Defining Commissions and Standing Committees
 
NCTE Commissions and Standing Committees are established as continuing groups. Members' terms are staggered, and typically run for three years. Their membership is composed of leaders in the profession, drawn from all teaching levels. Because these groups are essentially deliberative bodies that advise the Executive Committee on major aspects of our profession, the Executive Committee and staff monitor membership more closely.  The Executive Committee appoints the leaders of these groups--Directors of Commissions and Chairs of Standing Committees.
 
Commissions are essentially deliberative and advisory bodies that deal with defined branches of study within the English language arts (composition, curriculum, language, literature, media, reading). The various Commission statements of function are nearly identical, charging each group with (1) deliberating on key issues and developments under their concern, with a view toward advising the Executive Committee about those matters, (2) reviewing Council actions related to their concerns (e.g., proposals for new assemblies), and (3) recommending new projects and persons to undertake them.  Commissions also monitor current and projected NCTE publications, suggest appropriate topics for future NCTE publications and Annual Convention events, and, when the need arises, recommend committees to accomplish specific tasks.
 
Although commissions are urged not to undertake projects that might interfere with their broader advisory concerns, some commissions choose to initiate projects.  In the past such projects have included drafting resolutions for consideration at the Annual Business Meeting, developing manuscripts for possible publication, proposing Professional Development Institutes, and developing position statements.  (See Special Activities and Projects.)
 
Standing Committees focus on particular issues or continuing areas of substantial concern (e.g., censorship, research, and testing) whose effects cross all branches of study in English instruction.  Standing Committees provide direction for the Council's activities with regard to these major concerns.  They serve as resources for the Council on movements within their various areas.  In addition, Standing Committees serve (as do the Commissions) as deliberative and advisory bodies, but with an orientation toward action--for example, cultivating long-term strategies or devising ways of dealing with problems in their areas of concern.
 
Of course, a wide diversity of viewpoints is always present in the rotating membership of each of the Commissions and Standing Committees.  As a consequence, a group in any given year might strike a slightly different tone or emphasis in the pursuit of its charge than the group would strike in the following year.  However, diversity of viewpoints and differences in working style do not prevent basic continuity and efficient functioning.
 
The focus of a three-year NCTE committee or other Council subgroup may fall within the range of an existing Commission or Standing Committee; for example, a three-year Committee on Alternative Assessment might be exploring issues that are of interest to the Standing Committee on Testing and Evaluation.  The Commission/Standing Committee leader can elect to propose a liaisonship with pertinent other NCTE subgroups in order to exchange information and activities.