts of Congress, guidelines from Cabinet departments, or codes of ethics and other professional guidelines produced by private organizations. These materials may also include the work of writing, negotiating, and passing those laws, guides and rules, including the external and internal forces that may influence how a government agency or professional organization designs these laws, guides, and rules.
History of Education in the United States
Materials documenting and informing the history of education, primarily within the United States. Other geographic areas may be considered if they impact education history as a whole or directly interact with U.S. education history. History of education as it relates to theory and advocacy to affect U.S. education policy as well as expanding equality of race, sex, ability, salary, and religious freedom shall be included. Other topics not listed may be included if they complement the strengths of the collections or fill in a gap as determined by the NEA Archivist.
Educators’ Rights
Organizations that seek to improve education by improving the working conditions, professional training and education, or job security of teachers, other educators, or education support personnel. This shall include labor movements directly related to education including strikes, negotiations, litigation, and other topics as relevant. Labor movements not related to education should consult the Labor History Collection Development Policy.
Exclusions
There are many institutions that collect and document education history and the SCRC recognizes that each institution may attract similar topics and audiences. As such, material from organizations whose purpose otherwise fits within the subject coverage but have substantial collections of records held at other institutions should be directed to the appropriate institution. The SCRC may provide support in identifying appropriate repositories for materials not accepted. The SCRC will limit accepting duplicate items when known duplicates exist, except in the cases of highly used reference materials (ex. NEA Addresses and Proceedings) or extremely rare primary sources.
Collecting Scope
General Guidelines
The SCRC will collect, preserve, and make available primary and rare materials related to education at all academic levels, including early childhood, K-12, undergraduate, and graduate. Materials will be collected in all formats to meet the research and instructional needs of the students and faculty of the George Washington University as well as academic scholars.
Inclusive Collection Statement
The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) acknowledges that our past policies and practices have caused harm. We are committing to rectifying these exclusionary practices and engaging in more inclusive collection building across all collecting areas. We know that diverse collections will deepen the understanding of the histories of people of color and other communities currently not well represented in our historic records. The diversity of collection creators, as well as the varied and underrepresented perspectives in potential donations, are an essential consideration for acceptance. We are committed to inclusive collection building as well as continuing to educate ourselves about DEI issues and undertaking DEI initiatives as an active part of the work of the SCRC.
Language
Materials are primarily in English, but consideration will be given to bilingual and foreign language materials as relevant.
Period of Coverage
The education collections date from the mid-19th century through the present, with the bulk of material created between 1890 and 2000. Special Collections will collect material created any time between 1607 and the present.
Geographical
Materials related to or created within the United States are primarily collected. Materials related to or created internationally are also collected when they directly support those topics defined within the subject coverage section.
