COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN

Programs

1. Convention: the Council for Exceptional Children's (cec) annual convention & expo is the largest international gathering of special education professionals. Each year, thousands of educators, administrators, researchers, and advocates come together to share the latest research, best practices, and innovations in the field. The convention offers hundreds of sessions across a wide range of topics, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities that help participants strengthen their skills and advance outcomes for students with disabilities. The expo showcases tools, technologies, and resources that support effective practice. More than a conference, the cec convention is a vibrant community experience that inspires collaboration and empowers educators to make a greater impact.

   $1,905,174 spent$3,048,321 earned by the program
   28% of program spending

2. Professional development: cec offers high-quality professional development designed to meet the evolving needs of special educators at every stage of their careers. Through webinars, online courses, workshops, custom trainings, and in-person learning at the annual convention & expo, cec provides practical strategies, evidence-based practices, and the latest research in special education. Professional development opportunities cover a wide range of topics, from classroom management and instructional practices to policy and leadership. With flexible formats and expert-led content, cec equips educators with the tools and confidence they need to support students with disabilities and advance their professional growth.

   $1,486,145 spent
   22% of program spending

3. Outreach:professional preparation standards: the Council for Exceptional Children's professional preparation standards define the specialized expertise special educators must master for safe and effective practice. These standards are used to inform special educator preparation programs, accreditation organizations, and credentialing agencies. From our earliest days, we've recognized the critical role of standards in defining special education as a profession. In 1922, at its inaugural meeting, the founders of cec identified the establishment of professional standards as one of the primary aims of the organization. We've embraced this responsibility to have been a leader among education associations in the development of ethical principles, preparation standards, and resources for using the standards. Cec has and continues to use a collaborative process that ensures that its standards are current, research-based, and designed to fully address the knowledge and skills special educators must master.yes I can awards: cec's yes I can awards recognize the accomplishments of students with disabilities who have demonstrated excellence in areas such as academics, arts, self-advocacy,…

   $1,403,380 spent
   20% of program spending

4. Membership: cec's membership program connects special education professionals to a community dedicated to improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Members gain access to trusted resources, including journals and publications, practice guidance, policy updates, and professional development opportunities. Membership also offers access to cec's annual convention & expo, online learning, and specialty divisions focused on specific areas of practice. Beyond resources, membership provides a network of peers and mentors who share knowledge, offer support, and strengthen the collective voice of the field.

   $1,301,876 spent$1,636,639 earned by the program
   19% of program spending

5. Policy & standards: cec leads national efforts to advance policies that improve outcomes for students with disabilities and the professionals who serve them. Through direct engagement with lawmakers, coalition partnerships, and grassroots mobilization of its members, cec advocates for strong federal investments in special education, evidence-based practices, and equitable access to services. The organization provides timely policy updates and resources that help educators understand and influence the legislative process. By amplifying the voices of special education professionals, cec ensures that critical issues in the field remain at the forefront of education policy.

   $511,034 spent
   7% of program spending

6. Accreditation: cec accreditation provides educational programs with a program of self-study for critical examination of how they prepare special educators for the demands of teaching special education. Through three cycles of data collection and analysis focusing on the knowledge, skills, and competency development of students, programs document their evidence-based practices and innovative special educator preparation practices. Ec accreditation is focused on developing candidate proficiencies, candidate performance on cec standards, public accountability, and contextual indicators of quality in alignment to the existing cec professional preparation standards.

   $263,191 spent$927,904 earned by the program
   4% of program spending

The 6 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $6,870,800.