School leadership has evolved. The challenges facing principals–federal policy shifts, funding decisions, student well-being, safety, accountability, and staffing affect every school across the PreK–12 continuum. Federal education policy increasingly treats PreK–12 as one system.

Over the past year, we have spoken with members and state leaders across the country, and the message is clear: To meet the complexity of today’s educational landscape, school leaders need stronger alignment and a unified voice across the entire PreK–12 continuum. This expansion is not simply about broadening membership. It is about strengthening the profession as a whole.

As of July 1, NASSP operates as the National Principals Association, reflecting this unified PreK–12 commitment.

The PreK–12 expansion followed a formal governance process grounded in member authority and Board oversight. After reviewing profession trends, affiliate feedback, operational readiness, and legal considerations, the Board advanced a proposal to:

• Expand membership eligibility to PreK–6      
• Update the organization’s legal structure

Members received official notice, participated in a live convening, had the opportunity to ask questions, and approved the proposal through a formal vote.

Members voted on two actions:

1. Approving the Plan of Domestication to move the legal incorporation from Washington, D.C., to Delaware.
2. Amending the Articles of Incorporation to expand membership eligibility to all PreK–12 principals and assistant principals.

No. The organization’s focus remains unchanged. The vote expands eligibility and structure, not the organization’s purpose, values, or commitment to school leaders. The National Principals Association seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student.

• A stronger, unified national advocacy voice
• More coherent leadership development across PreK–12
• Expanded networks and collaboration
• Elevation of nationally recognized student leadership programs
• No loss of secondary services or benefits

This expansion strengthens what members already value while broadening opportunity.

Secondary leadership remains foundational to the organization’s mission and identity. The transition to a unified PreK–12 platform strengthens the profession’s national voice while creating opportunities to further enhance the value delivered to middle and high school leaders.

The PreK–12 model strengthens:

• National advocacy influence
• Cross-grade collaboration across school systems
• Leadership pipeline development

At the same time, we are actively evaluating and enhancing programming, networks, and resources grounded in secondary leader voice and informed by research on effective middle and high school leadership. This work ensures that secondary leaders continue to benefit from strong, relevant, and evolving support that reflects the complexity and impact of leading middle and high schools today.

Yes, programming will continue to broaden to reflect the unique needs and priorities of elementary principals while continuing strong support for middle and high school leaders.

Expanded offerings will be grounded in elementary leader voice and informed by research on effective school leadership across the PreK–12 continuum. This includes opportunities for collaboration across grade levels, leadership development aligned to the realities of elementary school leadership, and expanded pathways for engagement within the national community.

Recognition programs, national and state liaison opportunities, and leadership engagement structures will also expand to ensure elementary leaders are meaningfully represented across the full PreK–12 continuum.

Yes. Under NPA it becomes the National Principals Conference (NPC)—the in-person home of the PreK–12 movement, where leaders across every grade level gather as one profession. NPC27 takes place February 6–9, 2027. Registration is now open, with a limited-time $699 early rate.

Student leadership programs—including NHS, NJHS, NEHS, and National Association of Student Councils—will continue to operate as core pillars of the organization and will become even more integrated within the unified PreK–12 platform.

Elementary leaders have expressed interest in:

• A unified PreK–12 platform
• Broader peer networks
• Expanded leadership development
• Stronger national advocacy integration

However, the expansion preserves choice. Leaders may join NAESP, National Principals Association, or both.

No. Members will continue to receive professional liability and legal assistance coverage administered by Forrest T. Jones & Company (FTJ). Coverage attaches when a member is added to the National Principals Association primary membership list. There is no waiting period once membership is active.

Coverage aligns with effective membership dates. Members should ensure their National Principals Association membership begins immediately following the expiration of any prior membership to avoid a gap in coverage. Maintaining continuous membership preserves eligibility for certain benefits.

Legal benefits accrue based on continuous membership. Where there is no lapse in membership dates, prior years of membership will be recognized for purposes of calculating legal assistance benefits.

