| 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. |
