Kappa Delta Pi

Kappa Delta Pi (ΚΔΠ) is an American honor society for education. It was founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, initially evolving from the Illinois Education Club established in 1909 by Dr. William Begley. As one of the first discipline-specific honor societies, its primary objectives include promoting excellence in education and providing a network for education students and professionals.

History

Kappa Delta Pi was registered with the State of Illinois on June 8, 1911. Its early expansion included the establishment of chapters at the University of Colorado (1912), University of Oklahoma (1915), and the University of Texas (1916). In 1924, the society created its Laureate Chapter to recognize individuals making significant contributions to professional education. Notable inductees include John Dewey, who was the first member of this chapter.

By the early 1930s, Kappa Delta Pi had grown to include 62 chapters, and its name was officially changed to Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in 1932. The society's scholarly publication, The Educational Forum, was first issued in 1936. Over the decades, Kappa Delta Pi has continued to expand, reaching over 650 chapters as of the present day.

Symbols and Values

• Motto: "Knowledge. Duty. Power." derived from the Greek words for these concepts.
• Insignia: A key shaped like a scroll, featuring the Greek letters ΚΔΠ, with the letter Δ atop a beehive.
• Colors: Purple and Gold.
• Flower: Violet.
• Pillars: Community, Belonging, Leadership, Celebration.

Membership

Membership is selective, open to the top twenty percent of those entering the education field. Undergraduates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, while graduate students require a 3.50 GPA. The society also offers membership to active professionals based on varying criteria.

Activities

Chapters organize local networking, leadership, service, and professional development programs. Members engage in ongoing professional development through various resources provided by the society. Kappa Delta Pi supports educational initiatives and solicits contributions to fund its programs.

Governance

The society is governed by an executive council of nine elected members chosen by chapter delegates during biennial national conventions.

International Involvement

In 2010, Kappa Delta Pi became an official United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), aligning its mission with global education initiatives—particularly the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. Its representatives advocate for equitable and lifelong learning opportunities worldwide.

Partnerships

Kappa Delta Pi partners with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations that share its values and commitment to educators. These collaborations support the society's goal of fostering teaching excellence from higher education campuses to K-12 classrooms.