Council for Exceptional Children

Council for Exceptional Children. The Council for Exceptional Children is a prominent international organization that focuses on improving the educational outcomes of children with disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Founded in 1922 by Elizabeth Farrell, the organization has grown to become a leading voice in special education, with members including teachers, administrators, and related service providers from the United States, Canada, and other countries, such as Australia and the United Kingdom. The organization has worked closely with other prominent organizations, including the National Association of School Psychologists, American Psychological Association, and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

● History

The Council for Exceptional Children was established in 1922 by Elizabeth Farrell, a pioneer in the field of special education, with the support of organizations such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. The organization's early years were marked by collaboration with other prominent figures in the field, including Samuel Orton and Helena Devereux. Over the years, the organization has undergone significant changes, including the establishment of its Division for Learning Disabilities in 1963, which has worked closely with organizations such as the Learning Disabilities Association of America and the National Center for Learning Disabilities. The organization has also been influenced by major events, such as the Brown v. Board of Education decision and the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which have shaped the field of special education and the work of organizations such as the National Disability Rights Network and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Council for Exceptional Children's mission is to improve the educational outcomes of children with disabilities by providing professional development opportunities, advocacy, and resources to its members, who include teachers, administrators, and related service providers from organizations such as the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization's objectives include promoting inclusion, diversity, and equity in education, as well as supporting the development of evidence-based practices in special education, which has been informed by the work of researchers such as Benjamin Bloom and Lee Shulman. The organization has also worked closely with other prominent organizations, including the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the International Reading Association, to advance its mission and objectives.

● Membership_and_Chapters

The Council for Exceptional Children has over 27,000 members, who are organized into chapters and divisions that focus on specific areas of interest, such as learning disabilities, gifted education, and early childhood special education. Members include teachers, administrators, and related service providers from organizations such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, as well as parents and caregivers of children with disabilities, who have been supported by organizations such as the Parent Teacher Association and the National Parent Teacher Association. The organization also has a strong presence in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, where it has worked closely with organizations such as the Canadian Association for Community Living and the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations.

● Professional_Development

The Council for Exceptional Children provides a range of professional development opportunities to its members, including conferences, workshops, and online courses, which have been developed in collaboration with organizations such as the National Staff Development and Training Association and the American Educational Research Association. The organization's professional development programs focus on topics such as inclusion, diversity, and equity in education, as well as evidence-based practices in special education, which have been informed by the work of researchers such as Robert Marzano and Carol Ann Tomlinson. The organization has also worked closely with other prominent organizations, including the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the American Council on Education, to advance the field of special education.

● Advocacy_and_Policy

The Council for Exceptional Children is a strong advocate for the rights of children with disabilities and their families, and works closely with organizations such as the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and the National Disability Rights Network to advance policy initiatives that support inclusion, diversity, and equity in education. The organization has been involved in major policy initiatives, including the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the development of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which have been informed by the work of policymakers such as Senator Tom Harkin and Representative George Miller. The organization has also worked closely with other prominent organizations, including the National Association of State Directors of Special Education and the Council of Administrators of Special Education, to advance the field of special education.

● Publications_and_Resources

The Council for Exceptional Children publishes a range of publications and resources that support the work of its members, including books, journals, and online resources, which have been developed in collaboration with organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the International Society for Technology in Education. The organization's publications and resources focus on topics such as inclusion, diversity, and equity in education, as well as evidence-based practices in special education, which have been informed by the work of researchers such as Sally Shaywitz and Bennett Shaywitz. The organization has also worked closely with other prominent organizations, including the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the Learning Disabilities Association of America, to advance the field of special education and support the work of its members.

Category:Special education