CEC Association News
What's on your summer reading list?
CEC SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
Be sure to check out one of our top picks, 7 Steps for Success by Elizabeth Hamblet. To learn more about this title and other great summer reading options, visit the CEC store.
Education Department releases resource document on Restraint and Seclusion
CEC SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
The U.S. Department of Education released a resource document identifying 15 principles that it offers states, local school districts, preschool, elementary, and secondary schools, parents, and other stakeholders as a framework for developing appropriate policies related to restraint and seclusion to ensure the safety of adults and children. Read more in CEC's Policy Insider blog.
Reality 101 bloggers wanted!
CEC SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
Are you a new special-education teacher who loves to write? CEC is searching for members to chronicle their teaching experiences on Reality 101, CEC's popular blog for new teachers. Find out more information and apply today!
Teacher evaluation: CEC needs your feedback!
CEC SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
Over the last three years, several states and districts have focused on revising their teacher evaluation systems. CEC wants to ensure that these systems accurately and meaningfully incorporate special education and gifted education teachers. In response, CEC will soon issue a position statement on teacher evaluation. Let your voice be heard -- provide your feedback on teacher evaluation today!
Happy 90th Anniversary, CEC!
CEC SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Join CEC in celebrating 90 years of uniting special educators, providing advocacy and leadership, and serving as a trusted source of information and professional development. Visit the 90th Anniversary website to find information on CEC's founder, Elizabeth Farrell, and how CEC got started, a list of CEC's milestones, and videos prepared with the 90th anniversary in mind.
Theresa on Reality 101: Taking learning outside the classroom
CEC SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Theresa takes Richard's advice and plans fun field trips for her classes -- they cheered on their school at the Special Olympics and visited a local nature center. Read all about it on Reality 101, CEC's blog for new teachers.
2013 CEC Convention & Expo proposals due today!
CEC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The CEC 2012 Convention & Expo was a great success, so be sure to save the date for CEC 2013, to be held April 3-6 in San Antonio. Great programming starts with you, so submit your proposal today. Deadline for proposals is today!
Interested in gifted and talented resources?
CEC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
A special-interest division of CEC, The Association for the Gifted (TAG), provides information to both professionals and parents about gifted and talented children and their needs. Membership is available exclusively to CEC members and includes the Journal for the Education of the Gifted and the TAG Update newsletter. Find out more and join today.
CEC releases fiscal year 2013 Federal Outlook for Exceptional Children
CEC SmartBrief | May 22, 2012
CEC's 2013 Federal Outlook for Exceptional Children provides budgetary recommendations for funding programs for the United States' seven million children with disabilities and/or giftedness. Download the FREE Federal Outlook now.
Allisence on Reality 101: Field trip fun -- planes, trains, and automobiles
CEC SmartBrief | May 22, 2012
As excitement from her last field trip of the school year still fills the classroom, Allisence reflects on her year. What experiences created the most excitement for student learning? Read all about it on Reality 101, CEC's blog for new teachers.
Don't miss today's deadline for the 2014 and 2015 Program Chairperson for the CEC Convention and Expo
CEC SmartBrief | May 21, 2012
The Council for Exceptional Children is seeking applications for a Program Chairperson for the 2014 (Philadelphia) and 2015 (San Diego) CEC Convention and Expo. The Convention Program Chairperson plays a pivotal leadership role in the success of CEC's annual convention, the largest and most comprehensive professional-development event in the field of special education. Apply today!
Happy Monday! Here's your Tool of the Week
CEC SmartBrief | May 21, 2012
This week's tool, "Understanding Sarcasm and Irony," comes from Social Skills for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities, and focuses on students' understanding and recognizing the use of sarcasm and irony, tools for helping students develop social skills and be included in the general-education classroom. Subscribe to Tool of the Week, and you'll find a free tool in your inbox every Monday morning. Get your Tool of the Week.
