| 1922 |
The International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children is organized by a group of administrators and supervisors attending the summer session at Teachers College, Columbia University, and their faculty members on August 10, 1922. The Council begins with 12 members. Elizabeth E. Farrell was the Founder and first President, 1922 26. |
| 1923 |
First annual meeting held in Cleveland, Ohio. |
| 1924 |
CEC affiliates with the National Education Association. |
| 1941 |
A merger with the Special Education Department of the NEA resulted in CEC's becoming a department of the National Education Association. |
| 1942 |
Journal of Exceptional Children (renamed Exceptional Children in 1951) becomes property of CEC. |
| 1947 |
Constitution amended to provide for establishment of federations. |
| 1953 |
Constitution revised to provide for divisions. |
| 1958 |
CEC renamed The Council for Exceptional Children. Committee on Canadian Affairs established, later called the CEC Canadian Committee (1968), then the Canadian Council for Exceptional Children (1979). |
| 1963 |
J.E. Wallace Wallin Special Education Lifetime Achievement Award established; first awarded to Harley Z. Wooden (1964). |
| 1964 |
CEC Outstanding Public Service Award initiated. |
| 1965 |
Student CEC authorized; Sidney Stowe, Texas Women's University, is elected the first SCEC president. |
| 1966 |
CEC receives U.S. Office of Education grant to operate the ERIC Clearinghouse on Exceptional Children. |
| 1968-69 |
TEACHING Exceptional Children initiated. |
| 1969 |
CEC withdrew from NEA. |
| 1972 |
CEC celebrates 50th Anniversary at the 1972 Convention in Washington, DC. |
| 1975 |
The Education For All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) is passed. CEC was the principal force in bringing to the U.S. Congress the need for such a law and building the support for its passage. |
| 1978 |
CEC's First World Congress on Future Special Education convenes at the University of Stirling in Stirling, Scotland, with over 2,000 participants from 39 countries. |
| 1980 |
Delegate Assembly authorized divisions to organize and operate subdivisions. |
| 1984 |
Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Award established; first awarded to Mary-Dean Barringer (1985). |
| 1988 |
CEC Outstanding Leadership Award established; first awarded to June B. Jordan and Kenneth E. Wyatt (1989). |
| 1989 |
CEC Special Education Research Award established; first awarded to Melvyn I. Semmel (1991). |
| 1992 |
CEC Business Award established; first awarded to Labert Machine Products Company, Somerville, New Jersey (1993). |
| 1994 |
CEC Today newsletter premiered at the CEC Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado. |
| 1997 |
CEC celebrates 75th Anniversary at the 1997 convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. |
| 1998 |
Commission established to improve special education teaching conditions. |
| 2000 |
CEC released report on special education teaching conditions, "Bright Futures," which received national media attention. CEC adopted new governance structure: a Board of Directors, elected by the membership; and a Representative Assembly. |
| 2001 |
First member-wide election for CEC officers. |
| 2002 |
CEC celebrates 80th Anniversary at the 2002 Convention in New York, New York. |
| 2003 |
CEC produces policy stating that all students with disabilities should be included in assessment and accountability systems. |
| 2004 |
CEC helps guide Congress in the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004. |
| 2008 |
CEC Board of Directors adopts new Core Values, Mission, and Vision. |
| 2009 |
CEC achieves a significant victory in its long-time quest for full funding of IDEA; Congress passes and President Obama signs the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which includes an historic increase in IDEA funding, creating unprecedented opportunities in the field of special education. |
| 2010 |
CEC Board of Directors adopts new Ethnical Principles for Special Education Professionals. |
