It was founded in 1925, whose goal is to unite student journalists and faculty advisers at schools and colleges through educational conferences, idea exchanges, textbooks, critiques and award programs.

"To make good writing the basis of successful student publications" was one of the earliest goals for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

From its beginnings in 1925, the CSPA sponsored annual contests to seek out and publicize the best practices in student writing, editing and publishing.

The Gold Circle Awards[1] honor the best work completed by student reporters, editors, designers, photographers, artists, poets, fiction writers, and other staff members of all types.

The critique is a teaching tool to provide detailed guidance on how well a student print or online media is currently progressing, and how it could improve during the following year.

Convention delegates can choose from separate seminars, lectures and workshops featuring professional journalists, award-winning advisers and leading student editors as presenters.

With the Gold Key, the CSPA recognizes educators and others for their support of excellence in teaching journalism and in advising the student press.

The Charles R. O'Malley Award for Excellence in Teaching is given by the Association for sustained achievement by a teacher of student editors or faculty advisers.

The Edmund J. Sullivan Award is given by the CSPAA for student journalists who have fought for the right to speak their minds while in pursuit of the truth on behalf of their audiences.