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CEC's 2009-2011 Strategic Plan

The Council for Exceptional Children’s 2009-2011 Strategic Plan features six goals to improve the education of children and youth with exceptionalities and the involvement of their families, support informed professional practice, and strengthen our professional community. These goals and their related objectives provide direction and focus for the Council’s work over the next three years. Strategies to realize the goals build on the successes of the 2006-2008 Strategic Plan.

Download the CEC 2009-2011 Strategic Plan as a PDF.

TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS

Goal 1: To improve the conditions of teaching and learning and support the highest quality of services for individuals with exceptionalities.

Issue Statement: Improved teaching and learning conditions are required to prepare, recruit, and retain quality professionals in special education and early intervention so that every child and youth with exceptionalities receives quality services and supports from caring and competent professional educators. These improvements must begin with initial preparation programs and continue through career-long professional development. Professional learning communities, which encourage collaboration, are needed to support effective practices by special and general educators and to support implementation of evidence-based practices. Finally, professional development and advocacy directed toward all levels of administrators must be enhanced to encourage educational leaders to establish strong expectations for the use of effective and validated instructional practice, to reduce the disproportionate representation of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to increase administrative support for special education.

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES

Goal 2: To foster and effectively communicate the use of evidence-based practices in general and special education and early intervention.

Issue Statement:  There is a growing interest in evidence-based practices that address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities. There is currently confusion regarding exactly what evidence-based practices are, how they can be evaluated, and how they can be identified and utilized with these individuals. Further, we need to examine carefully the context of the evidence base by addressing questions like “Evidence base for which students? And under what circumstances?” to ensure that the needs of diverse students have been addressed. The evidence base must reflect the theoretical and research foundation, the inclusion of professional wisdom, and respect for family and community values. As the trusted source for professional knowledge, CEC can provide the leadership and guidance needed to help the field move toward increasing the use of evidence-based practices and approaches.

INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Goal  3: To foster mutual understanding and reciprocal partnerships internationally, supporting professionals in improving the lives of individuals with exceptionalities.

Issue Statement:  Educational systems throughout the world are working to address needs of individuals with exceptionalities. CEC can provide avenues to foster mutual understanding and reciprocal partnerships to gain a broader understanding and respect of the world’s cultures, educational values and practices, and research.

COMMUNITY AND MEMBERSHIP

Goal 4: To promote growth and diversity in membership by building a more engaged community to enhance professional practice, learning, leadership, and collaboration.

Issue Statement:  Associations continue to experience increased competition for traditional core services while experiencing societal and demographic trends that impact membership affiliation and retention. Sustaining success in such a dynamic environment entails having a reputation for value, an enjoyable culture based on trust and communication, and a nimble infrastructure for quickly seizing opportunities to create value. Success for the Council and its state and provincial affiliates and divisions is explicitly interrelated in terms of being a diverse inclusive community rich in leadership opportunities. Maintaining a strong, vibrant organization with actively engaged members and empowering the leadership of these units is critical to the growth of the association.

PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY

Goal 5:  To advance governmental policies impacting the teaching and learning of individuals with exceptionalities and the practice of professionals who work on their behalf.

Issue Statement: Vigorous sustained advocacy is required to ensure that programs are funded in accordance with authorization levels and that affirmative actions are taken to meaningfully address shortages of high-quality professionals within special education and early intervention. New accountability standards are impacting the delivery of educational services and objectives for individuals with exceptionalities. CEC must continue to lead efforts to strengthen national and state/provincial policies and funding to support educational and early intervention services and programs for individuals with exceptionalities and their families; advocate for a sufficient supply of highly qualified personnel reflective of the diversity of society; and empower educational leaders to support conditions for appropriate learning and teaching.

ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Goal 6:  To continuously improve organizational performance and fiduciary effectiveness to provide value to members and customers.

Issue Statement:  Productive and efficient operations and management and careful financial stewardship are essential to continuous enhanced performance and the Council’s ability to deliver cost-effective, value-added programs and services. Successful organizations are committed to mission, customer service, analysis and feedback, dialogue and engagement, and organizational adaptability. Ongoing evaluation of objectives and success indicators from the strategic plan are critical to ensuring that goals are achieved. Documenting the strategies used to achieve these goals and disseminating the information to the membership will support a more engaged and informed membership. Disciplined thought and action will be required to grow membership and increased participation in fee-based programs and services.  

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