History of the Virginia Teachers Association, 1940-1965

The major purpose of this study was to examine the Virginia Teachers Association as a force for educational change in Virginia. The study involved (1) an examination of the primary purposes of the association and their relationship to its educational goals and programs, (2) a review of the forces that generated educational change in Virginia during the period 1940-1965, (3) a survey of the contributions of two of the organization\u27s most influential leaders, and (4) an examination of the process involved in merging Virginia\u27s black and white teachers associations. The historical method of research was utilized in this study.;On the basis of the findings of this study, the following conclusions seemed to be warranted: (1) The primary goals and purposes of the Virginia Teachers Association as well as the program which it projected were of such depth and quality during the period covered in this study that the organization was able to survive and grow. (2) Black educators used effectively the political and social mood of the 1930\u27s and 1940\u27s to build a network of self-help organizations and through these mechanisms contributed significantly to changing the attitudes of the members of the social and political power structure of Virginia. (3) Through the leadership of many members of the Virginia Teachers Association but specifically as a result of the leadership of Lutrelle F. Palmer and J. Rupert Picott the Association made a lasting contribution to the professionalization of Virginia\u27s teachers by the elimination of discriminatory practices in public education. (4) The Virginia Teachers Associal seized the initiative in bringing about the merger of the VTA and the Virginia Education Association and thus gave Virginia a single professional organization of educators.;Upon the basis of this research, the following recommendations are made. (1) Many assure that most of the problems of discrimination and separation that affected educators prior to the period of desegregation and the ultimate merging of the dual teachers associations have been solved. A study is needed to ascertain the degree of real progress in human relations that has been realized since Virginia has had a single professional organization of educators. (2) The Philosophy and major activities of the merged VTA-VEA projects an identity that is different from either of the former organizations. What makes the current organization a different entity? Further study is necessary to determine the conditions that caused the new directions of the merged organization to develop. Also, to what extent have some of the primary attributes of each of the former organizations (VTA and VEA) been preserved? Finally, to what extent have the changes in emphasis and impact of the Association resulted from factors not directly associated with education or the professional development of educators in either of the former organizations. What makes the current organization a different entity? Further study is necessary to determine the conditions that caused the new directions of the merged organization to develop. Also, to what extent have the strengths of the two original organizations been retained? Finally, to what extent have the changes in emphasis and impact of the Association resulted from factors not directly associated with education or the professional development of educators. (3) The records, official documents and working papers and the VTA are scattered and housed in the archives of several institutions. For the purpose of conducting further research, in connection with the former teachers association, these records should be collected, organized and housed in a single location preferable the VEA headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. (4) This study reveals the tremendous impact of the educational and cultural improvement of the entire black community in Virginia