SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

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There are several Special Interest Groups (or, subdivisions) across the state.

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These Groups provide networking, professional development and information-sharing for division members in their state or province.

 

Typical subdivision activities include sponsoring sessions, strands or workshops at state or provincial conferences, political advocacy, and supporting the activities of their division and state or provincial unit of CEC. 

 

For more information about subdivisions, please contact:

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Brooke Lylo, President 

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Briana Bronstein, President-Elect

CEC-PA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)

CONTACT: Gina Scala
Department of Special Education
East Stroudsburg University
105 Stroud Hall
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Voice: 570-422-3781
Fax: 570-422-3198 gscala@esu.edu CASE@pacec-sped.org RELATED RESOURCES:



Council for Children with Behavior Disorders (CCBD)

Our Mission:

  1. To promote best practices in the education of all exceptional children and youth, especially those with behavioral disorders or serious emotional disturbance.
  2. To encourage, nurture, and advance efficient and effective programs which enhance the awareness, exploration, preparation, and transition for children and youth with behavioral disorders.
  3. To collaborate with other organizations on issues relating to behavioral disorders, and to disseminate such information to its members.
  4. To support the goals of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members.
CONTACT: Robin Drogan rdrogan@bloomu.edu RESOURCES:



Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT)

MISSION:

  1. To promote the career development of all exceptional children, youth and adults.
  2. To encourage, nurture, and advance efficient and effective programs of career awareness, exploration, preparation, and transition for all exceptionalities from early childhood through adulthood.
  3. To collaborate with other organizations on issues relating to career development and transition, and to disseminate such information to its members.
  4. To support the goals of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members.
The Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) was organized in 1976 as the twelfth division of the Council for Exceptional Children. DCDT focuses on the career development of children, youth, and adults of all ages and exceptionalities. DCDT also focuses on transition from school to adult life as a major component of the career development process. CONTACT: Kay Gillet, President kgillet@bigspringsd.org



Division on Autism Developmental Disabilities (DADD)

MISSION:

  1. To advance the education and general welfare of individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
  2. To promote research and enhance the competency of educators in the field of education of individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
  3. To collaborate with other organizations on issues relating to mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and to disseminate such information to its members.
  4. To foster public understanding of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
  5. To support the goals of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members, and to support legislation needed to accomplish all these goals.
OVERVIEW: The Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD) is the official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) whose purpose is to advance the education and general welfare of individuals with mental retardation, developmental disabilities, and intellectual challenges, and to serve them. Membership in DADD has numerous advantages. DADD offers many opportunities for professional growth and networking with colleagues who share a common interest. In addition to a biennial conference with a focus on research, trends, and educational practices, DADD sponsors sessions on mental retardation and developmental disabilities at the CEC Annual International Convention, during which intensive one-day programs are devoted to relevant topics. Additionally, PA-DADD sponsors strands at the PACEC Conference held in Grantville in November and is planning additional joint conferences throughout the state with other Pennsylvania subdivisions. CONTACT: Briana Bronstein brianamb1@gmail.com or, pacec.dadd@gmail.com



Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners (DDEL)

MISSION:

  1. To serve as a vehicle for the exchange of ideas and information that center around diversity.
  2. To facilitate educational staff's knowledge and current use of instructional strategies to accommodate the diverse learning styles and behavior patterns of each student.
  3. To develop and enhance educational staff's sensitivity and responsiveness to, and respect of, the viewpoints of students from diverse backgrounds.
  4. To support the goals of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members.
CONTACT: Beatrice Adera
PACEC Multicultural Advisor
badera@wcupa.edu ASSOCIATED RESOURCES:



Division for Early Childhood (DEC)

MISSION

  1. Promote parent-professional collaboration in all facets of planning, designing, and implementing early childhood intervention services.
  2. Advocate for policy planning and best practice in prevention and intervention that supports young children with special needs and their families in integrated settings. Respect for family values, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and family circumstances are integral considerations in DEC's prevention and intervention efforts.
  3. Support those who work with or on behalf of infants and young children with special needs and their families by promoting collaboration and communication, innovations in research, dissemination and use of information, and professional development.
  4. Support the goals of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members.
CONTACT: Kathleen McKinnon President kmm25@psu.edu



Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD)

MISSION The mission of the Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children (DLD/CEC) is to improve the education and life success of individuals with learning disabilities. As an international professional organization, DLD:

  • Advocates on behalf of individuals with learning disabilities
  • Promotes forums for discussion of related issues
  • Promotes best educational practices
  • Provides forums for discussion of related issues
  • Promotes research and disseminates results
  • Provides professional development for those concerned with the education of individuals with learning disabilities
  • Recommends professional standards
  • Encourages interdisciplinary interaction
CONTACT Carolyn Bernato President cberenato@sju.edu ADDITIONAL RESOURCES



Division for Physical and Health Impairments (DPHD)

MISSION:

