Short answers, pulled from the story.
The National Council of Teachers of English originated in 1911 when a group of educators formed the English Round Table in Chicago, Illinois. This organization evolved from an investigatory committee into a formal body by 1919 to address changing educational needs regarding English language instruction.
Today members belong to four broad sections: Elementary, Middle, Secondary, or College. The organization also maintains various specialty groups alongside these primary divisions to support diverse teaching contexts.
NCTE publishes journals like College Composition and Communication and College English that address concerns of English language arts educators. Teaching English in the Two-Year College was established in 1973 and covers topics including basic first-year and advanced composition.
Since the 1970s it has issued annual Doublespeak Awards and Orwell Awards alongside the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award. These awards highlight professional excellence and intellectual freedom through specific honors designed to challenge misuse of language.
The Steering Committee on Social and Political Concerns known as SLATE engages in political issues primarily by influencing public attitudes and policy decisions affecting English language arts at local state and national levels. This committee serves as NCTE's intellectual freedom network during debates over legislation like the No Child Left Behind Act.