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HISTORY
Unique among the fifty state associations functioning within our national borders, the Connecticut Association of Schools (formerly the Connecticut Association of Secondary Schools) was created in 1953 through the merger of the Connecticut Association of Secondary School Principals and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Why unique? Because unlike most states which have one association devoted to professional programs for principals and another devoted to athletic and extra-curricular activities for students, CAS is a single organization serving schools, their students and staff, in all areas of operation.CAS is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization. It is affiliated with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National Middle School Association (NMSA), and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).
In July 2000, CAS completed a historic merger with the Elementary and Middle School Principals' Association of Connecticut (EMSPAC), a non-profit organization serving CT's elementary and middle school principals. By creating a single principals' organization and bringing all schools under one umbrella, the merger allowed CAS to achieve the following:
- to present a united voice for all administrators in Connecticut;
- to create a stronger voice on legislative and public policy issues;
- to promote K-12 understanding;
- to broaden its network and reach out to more members;
- to improve and expand services using the combined resources of two organizations;
- to develop new services for administrators.
PURPOSE
The Connecticut Association of Schools is a non-profit organization working to strengthen elementary and secondary education in Connecticut. Through leadership, administrative, and professional development services, CAS works to serve the collective interests and needs of Connecticut educators, to enhance the professional growth and competency of school personnel at all levels, and, to recruit and retain qualified leaders for the schools of our state. CAS's mission is to improve and expand educational opportunities for Connecticut's students while striving to strengthen the professional skills and talents of the school leaders of Connecticut.Mission Statement:
"The Connecticut Association of Schools provides exemplary programs and services that promote excellence in the education of all children."
Click here to see CAS' "Belief Statements".
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The structure of CAS includes (1) the Legislative Body, consisting of all member schools, with the principal the voting delegate to the Body; (2) a 35-member, broadly representative Board of Directors elected by the Legislative Body; (3) two Boards of Control -- Athletic (CIAC) and Student Activities (SABC), and (3) Associations, the Connecticut Association of High School Principals, Connecticut Association of Middle School Principals and the Connecticut Association of Elementary School Principals. Each board or association has separate and distinct functions and to each is delegated decision-making and disciplinary powers to carry out these functions. All boards of control and associations are responsible to the CAS Board of Directors. Literally hundreds of administrators and other school personnel are actively involved in the work of the Association as members of various boards, associations and committees.Click here to see the association's organizational structure.
The Central Office Staff has grown considerably in recent years, as CAS-CIAC has expanded its programs and services to better serve the changing needs of schools and school personnel. An overall staff of sixteen -- including eight administrative staff members and eight support staff members -- conduct the day-to-day business of the Association in its wholly owned quarters in Cheshire, Connecticut.
CAS Belief Statements
About students...- All children can learn and achieve in school (given the necessary and appropriate resources and time).
- Students need to be active participants in learning.
- All students have the potential to effect positive change in society using what they learn in school.
- All students will live up or down to our expectations and must embrace fundamental values to survive and contribute to our society.
- Schools must foster an appreciation for cultural and ethnic diversity as well as for the common culture of society.
- Schools must foster an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.
- Schools must provide curricular and co-curricular activities to meet the needs of ALL students.
- Schools must have a shared responsibility with the community -- including parents -- in a child's education.
- Schools should be a place where students learn to apply the fundamental values of our society.
- Schools should be a community in which its student-members support one another to realize their academic and personal potential.
- Schools must be changing, dynamic organizations that evolve to meet the educational needs of our students.
- Schools should be workplaces which focus on high expectations, accountability, and the development of lifelong skills.
- Schools must have children as their focal point and their education programs must help all children achieve their potential as contributing members of society.
- Schools are the foundation for the formal education of young Americans and must undeviatingly pursue excellence.
- CAS must be in the forefront of leading and speaking for schools.
- CAS must act, and be perceived as acting, in the best interest of schools and their students.
- CAS should be an advocate for the benefit of students, professionals, and the profession in the schools of the state.
- CAS must be able to adapt to change, focus on activities that enhance the learning process, advocate for students, and make proactive public relations efforts on behalf of schools.
- CAS recognizes that the primary responsibility for the development of an effective educational program is vested in the school principal. As such, CAS must strive to enhance the professional growth and competency of school administrators at all levels.