KEA is affiliated with the National Education Association and has local affiliates in every school district. It is the largest professional association in Kentucky. Since its founding in 1857, KEA and its members have been champions for public education, children, and teachers' employment rights. This advocacy has taken the form of lobbying for improved education funding, safe schools, better materials, smaller class sizes, school restructuring, and empowerment of teachers and parents. KEA decisions are made and elections are held in a democratic manner, based on the principles of one person-one vote and secret ballot.
Teachers are in charge of their organization.
KEA is organized into 12 district associations whose members elect the KEA Board of Directors, the organization's governing body. KEA members also elect delegates to the annual Delegate Assembly, the highest policy making body of the organization. KEA's president and vice president are released from their classrooms to work full-time for the teachers of Kentucky. KEA's staff structure is organized under the direction of its Executive Director. More than 55 staff members work in the association's 14 offices.