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The Council for Exceptional Children works with policymakers on Capitol Hill, in the administration, and throughout the federal government to shape legislation that advances the lives of individuals...
Policy/Advocacy
The CEC Impact Award
Award type:
Last Updated:
2 February, 2026
The CEC Impact Award recognizes an individual or community/corporate organization that has had an impact on CEC’s strategic work and/or the field of special education.
Self-nominations are not accepted. Nominations can be made year-round.
Deadline:
December 31, 2026
Presented by:
CEC National
IDEA at 50—Progress, Equity, and the Work Ahead: The Editors
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark civil rights law born of advocacy and struggle that aimed to fundamentally reshape the...
Journal Name:
Exceptional Children
Publish date:
08/25/2025
A Refusal to Normalize Homogeneity, Inequity, and Exclusion in Special Education
When we began the editorship of Exceptional Children (EC) less than 2 years ago, we expressed our intention to continue strengthening the range and relevance of scholarship published in our field of...
Journal Name:
Exceptional Children
Publish date:
05/30/2025
Critical Special Education: Navigating Special Education Realities and Working Toward the Ideals of Disability Studies in Education
There are two divergent perspectives about how best to understand and serve students with disabilities: Traditional Special Education and Disability Studies in Education. These fields represent...
Journal Name:
Exceptional Children
Publish date:
05/08/2025
Existence and Persistence During Divisive and Uncertain Times
In recent years, the concerted efforts to roll back progress in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives have posed an existential threat to special education and the...
Journal Name:
Exceptional Children
Publish date:
03/18/2025
Rightful Presence? Teacher Candidates Navigating Inclusive Education for Youth With Complex Support Needs
The purpose of this study, grounded in rightful presence and disability studies in education, was to examine contextual factors and teacher candidates’ agentic moves when transforming schools towards...
Journal Name:
Exceptional Children
Publish date:
03/11/2025
Deeping the Commitment to Our Editorial Vision and Recognizing Areas for Comprehensive Reform in Special Education
In our first year as editors of Exceptional Children (EC), we shared our vision to advance equitable educational access, participation, and outcomes for children and youth with disabilities by...
Journal Name:
Exceptional Children
Publish date:
12/16/2024
A Review of U.S. Policy Guidance and Legislation on Restraint and Seclusion in Schools: Considerations for Improvement
Restraint and seclusion (R/S) are practices employed by schools to address severe student behavior. Although the use of R/S has been shown to have harmful impact for students, staff, and schools...
Journal Name:
Exceptional Children
Publish date:
04/18/2024
Member Advocacy Spotlight: Dr. Sarah Howorth, Vice President of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD)
Following the October 10 reduction-in-force that decimated the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), educators and families nationwide have sounded the alarm about what the loss of...
Publish Date:
November 03, 2025