Kappa Delta Pi

Kappa Delta Pi, also known as ΚΔΠ, is a United States-based non-profit honor society in education. It was founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as one of the first discipline-specific honor societies in education. The society's mission is to foster excellence in education and promote leadership, community, belonging, and celebration among educators.

History

Kappa Delta Pi evolved from the Illinois Education Club, founded by Dr. William Begley in 1909. The first chapter was established in 1911, and subsequent chapters were chartered at the University of Colorado (1912), the University of Oklahoma (1915), and the University of Texas (1916). By 1930, Kappa Delta Pi had grown to include 62 chapters.

Activities and Membership

Membership in Kappa Delta Pi is open to the top twenty percent of students entering the education field. Eligibility criteria include a minimum GPA of 3.0 for undergraduates and 3.50 for graduate students. The organization provides members with opportunities for professional development, networking, and leadership through its chapters and online resources. As of 2025, Kappa Delta Pi has over 20,000 active members and more than one million lifetime initiates across multiple countries.

Publications

Kappa Delta Pi publishes several educational journals, including The Educational Forum and The Teacher Advocate. From 1964 to 2023, it also published The Kappa Delta Pi Record, a peer-reviewed journal.

Symbols

The society's motto is "Knowledge, Duty, Power," derived from the Greek words "knowledge" (gnosis), "duty" (deon), and "power" (dunamis). Its colors are purple and gold, and its flower is the violet. The insignia features a key shaped like a scroll, with the Greek letters ΚΔΠ and a beehive.

United Nations Partnership

In 2010, Kappa Delta Pi became an official Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of the United Nations. As such, it supports global education initiatives, particularly the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Governance

The organization is governed by an executive council composed of nine elected members. Chapters offer local members opportunities for networking, leadership development, and community service.

Financial Information

Kappa Delta Pi operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations to the society are tax-deductible. Primary sources of revenue include contributions and program services, with significant expenses in salaries and wages for its operations. As of recent financial reports, Kappa Delta Pi has substantial total assets and liabilities, reflecting its ongoing educational programs and operations.