  1. To promote the continued development of adequate resources and programs that address the many areas of need associated with serving children and adults with physical and/or multiple disabilities, and special health care needs.
  2. To monitor and disseminate relevant and timely information on current issues, relevant strategies, adaptations, and research through the annual CEC convention professional meetings, training programs, and publications.
  3. To provide technical assistance and pre-service & in-service education.
  4. To advocate for funds and policies that promote supportive legislation and funding for persons with physical disabilities, multiple disabilities, and special health care needs.
  5. To support the activities, policies, and procedures of CEC and other CEC divisions.
OVERVIEW The Division for Physical and Health Disabilities (DPHD) is the official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) that advocates for quality education for all individuals with physical disabilities, multiple disabilities, and special health care needs served in schools, hospitals, or home settings. CONTACT: Rodney Warfield President rwarfield@ald.edu ADDITIONAL RESOURCES



Division on Visual Impairments (DVI)

MISSION

  1. To assist students with visual impairments achieve their greatest potential by optimizing social, recreational, educational, and vocational opportunities.
  2. To provide training and information sharing to professionals who are working with children who have visual impairments.
  3. To support the goals of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members.
CONTACT Dana Limongelli-Moore President dmoore@liu18.org ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:



Pioneer Division

MISSION

  1. To recognize and build upon the experiences of those who have been members of the Council for Exceptional Children for at least 20 years.
  2. To support the goals of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members.
CONTACT James Floyd President CEC Pioneer Activities CEC-PD members engage in a variety of valuable volunteer activities to advance the field of special education. Activities include:
  • Public speaking on topics that heighten awareness of the needs of special students.
  • Supporting CEC's programs and activities at all levels.
  • Facilitating the CEC Children and Youth Action Network (CAN).
  • Supporting agencies and organizations contributing to the welfare of exceptional children and youth.
  • Coordinating the selection and presentation of The Romaine Mackie Leadership Award.
  • Establishing a Pioneer Award program for recognizing CEC members of long standing who have made notable contributions.
  • Assisting CEC members nearing retirement with information on activities and services such as group insurance programs, travel opportunities, investments, and leisure activities.
  • Publishing the Division newsletter, the Pioneers Press, exclusively for CEC-PD members, which includes information about the division's activities, updates on CEC governance and political action issues, news about division members, plans for the division as part of the CEC Annual International Convention and Expo, and announcements of events and opportunities of interest to CEC-PD members.
  • Each year at the CEC Annual Convention and Expo, the Pioneers renew acquaintances at the annual dinner as well as] sponsor a number of sessions and activities. The annual Showcase session highlights CEC-PD members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of special education and CEC.



The Association for the Gifted (TAG)

MISSION:

  1. To promote a better understanding of gifted and talented students and their special education needs among parents, educators, and the community.
  2. Disseminating relevant and timely information about the latest issues and trends in the education of the gifted and talented through professional meetings, training programs, and publications.
  3. Expanding the existing knowledge base about gifted and talented students and their needs.
  4. Developing professional teacher education and teacher certification models, supporting research opportunities, and identifying and honoring leadership in the field.
  5. Advocating for policies that promote supportive legislation and funding for the gifted and talented at the national, state, and local level.
  6. Supporting the activities, policies, and procedures of CEC and other CEC divisions.
OVERVIEW: The Association for the Gifted (TAG) is the official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) that helps both professionals and parents deal more effectively with one of our most precious resources: the gifted child. PA TAG includes parents, teachers, and other interested stakeholders, represents the interests of the gifted and talented. A PAGE representative sits on the Executive Board of PACEC in order to facilitate the two-way flow of information between our respective organizations. RESOURCES:



Technology and Media Division (TAM)

MISSION:

  1. To promote collaboration among educators and others interested in using technology and media to assist individuals with exceptional needs.
  2. To encourage the development of new appliances, technologies, and media that can benefit individuals with exceptionalities.
  3. To monitor and disseminate relevant and timely information through professional meetings, training programs, and publications.
  4. To coordinate the activities of educational and governmental agencies, business, and industry; develop and advance appropriate technical standards, and; provide technical assistance, in-service, and pre-service education on the uses of technology.
  5. To advocate for funds and policies that support the availability and effective use of technology in the field of special education.
OVERVIEW The Technology and Media Division (TAM) is the official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) that works to promote the availability and effective use of technology and media for individuals with disabilities and/or who are gifted. CONTACT Christa Bialka christa.bialka@villanova.edu



Teacher Education Division (TED)

MISSION:

  1. To promote the preparation and continuing professional development of effective professionals in Special Education and related fields.
  2. To encourage, nurture, and advance efficient and effective programs of development and preparation of pre-service special educators.
  3. To collaborate with other organizations on issues relating to teacher recruitment, development, and preparation, and to disseminate such information to its members.
  4. To support the goals of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members.
STRATEGIC GOALS:
  1. Foster professionalism by providing professional development resources and opportunities for those who provide pre-service continuing professional development to personnel who work with individuals with diverse abilities and disabilities and their families.
  2. Stimulate the production and dissemination of a knowledge base related to the professional development of personnel who work with individuals with diverse abilities and disabilities and their families.
  3. Establish and maintain relationships with appropriate organizations including CEC units which we have common interests related to our mission.
  4. Maintain and enhance the organizational viability of TED.
  5. Influence policy that affects the professional development of personnel working with individuals with diverse abilities and their families.
  6. TED addresses systemic change through:
  • encouraging reform,
  • improving outcomes and environments,
  • bettering the environments in which educators practice, and
  • supporting and stimulating improved professional status.
CONTACT Christa Bialka christa.bialka@villanova.edu