CEC calls on Education Department to change definition of 'evidence-based' in State Personnel Development Grant Program
CEC SmartBrief | May 18, 2012
CEC has urged the U.S. Department of Education to revise its definition of 'evidence-based' as proposed in the IDEA State Personnel Development Grant program. Among CEC's many concerns is that the proposed definition is overly broad and vague. Read CEC's full response in CEC's Policy Insider.
New social skills publications available
CEC SmartBrief | May 18, 2012
An update to Social Skills for School and Community, Social Skills for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disorders focuses on teaching social skills in inclusive settings by creating learning opportunities in general education environments. Lesson plans are available for the elementary school level and the secondary school level. Buy a copy today!
Catch 2012 convention highlights on CEC's website
CEC SmartBrief | May 17, 2012
If you missed the CEC 2012 Convention & Expo last month -- or if you just want to relive the memories -- head to CEC's website for photos, videos, and more. Check it out -- and save the date for CEC 2013 in San Antonio!
Jessica on Reality 101: Fun with Word Clouds
CEC SmartBrief | May 17, 2012
Jessica takes a fun childhood project and turns it into a useful classroom tool. She discusses how word clouds have transformed over the years and the many uses she's discovered for her classroom. Read all about it on Reality 101, CEC's blog for new teachers.
Get your work published in DLD's Journal
CEC SmartBrief | May 16, 2012
Get published in Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, the official publication of The Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD), which publishes articles addressing the nature and characteristics of children and adults with learning disabilities, program development, assessment practices, and instruction from different perspectives. Submit your work today.
Special education jobs are just a click away
CEC SmartBrief | May 16, 2012
Specialedcareers.org is an online career center developed just for special educators, to make your job search for positions at all professional levels easy and effective. Browse among a dedicated list of top-notch opportunities and find your dream job using custom search options. Be sure to post your resume and sign up for personalized alerts! Find your next opportunity.
Pre-order LCE, the newest transition curriculum and assessment portal
CEC SmartBrief | May 15, 2012
Discover how Life Centered Education (LCE), formerly known as LCCE, helps you better prepare your students for independent and rewarding lives after they finish school. The all-new, entirely web-based format of LCE allows multiple users from the same school to simultaneously access the entire curriculum -- or just the pieces you need, when you need them. Find out more.
Richard on Reality 101: Where to next?
CEC SmartBrief | May 15, 2012
Richard assesses where his students will be placed next year. What is the best method to determine placement -- just quantitative data? Or should qualitative information be used as well? Read all about it on Reality 101, CEC's blog for new teachers.
Plans are under way for CEC 2013
CEC SmartBrief | May 14, 2012
The CEC 2012 Convention & Expo was a great success, so be sure to save the date for CEC 2013, to be held April 3-6 in San Antonio. Great programming starts with you, so submit your proposal today. The call for papers ends May 23.
U.S. secretary of education calls CEC member to say "Thanks!"
CEC SmartBrief | May 11, 2012
Benjamin White, a senior at East Michigan University and a student member of CEC, was surprised to get a call this week from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. White was one of just four teachers that Secretary Duncan selected to call personally during Teacher Appreciation Week and express his appreciation for their dedication and hard work. Read more about White in CEC's Policy Insider' blog.
CEC seeks mentors for upcoming school year
CEC SmartBrief | May 11, 2012
Active CEC Premier, Professional and Retired members are invited to apply as mentors for the 2012-2013 CEC/CEC Pioneers Division Mentoring Program, which supports CEC student members through their pre-service teaching, job searches and transition to professional life. Selected mentors will be assigned from five to 10 students. Applications are due August 1. Find out more.
Are you looking for professional-development resources?
CEC SmartBrief | May 10, 2012
A special interest division of CEC, the Teacher Education Division (TED), emphasizes the preparation and continuing professional development of effective professionals in special education and related service fields. Membership is available exclusively to CEC members and includes Teacher Education and Special Education and the TEDLines newsletter. Find out more and join today.
