Why Attend the CEC 2014 Convention & Expo?

General Info
Who Should Attend
Making the Case to Your Supervisor

General Info

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) invites you to join us for the premier professional development event dedicated to special and gifted education: the CEC 2014 Convention & Expo, April 9-12 in Philadelphia.

Convention Program Chair Russell Gersten and the 2014 Program Advisory Committee are planning hundreds of educational sessions in a variety of formats to meet every learner's needs. Join us to:

  • Participate in the many rich opportunities to learn and engage in dialogue about the field's most important topics, including:
    • Teacher effectiveness
    • Universal design for learning
    • Collaboration
    • Response to intervention
    • Evidence-based instructional strategies
    • Common core state standards
    • Restraint and seclusion
    • Alternative schools
    • Autism
    • Mental health
    • Classroom management
    • And much more.
  • Network with internationally renowned experts in special education and discuss the latest research and most promising instructional strategies.
  • Register for one of the full- or half-day preconvention workshops. These workshops provide focused content delivery and time to absorb and learn, enriching your convention experience.
  • Celebrate the accomplishments of colleagues and students by participating in special events, including the Opening General Session, the Teacher of the Year Brunch, and the Yes I Can! Awards ceremony.
  • Browse the Expo Hall, brimming with cutting-edge products and services.
  • Investigate new career opportunities with onsite recruiters.

You won't want to miss this chance to further your professional growth, catch up on what's happening in the field, learn about the latest in evidence-based practices, expand your knowledge, and broaden your perspectives—all while enjoying historic Philadelphia.

Who Should Attend

  • Special educators and early interventionists
  • General educators working closely with special educators
  • Administrators and supervisors
  • Teacher educators
  • Researchers
  • Related service professionals
  • Psychologists and diagnosticians
  • Curriculum specialists and facilitators
  • University students
  • Parents, paraprofes sionals, and others with a keen interest in special, early, and gifted education

Making the Case to Your Supervisor

Many school districts' and universities' travel and professional development budgets have been considerably reduced. Regardless of the merits of the CEC Annual Convention & Expo (and we think there are many!), you may need to justify it to your supervisor. Here are some things you will want to consider:

  • Focus on what you will specifically bring back to your school, school district, college/university, or organization.
  • Offer to prepare and deliver a short presentation and Q&A to your colleagues to share what you learned and the resources you have discovered. That way, others will get the benefits of your attendance, too.
  • If you need Continuing Education Units, remind your supervisor that CEC 2014 is a great way to earn CE hours (for strands, the institute, and preconvention workshops) and is less expensive than registering for separate conferences. It also requires less time away from the office.
  • Share your plans as to how things will be taken care of while you are away.
  • Offer to share a hotel room to reduce expenses.

We hope to see you in Philadelphia in 2014!