“In 1935, 23 individuals attending the annual convention of the National Education Association in Denver, met for breakfast at the Olin Hotel to discuss the need for a formal organization dealing with school-community relations. The group was one-third educators, one-third writers, and one-third crusaders who had exchanged ideas for 10 years on better techniques, methods and materials for reporting and promoting the progress of public schools.” — NSPRA Paragraphs newsletter, October 1984
A. Helen Anderson (1891-1975), NSPRA co-founder and first President, was a teacher and director of publications for Denver Public Schools (1929-1956).
The first publication in the association archives is Trends in School Public Relations, and the first issue preserved is dated December-January 1945-46.
Early association newsletters suggest that NSPRA held two meetings annually — one in February in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Association of School Administrators and one in June/July.
“Television is becoming such an important public relations medium that it will have to be considered in all future planning. If a TV station operates in your area, you have an excellent PR opportunity NOW.” — Trends in School Public Relations member newsletter, May 1948
In 1950, the association was granted departmental status of the National Education Association and was renamed the National School Public Relations Association.
“Although school mimeographing work is frequently sloppy, excellent reports can be produced in this fashion if proper care is exercised in production.” - Trends in School Public Relations member newsletter, Jan. 1954
The first NSPRA National Seminar was held June 28, 1954, at Hotel Statler in New York City.
The NSPRA Executive Board approved a Code of Ethics for the association at its March 1970 meeting.
NSPRA launched its Accreditation in School Public Relations program, which operated for 22 years before the association joined eight others in forming the Universal Accreditation Board to offer the Accreditation in Public Relations credential.