Enhanced LAP Benefits

If you are subject to a job-related due-process proceeding, the legal benefits program has been enhanced and will reimburse up to $2,000 of legal expenses for each year of continuous membership, to a maximum of $20,000 (subject to a $500 deductible per claim).*    

*Available to members in ​the Individual and Institutional membership categories only. This benefit covers incidents occurring after 4/1/26 that are the subject of a claim. For claims administration purposes, “continuous membership” means you accrue tenure for this benefit so long as your membership with NPA, or between NPA and NAESP, is continuous (meaning no lapses). If you become a member of NPA and were previously a member of NAESP you must ensure that there is no lapse in your membership to receive full credit for each year of continuous service.

In limited instances, members moving between associations may be required to provide proof of continuous membership at the time of a claim. NPA will clearly and consistently communicate this change to all our members.

Balanced representation across the PreK–12 continuum is a priority for the National Principals Association governance. The current board reflects leadership experience and perspectives across elementary, middle, and high school settings.

As the organization evolves, governance will be intentionally phased to ensure balanced representation across the continuum while maintaining the strong leadership voice that has historically guided NASSP.

In addition to board representation, the National Principals Association established an Elementary Advisory Group to ensure strong elementary leader input during the early stages of launch. National/state liaison representation (i.e., State Coordinators) will also be expanded.

The National Principals Association has also conducted extensive research across the elementary leadership community to understand the priorities and challenges facing elementary principals. These insights will inform programming, professional learning, and member services and support.

• A unified national voice representing the full PreK–12 continuum
• Stronger alignment across grade spans and feeder patterns
• Expanded leadership development opportunities
• Elevated student leadership integration (NHS, NJHS, NEHS, NASC)
• More coherent advocacy and policy representation
• A more inclusive professional community

Yes. Expanding to represent PreK–12 leaders strengthens the organization’s ability to advocate for policies affecting the entire school leadership continuum. A unified platform allows the National Principals Association to represent elementary, middle, and high school leaders together in national policy conversations.

Members will receive updates through:

• National Principals Association communications
• Member emails
• The PreK–12 expansion landing page
• Customer Care support channels

State associations will remain independent organizations with their own governance, membership structures, and programming. Your state association’s affiliation, joint-membership structure, and operational procedures will also remain unchanged. 

The PreK–12 expansion affects national membership eligibility, not the governance or operational autonomy of state affiliates. 

State associations may continue their existing affiliation and joint-membership structures. States are also welcome to explore expanded PreK–12 affiliate opportunities with NPA if they believe greater alignment across grade levels would benefit school leaders in their state. Each state may determine what approach best serves its members. 

This expansion strengthens the value of joint-state memberships by bringing elementary, middle, and high school leaders together under one national platform. With a unified voice, NPA can effectively represent school leaders in national policy conversations and advocate for the needs of schools and students. 

Joint-state members remain closely connected to their state association while also benefiting from a broader national network advancing school leadership. We value the leadership and perspectives of state members and rely on voices from every state to help shape our work and strengthen our collective impact. 

States may explore opportunities to strengthen alignment with NPA as the national organization expands to serve PreK–12 leaders.

Potential opportunities may include:

• Creating a unified national membership pathway for principals across grade levels
• Expanding collaboration between state and national initiatives
• Strengthening the collective voice of school leaders in advocacy efforts

Any changes would be determined by each state association based on what best serves its members. A PreK–12 affiliation playbook is available to support states interested in exploring alignment with NPA. The playbook outlines potential models, implementation considerations, member transition journeys, and operational guidance for affiliates evaluating affiliation.

NPA will provide guidance and support throughout the transition process. State associations interested in exploring this option should contact Erin McCarthy, director of membership, to schedule a discovery conversation and learn more about the transition process.

Partnering with NPA as the exclusive national organization creates a unified national voice representing school leaders across all grade levels while strengthening collaboration between state affiliates and national initiatives.

It also provides a more streamlined membership experience for principals and assistant principals, ensuring they can easily access the resources, benefits, and advocacy offered through both their state association and NPA.

States will continue to receive monetary rebates for members who join NPA through their state association, reinforcing the value of promoting joint membership as part of their state membership model.

Affiliates who would like additional context on the decision to expand to PreK–12 may request board informational materials related to the expansion.

These materials provide background on the governance process, the member vote, and the strategic rationale behind the transition.