The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

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The Top 10 Reasons for joining the Council for Exceptional Children

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CEC is the leading voice for special and gifted education. The Council ensures the needs of children and youth with exceptionalities are met in educational legislation, establishes professional standards for the field, and develops initiatives to improve special education practice.

Additionally, CEC is known as a quality source for evidence-based information, resources, and professional development for special educators. As a Member of CEC you can receive the following Personal and Professional Benefits:

1. CEC Publications Stay on the cutting edge with the high-impact, up-to-the-minute information you receive from CEC's member publications:

• Teaching Exceptional Children- actionable and useful articles to teach and administer programs for children with disabilities and/or who are gifted (6 issues per year).

• Exceptional Children- original research on the education and development of children with exceptionalities in practical terms that you can bring into your classroom (4 issues per year).

• CEC Today- member newsletter keeps you up-to-date on professional and legal developments (4 issues per year, online).

2. Books, Media and Training CEC's articles, books, videos, and CD ROMS cover the entire agenda of social, legal and educational issues of children with exceptionalities. Our resource catalog is crammed with resources and materials specifically for special educators.

3. Career Development CEC's continuing education programs, including the CEC Annual Convention and Expo, provide groundbreaking information, state-of-the-art resources, and new ways of reaching students. CEC also provides you with essential training programs, materials, planning, and continuing education opportunities.

4. Advocacy and Support CEC members are an integral part of CEC's advocacy efforts for the rights of children and youth with exceptionalities, as well as the special needs of the educators who serve them. CEC is a major voice in Congress, the courts, and the U.S. Department of Education. CEC has launched a comprehensive program to make the educational community and the public aware of teacher shortages and special education teaching conditions. No other organization is more active - or more effective.

5. Discounts on Educational Resources CEC members enjoy savings of up to 30% on all CEC publications and professional development events including the CEC Annual Convention & Expo.

6. Career Connections Register your resume, view special education job postings, and access a list of recruiters - all on Career Connections, the only job bank on the Internet devoted exclusively to special education professionals.

7. Insurance and other economic benefits New! Comprehensive Health Insurance.Potentially save thousands on health insurance. Plan options include Health Savings Accounts, Family PPO Plans and Group Employee Health Plans.

• Life, long term care, disability, and Auto Insurance through CEC

• Professional Liability and Other Insurance

• Council for Exceptional Children MasterCard Credit Card

• CD’s and Money Market Accounts

• Rental Car Discounts

• Retirement Planning Professional Liability and Other Insurance

• New! Identity Theft Protection

8. Professional Divisions Join one or more of the 17 CEC special interest divisions, allowing you to tailor your participation to your particular area(s) of expertise. Each division publishes journals and newsletters, sponsors conferences and other professional development activities, facilitates political action on issues that directly affect your practice and interests, and provides unique networking opportunities to bring you closer with experts and your professional peers.

9. Peer Networking and Leadership Opportunities CEC's 17 special-interest divisions, 59 state/provincial units and hundreds of local chapters make you part of the most extensive network of professional special educators in existence today. CEC provides a wide range of opportunities for members to serve in leadership positions at the local, state/provincial, and international level.

10. Up-to-the-Minute Access via the Web At the CEC Web site you'll get the latest updates, on news in special education, participate in CEC's listserve, join or renew CEC membership, register for professional development events, and order books and other quality resources online.

Student members preparing for employment and performing educational duties under the supervision of a licensed educator can purchase an individual $1 million policy for an annual premium of only $15. The policy is the same as that offered to professional members, but does not include job protection benefits.

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