TO WORK FOR THE WELFARE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION, AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL; TO PROMOTE WITHIN THE TEACHING GROUP THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES; TO ENCOURAGE HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE TEACHING PROFESSION; TO NEGOTIATE TEACHER COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS; TO COOPERATE WITH PARENT/TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER CIVIC BODIES HAVING EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES; TO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS AS CITIZENS.