Jessica on Reality 101: Maurice Sendak -- An obituary in book recommendations
CEC SmartBrief | May 10, 2012
Jessica reflects on the death of the children's book author Maurice Sendak and how she incorporates her favorite Sendak books into her classroom. Read all about it on Reality 101, CEC's blog for new teachers.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
CEC SmartBrief | May 09, 2012
Thank you teachers for all you do for your students, schools and communities. And a special thank you to special-education teachers! To honor teachers, CEC is offering 20% off of our books online through Saturday. Use the code TAW20 when checking out. Browse CEC publications now!
Celebrate Exceptional Children's Week, May 6-12
CEC SmartBrief | May 09, 2012
Join CEC in celebrating Exceptional Children's Week, an opportunity to build support for and honor the accomplishments of children with exceptionalities and the special educators who serve them. Honoring this occasion in your school and community is easy -- let CEC show you how.
Program Chairperson for 2014 and 2015 CEC Convention and Expo sought
CEC SmartBrief | May 08, 2012
The Council for Exceptional Children is seeking applications for a Program Chairperson for the 2014 (Philadelphia) and 2015 (San Diego) CEC Convention and Expo. The Convention Program Chairperson plays a pivotal leadership role in the success of CEC's annual convention, the largest and most comprehensive professional development event in the field of special education. Apply by May 21!
Ethical principles and practice standards for special educators
CEC SmartBrief | May 04, 2012
Professional special educators are guided by the CEC Professional Ethical Principles and Practice Standards in ways that respect the diverse characteristics and needs of individuals with exceptionalities and their families. CEC members are committed to upholding and advancing these principles and standards, including promoting meaningful and inclusive participation of individuals with exceptionalities in their schools and communities. Get a copy of What Every Special Educator Must Know.
Connect with CEC on Facebook and Twitter
CEC SmartBrief | May 03, 2012
Thousands of CEC fans are connecting on Facebook and Twitter to discuss intervention tactics, the recent CEC 2012 Convention & Expo, and, of course, best practices in special education. Like CEC on Facebook and follow us @CECmembership on Twitter. For the latest in education policy, follow @CECadvocacy.
Jessica on Reality 101: Social skills -- then and now
CEC SmartBrief | May 03, 2012
How do students handle unpleasant situations? How well do you as an adult handle interactions with others, especially in new settings? After refreshing her social skills at the recent CEC 2012 Convention & Expo, Jessica discusses the importance of social skills for both students and adults. Read all about it on Reality 101, CEC's blog for new teachers.
Get your work published in a CCBD publication
CEC SmartBrief | May 02, 2012
Get published in "Behavioral Disorders or Beyond Behavior," the official publications of The Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD), which provides the latest in research and practice about the education of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Submit your work today.
CEC/DEC Webinar: Implementing Tiered Instruction for Diverse Pre-K Learners
CEC SmartBrief | May 02, 2012
Creating effective learning opportunities is a challenge in teaching preschool-aged children with diverse abilities. This webinar, "Implementing Tiered Instruction for Diverse PreK Learners: Effective Teacher Decision Making at Tier I," will provide guidance on how to plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based teaching sequences at Tier I. Register today!
What Works Clearinghouse releases two reports on programs for children with disabilities
CEC SmartBrief | May 01, 2012
The What Works Clearinghouse has released two new reports on programs for children with disabilities that focus on developing socio-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive skills, and take a close look at the evidence of success in the milieu teaching and play-based intervention methods of preparing children with disabilities for school. Find out more and read the reports on CEC's Policy Insider blog.
Allisence on Reality 101: Testing breaks the classroom "norm"
CEC SmartBrief | May 01, 2012
Allisence returns from Denver to begin state assessments in her classroom and they haven't stopped yet. As testing breaks the class away from their normal schedule, Allisence works to balance testing and instruction. Read all about it on Reality 101, CEC's blog for new teachers.
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