Florida Education Association

The Florida Education Association (FEA) was organized in 1886 as the Florida State Teachers Association (FSTA). In 1904, the FSTA was renamed the Florida Education Association and the black teachers' association became the Florida State Teachers Association. The organizational structure included departments which were groups of members with mutual professional interests, and sections devoted to more specific interests.

In 1966, Florida Education Association merged with the Florida State Teachers Association in the interests of integration. Perhaps the best known activity of Florida Education Association was its leadership role in the teachers' walkout of 1967-1968, organized after the Governor and the Legislature allegedly failed to provide enough money for school funding.

In 1975, the Florida Education Association merged with the Florida chapter of the American Federation of Teachers to create FEA/United, which has diverged from the original intent of FEA. The new body is a union, while the former organization was a professional association. After complex struggles with the National Education Association over this change, the Florida Education Association was disaffiliated from National Education Association.

From the description of Records, 1886-1983. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413156